During a hearing on Wednesday, New Hampshire state officials rejected several requests from former Senator Andy Sanborn’s attorneys regarding the forced sale of Concord Casino. Assistant Attorney General Mark Dell’Orfano emphasized that while selling the casino might benefit Sanborn, it does not align with the public’s interest.
“It’s in Mr. Sanborn’s commercial interests to sell his business to someone, if he wishes,” Dell’Orfano stated, according to the New Hampshire Bulletin. “It’s not in the public’s interest that that sale happened and closed. It just isn’t.”
This stance contrasts with views from state budget officials and local charities, who heavily rely on casino revenues. In May alone, nearly $3 million was directed to public education and around $3.4 million to charitable causes from casino profits. If Sanborn completes the sale by the state’s September 30 deadline, Concord Casino’s financial contributions would continue.
Urgent Need for Sale
Without the sale, the casino’s horse racing license will expire, causing a significant revenue loss for both the state and charities. A legislative moratorium blocks new historic horse racing licenses from being issued until 2028, adding urgency to the situation.
Sanborn’s attorneys criticized the state’s opposition as detrimental. “Yes, obviously it’s in Mr. Sanborn’s interest to sell… But what’s actually at stake here is hundreds of thousands of dollars or more likely millions of dollars that won’t be going to the state and not going to charities,” argued attorney Adam Katz, per the cited source.
Senator Tim Lang underscored the importance of casino revenue in supporting state-funded services and charities. “Without that, the state would pick up a portion of (services charities provide). This is a way to help the charities of New Hampshire without direct state involvement,” Lang noted.
The state’s decision to revoke Sanborn’s gaming license followed an investigation into alleged pandemic fraud involving Sanborn and his wife, Representative Laurie Sanborn. They deny the allegations and have not been charged. Sanborn’s legal team negotiated a suspension of the license instead of revocation by agreeing to sell the casino. However, potential criminal charges have deterred some buyers, complicating the sale process.
Administrative Law Judge Gregory Albert encouraged both sides to find common ground, recognizing the regulatory challenges in such transactions. Sanborn’s attorney Zachary Hafer expressed shock at Dell’Orfano’s statements, accusing the Attorney General’s Office of prioritizing personal vendettas over public and charitable interests.
“The AG’s position is directly contrary to the Legislature’s adoption of charity gaming, (the ruling allowing Sanborn to sell), and the entire mission of the Lottery Commission. It suggests that the AG would rather injure Mr. Sanborn personally than facilitate substantial additional revenue for NH and its charities,” Hafer said.
Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre distinguished between the public interest in charitable gaming and the private interest in the sale of a commercial gaming establishment. “A successful charitable gaming system is very much in the public interest… a potential private sale of any commercial gaming establishment is of a private commercial interest,” McIntyre stated.
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