Sale in the Cards for Suspended New Hampshire Casino Owner

Andy Sanborn, a former New Hampshire state Senator and owner of Concord Casino, faced accusations of improper use of more than $800,000 in COVID relief funds. Claims of the alleged fraudulent activity of the former senator emerged last year. Sanborn was accused of misusing some $844,000 in Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. The accusations against the former Senator emerged following an extensive eight-month investigation.

In light of the accusations and the ongoing probe, Sanborn’s Concord Casino at the Draft Sports Bar and Grill in Concord was shut down back on January 1, 2024. This happened after the New Hampshire Lottery Commission decided to suspend his gaming license.

Earlier this month, the set deadline for the appeal for Sanborn’s license suspension passed. The Lottery Commission set January 19, 2024, as a deadline but according to a report from the Concord Monitor, the regulator did not receive an appeal request from Sanborn.

This otherwise means that Concord Casino will remain closed for the time being. Additionally, the former Senator will now be required to sell the venue within six months. The whole process would be overseen by the Lottery Commission and the buyer needs to secure its approval in order to purchase Concord Casino.

Michael King, an examiner in the case, previously confirmed that in light of the seriousness of the accusations, the Commission may consider revoking Sanborn’s license. This may also happen in case the former Senator doesn’t sell the property within the timeframe set by the gambling regulator. In the meantime, the Commission explained that it has “been periodically reviewing surveillance to ensure that no gaming is taking place.”

Loan Funds Were Allegedly Used for a Lavish Lifestyle

Allegations against Sanborn state that he misused funds he was not eligible to obtain in the first place. Investigators claimed that he filed a COVID-19 relief funds application with a different company name, listing his gambling business as “miscellaneous,” thus voiding the prohibition for such businesses to benefit from loans.

With the $844,000 funds that were allegedly obtained fraudulently, Sanborn lived a lavish lifestyle. He allegedly spent some $80,000 for a Ferrari sports car for his wife along with $181,000 for two Porsche cars for himself. Additionally, accusations claim the former Senator paid some $183,000 to himself in the form of “rent” for his Concord Casino property.