By Guy Page
A New Hampshire casino company plans to build a new casino and entertainment venue just across the Connecticut River from Vermont in Littleton, NH.
Littleton is on the state line and accessible by both freeway and state highways to St. Johnsbury in about a 20-minute drive. If constructed as plan, the casino would be the closest to central and northeastern Vermont.
An affiliate of Granite State Gaming & Hospitality has purchased the Kilburn Ledge property in Littleton, where it intends to develop a charitable gaming premises.
Charities are entitled to at least 35% of charitable gaming profits under NH state law. Charitable groups must be registered with the New Hampshire Secretary of State and the New Hampshire Charitable Trust Division of the Attorney General’s office for at least two years to run charitable gaming events.
Casino gambling is not legal in Vermont. S.318, authorizing casino gambling, was introduced by Sen. Chris Mattos (R-Chittenden North) and is now on the walk of the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs.
Recent changes in Vermont law permit online gambling, and the State of Vermont operates a lottery and permits participation in multi-state lotteries.
According to the Caledonian-Record Daily newspaper, which covers the Littleton NH area as well as Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, the Meadow Street property cited in the press release includes the building housing Staples, which is expected to vacate the premises by June 26.
Construction is expected to begin this summer, with design and planning already well underway. The company is working with Chicago-based DMAC Architecture & Interiors to create a facility that blends modern gaming amenities with design elements reflecting the region’s landscape and history.
“This acquisition is a vital step in building a sustainable, community-focused gaming model for Northern New Hampshire,” said Eric Barbaro, the company’s chief operating officer.
Granite State Gaming & Hospitality operates existing charitable gaming venues in Hampton Beach and Rochester, where a portion of gaming proceeds is directed to nonprofit organizations. Company officials say those operations have generated more than $4 million for veterans’ groups, youth programs and other community services.
The planned Littleton development is expected to create more than 60 jobs and expand funding opportunities for local nonprofits, while also increasing regional tourism and vendor activity.
The project will still need to move through regulatory review as it advances. Further details are expected as construction approaches and permitting decisions are finalized.