Opportunity with guardrails

A North Country approach to charitable gaming

Brennan Ward

In New Hampshire’s small and rural towns, including those scattered north of Franconia Notch, where I’m from, the economic burden is often heavier. Lasting success depends on engaged local leaders and a motivated small business community, because help from Concord or Washington, D.C. is rarely on its way.

When economic growth slows and federal programs become harder to navigate, communities are forced to ask hard questions about sustainability. One area that deserves a more thoughtful, open-minded discussion is charitable gaming.

Too often, charitable gaming is framed as a threat rather than as a potential partner. That mindset risks overlooking what makes New Hampshire’s economy unique. The New Hampshire Advantage has always been about balancing low taxes with local control. When approached responsibly, charitable gaming fits squarely within that tradition.

At its best, charitable gaming provides three things rural communities need more of: charitable giving, a broader tax base and increased tourism.

Perhaps most important is the financial support it provides to local nonprofits, who could desperately use it as federal funding tightens and grants become harder to secure. Recent figures show what’s possible. The Nash Casino in Nashua recently distributed $2.9 million to 18 local nonprofits in a single giving cycle. Facilities operated by Revo Casino and Social House have contributed more than $9 million to over 250 organizations statewide. Granite State Gaming & Hospitality offers a strong partnership model, working closely with nonprofits and local leaders while projecting millions in annual charitable giving and payroll benefits through its Rochester facility. Investments at their Lilac Club and Beach Club also reflect a focus on long-term community impact.

Rural towns are feeling growing pressure on property taxpayers. Infrastructure costs don’t shrink just because a town is small. Roads, schools, emergency services and public safety still require funding. A stronger commercial tax base can help ease that burden without shifting more costs onto residents who are already stretched thin.

Tourism is another key part of the equation, especially in the North Country. Seasonal visitors support restaurants, lodging, retail and outdoor recreation businesses that many rural communities rely on. Charitable gaming and entertainment venues can complement this economy by offering year-round attractions that encourage visitors to stay longer and spend locally beyond peak seasons.

Living in southern New Hampshire, I’ve seen firsthand the quality of today’s gaming and entertainment facilities. When done right, they are clean, professionally managed and designed with community integration in mind.

If people want to gamble, they will. The real question is whether communities capture those benefits or allow them to go elsewhere.

That said, towns must be clear-eyed.

Not every proposal deserves a green light. Operators who resist transparency, avoid public engagement or offer vague commitments around charitable giving, local hiring or reinvestment should give leaders pause. Promises without written agreements, shifting timelines or reluctance to share financial projections are signals to slow down.

Communities should insist on clear operating standards, measurable charitable benchmarks and defined expectations for reinvestment. Secondary impacts may include traffic, emergency services, workforce pressures and effects on existing businesses, which must be addressed upfront, not after doors open. Independent legal and financial review, public listening sessions and ongoing reporting offer important safeguards.

Most importantly, approval is not the finish line. It marks the start of a long-term relationship. Communities that stay engaged and demand accountability are far more likely to turn charitable gaming into a true partner rather than a missed opportunity.

After nearly two decades working on advocacy and public awareness efforts at the federal, state and local levels, one lesson stands out: Being an active partner is not the same as being a loud detractor. Leaders who engage early and remain involved are far more likely to shape outcomes that become assets instead of eyesores.

Community leaders should open lines of communication with operators but not accept proposals at face value. Being a prepared advocate means defining expectations early, seeking input from community stakeholders and keeping the public involved beyond approval. Ongoing dialogue helps ensure operators remain accountable and aligned with community values over time.

New Hampshire’s strength has always come from pragmatic problem-solving and local decision-making. Charitable gaming, when approached thoughtfully, can be an economic generator and community partner for rural towns. The challenge is not whether these opportunities exist, but whether communities are willing to shape them into outcomes they can be proud of.

Brennan Ward has nearly two decades of experience in public affairs and strategic communications, shaped by work in Washington, D.C., with deep roots in New Hampshire’s North Country. He can be reached at BWard@novuspublicaffairs.com.