Greg Carlin, Principal of New England Gaming & Consulting LLC, has confirmed that he has submitted a proposal to the City of Rochester for the opening of a charitable casino. The proposal states that GSG Rochester Propco LLC, a Manchester-based company owned by Carlin, intends to open a casino at a shopping mall called Lilac Mall. Carlin also sought a chance to introduce the proposal at the Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting, which is scheduled for September 11, 2023.

The under-crowded Lilac Mall was bought by the GSG Rochester Propco LLC of Manchester earlier this year. The sale of the property was officially marked down at the Strafford County Registry of Deeds on 4th of May.

For the last several months, members of the Rochester City Council have been preparing to bring a gambling-friendly property to the city. When Rochester Mayor Paul Callaghan was asked to make a comment on the possibility of opening a charitable casino in the city, he said that New England Gaming holds only one of the eleven permits that are available in New Hampshire for charitable gambling.

In May, the City Council approved a gaming ordinance, which mandates that sites where the casino is permitted must span a minimum of 20,000 square feet in addition to space for other operations. The ordinance also states that a casino location could be allowed in the highway commercial zone of the city, which includes route 11 and route 125, in addition to the so-called Granite Ridge zone.

Scott Tranchemontagne, a spokesperson for Carlin, however made it clear that the company would build its planned charitable gaming casino regardless of the vote that would determine the fate of a sportsbook in the city.

Giving explanation, Tranchemontagne added, “Only the sportsbook aspect of the casino needs voter approval. Although we could be a potential location for a sportsbook if it passes — the November vote is not related to our proposal. All that remains for the casino project to go ahead at the Lilac Mall is for the project to receive approval from the city Planning Board and other city permits.”

If approved, the proposed gaming property would be a new addition to the existing three DraftKings charitable casinos and sportsbooks (including Filotimo Casino & Restaurant at the Dower Bowl complex and Brook casino in Seabrook) in the state. Each charitable gaming casino in the state is obliged to share a part of its profits to support various non-profit organizations (NGOs).