New Hampshire Judge Revokes Sanborn’s Casino Licence

In one of the most contentious and prolonged legal battles in U.S. gaming, New Hampshire judge Gregory Albert’s recent ruling has effectively brought an end to the saga surrounding Andy Sanborn’s casino licence. On November 26, Albert upheld the state’s decision to revoke Sanborn’s licence for Concord Casino, following a tumultuous series of events that began nearly a year ago when the state forced him to close and sell the casino.

The revocation ruling cements the state’s previous stance, which had already deemed the licence revoked and rejected a proposed sale. While Sanborn may still sell the casino property, without the critical historical horse racing (HHR) licence, the business remains essentially worthless. The revocation, which will last for two years, may still be appealed, a possibility Sanborn’s legal team has indicated they will pursue.

The legal dispute surrounding Sanborn, a former state senator, has been both drawn-out and highly publicized. The case dates back to August 2023, when New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella announced that Sanborn was deemed “unsuitable” for a casino licence. This designation stemmed from allegations that Sanborn had misappropriated nearly $850,000 in COVID-19 relief funds intended for the casino and his other businesses. The charges included the purchase of luxury cars—two Porsches for himself and a Ferrari for his wife, Representative Laurie Sanborn.

Despite the allegations, Sanborn has not been formally charged in connection with the misuse of funds and has since filed a lawsuit against Formella’s office. In January 2024, Sanborn was ordered to shutter and sell Concord Casino. Though the state initially sought to revoke his licence entirely, he was granted extensions to facilitate a sale. A buyer was eventually found, but state approval of the sale was rejected in September, primarily due to concerns over the deal’s structure.

The situation took another turn in October 2024 when Sanborn was arrested on charges of fraud. He is accused of misrepresenting Concord Casino’s gross receipts by about $1 million, resulting in a fraudulent overstatement of grant allowances. This charge significantly complicated the already fraught sale process. Under state law, anyone convicted of a felony is prohibited from holding a gaming licence for 10 years, raising concerns about the transfer of Sanborn’s liabilities to any potential new owner.

As a result of these legal troubles, Sanborn’s ability to sell the casino has been severely hindered. The state had been negotiating the terms of the sale, but with these additional complications, it now appears unlikely that the transaction will proceed. Sanborn’s legal team, led by attorneys Adam Katz and Zachary Hafer, has indicated they will appeal the ruling, claiming that the state’s refusal to allow the sale remains unclear.

“We hope the state will do the right thing voluntarily, but we are prepared to pursue our rights in court,” Hafer told New Hampshire Public Radio.

 

Judge Gregory Albert's ruling effectively cements the revocation of Andy Sanborn’s casino licence, leaving the Concord Casino’s future in limbo amid allegations of fraud and financial mismanagement.

 

The Future of Concord Casino

As it stands, the legal process is far from over. While Judge Albert’s decision this week marks a significant moment, it is not the final chapter. Sanborn has the option to appeal the ruling in court or before the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. However, with the two-year revocation in place and the sale of the casino complicated by fraud charges and the loss of the HHR licence, Sanborn’s ability to resolve the matter in his favor is diminishing.

The saga is likely to continue as Sanborn's team pursues a legal remedy, though the path to a successful resolution appears increasingly unclear. For now, the fate of Concord Casino—and Sanborn's role in its future—remains uncertain.