New Charitable Casino Approved in New Hampshire

Salem, planning board last week gave the go-ahead to place a gaming property in a former Lord Taylor store.

By a five-to-two vote, officials approved the use at The Mall at Rockingham Park. The Live! Casino will cost about $160M to construct.

When it likely opens in 2025, the three-story space will include some 900 historic racing machines and about 40 gaming tables. It will also have a movie theater, sports lounge, golf simulators, retail shops, restaurants, bars, and space for live entertainment.

During the meeting, several concerns about the project were raised by Amy Manzelli, a lawyer representing neighboring property owners Jamie and Chris Cummings.

This application is not approvable because it does not provide enough information about how it will impact the neighborhood around it,” Manzelli argued before the planning board, according to the Eagle-Tribune. “It requires the consideration of public health and safety and the general welfare, comfort, and convenience of the residents of the immediate neighborhood.”

Issues Manzelli raised include public safety, traffic impact, lighting impact, and additional impacts on pedestrians and bicyclists. Other concerns were raised about a prior deed restriction that forbids gambling at the location.

But, many members of the public speaking at the meeting were supportive of the casino.

Ten years ago, the town voted in support to bring this type of facility to town,” Salem Town Council Chair Joe Sweeney said. “This is an exciting time and something the town has wanted for a bit. This is a positive development [and] I am supportive of.”

Construction is likely to start early next year. Later, the complex may add a hotel. The former Lord Taylor store located near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border has been vacant since 2020.

Based on current projections, the casino will generate approximately $31M in revenue each year to the state of New Hampshire and approved charities. Once open, it also will create more than 700 permanent jobs.

Developers of the project are Joe Faro and Sal Lupoli, as well as the

another charitable casino, located in Nashua s Pheasant Lane Mall, is expected to open soon.

The casino will include more than 1,000 historic horse race machines and dozens of table games. It will be placed in a two-story, 180K-square-foot former Sears store that s been vacant since 2020.

and Clairvest are the developers behind the casino.