The New Hampshire Supreme Court has upheld a sweeping state decision to strip former State Sen. Andrew Sanborn of his charitable gaming licenses, shutting down his efforts to salvage the Concord Casino after a federal fraud investigation.
In a decision reported by InDepthNH.org, the court affirmed rulings by the New Hampshire Lottery and Gaming Commission and the Attorney General’s Office. The state argued successfully that Sanborn and his corporate entity, Win Win Win, LLC, failed to meet the strict legal integrity standards required to operate charitable gambling in the state.
The legal battle stems from a state audit that uncovered the misuse of a COVID-19 relief grant. Investigators found that Sanborn diverted federal funds meant for business survival into luxury personal assets, upending his standing in the state’s tightly regulated gaming industry.
Federal Relief Funds Diverted to Luxury Cars
The regulatory collapse began when federal investigators scrutinized an Economic Injury Disaster Loan obtained through the Small Business Administration. Sanborn applied for an $844,000 loan, promising to use the proceeds exclusively as working capital for Win Win Win, which operated the Concord Casino out of the Draft Bar and Grill on South Main Street.
Instead, the U.S. Attorney’s office found that Sanborn diverted $255,232.72 for personal use. That sum included a $48,750 expenditure to purchase a 2006 Porsche Cayman for himself and his wife, former State Rep. Laurie Sanborn. In July, Sanborn pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to the theft of government funds and is currently awaiting sentencing. State prosecutors also brought charges accusing him of defrauding a separate pandemic financial relief program.
“Charitable gaming in New Hampshire must be conducted with integrity, transparency, and accountability,” said Attorney General Formella. “We are pleased the Supreme Court has affirmed the Commission’s decisions in this matter, as those decisions were made in furtherance of the Commission’s responsibility to ensure that all charitable gaming operators meet the requirements of New Hampshire law.”
Following the initial discoveries, the New Hampshire Lottery and Gaming Commission moved to revoke Sanborn’s licenses in 2023. That action followed a proposal by Sanborn to the Concord Planning Board for a much larger charity gaming facility on Concord Heights, a project that collapsed as regulatory scrutiny intensified.
Breaking: NH Supreme Court, in 3-0 ruling, denied all appeals of Concord Casino (Andy Sanborn) to NH Lottery denying his right to sell to prospective buyer after deadline. To be released after 12:30 pm today.
Regulators Blocked Casino Sale over Purchase Structure
When the state determined Sanborn was no longer a suitable person to hold gaming licenses, regulators ordered him to sell the casino within a strict deadline. Sanborn later claimed that the commission intentionally dragged its feet to sabotage potential buyers and push the sale past its expiration date.
Despite securing a reported $30 million agreement for the sale of the casino—contingent on state approval of the buyer—the transaction fell apart under regulatory review. The commission and the Attorney General’s Office determined that the proposed purchase structure allowed Sanborn to maintain operational involvement despite having already been found unsuitable to hold a license.
Regulators also concluded that the prospective buyer failed to demonstrate adequate financial resources to purchase and operate the facility. When Sanborn appealed the bundled decisions to the Supreme Court, he argued that his due process rights had been violated. The court dismissed the claim, noting that Sanborn failed to raise the constitutional argument during hearings before the commission, leaving it unpreserved for appeal.
With the Supreme Court’s affirmation, the state’s revocation of the Concord Casino gaming licenses and the rejection of the buyer’s application remain final, closing the chapter on Sanborn’s oversight of the enterprise.
