NH Judge Clears Path for Concord Casino Owner’s License Revocation

The former New Hampshire state Senator Andy Sanborn, owner of Concord Casino, may see his gaming license revoked in the latest chapter of the legal battle between him and the state.

Lawsuit Between the Owner of Concord Casino and New Hampshire Continues

Sanborn is in hot water over allegations of misusing pandemic relief funds. The suspected actions resulted in significant implications leading to the closure of the Concord Casino nearly a year ago, while the former senator was arrested last month over the alleged fraudulent actions that enabled him to access relief funds of nearly $200,000.

In a major hit for Sanborn, a judge greenlighted a potential suspension of his gaming license by the Lottery Commission. The ruling came from Judge Gregory Albert, who on Tuesday also greenlighted the possibility of Sanborn’s license to be revoked, as announced by NHPR.

The latest development further complicates the sale of Concord Casino, despite the previous attempts of the former senator to sell the venue. While previously, Sanborn was given several different deadlines and successfully extended them, the latest such deadline passed on November 21, 2024.

The former senator previously confirmed that there’s a potential buyer of the Concord Casino. However, the latest judge’s order may further complicate that process with the possibility of even threatening the completion of the sale. Provided that the Lottery Commission decides to go ahead with the license revocation, Sanborn may lose it for ten years. If this happens, the sale is unlikely to proceed at all, considering that the property alone isn’t as valuable as the charitable gaming license.

Sanborn, Prepared to Fight the Judge’s Order

Zachary Hafer and Adam Katz, the attorneys representing Sanborn in the case reaffirmed they are prepared to fight the recently imposed order, in court if necessary. Still, the lawyers agreed with the judge that a sale of Concord Casino would be in the best interest of the public. “We remain committed to the sale and look forward to closing,” they added.

“We agree with Judge Albert that the public interest overwhelmingly favors a sale,“

revealed Zachary Hafer and Adam Katz, attorneys representing Andy Sanborn

Concord Casino’s owner is accused of misrepresenting the finances of the venue by more than $1 million in order to gain access to more than $188,000 in pandemic relief funds from a program in New Hampshire. Separately, he is suspected of using more than $844,000 in COVID relief funds for personal expenses, including the purchase of luxury items and a couple of sports cars.