New Hampshire: Littleton casino project moves toward construction following $10 million acquisition

A $10 million property acquisition along Meadow Street is moving into the construction phase, with Granite State Gaming planning a late June or early July start and targeting an early 2027 opening for its Littleton casino.

The development follows the purchase by casino developer Greg Carlin of the property currently occupied by a Staples office supply store, along with an adjacent parcel that previously housed Tire Warehouse.

Carlin, who began exploring opportunities in New Hampshire after changes in state gaming laws, is also behind the Lilac Club Casino in Rochester, which opened in March 2025, and the Beach Club Casino in Hampton Beach.

Following the acquisition, Staples must receive a four-month notice before vacating the 23,000-square-foot building. Construction is expected to begin once the site is cleared. No exterior or foundational changes to the building are planned.

“At Lilac, it took us a good nine months to get through construction,” said Eric Barbaro, CEO of Granite State Gaming and Hospitality, as reported by Nashua Ink Link.

Planned gaming floor, staffing, and access policy

The Littleton casino is planned at a smaller scale than the Rochester property. It is expected to include 150 to 200 electronic gaming machines, about 12 table games, and a restaurant. Staffing is projected at 60 to 80 full-time roles across functions, including security, cash handling, food service, finance, marketing, and maintenance.

“Working in a casino is like working in a small town,” Barbaro said. “We have every component that you’d find, just like at a resort.”

The company intends to restrict access to patrons aged 21 and older, despite New Hampshire regulations allowing entry for individuals 18 and above.

“We don’t see the value of having 18- to 20-year-olds,” Barbaro said. “We were the first company to say 21-plus, even though 18 is allowed.”

Shift toward Class III machines following state restrictions

The Littleton site will operate with Class III gaming machines that rely on random number generators. This approach follows a 2024 decision by the New Hampshire Legislature to implement a 7-year moratorium on historical horse racing (HHR) machines.

“At the end of the day, we’re seeing great demand in both the HHR and Class III machines,” Barbaro said. “We just started to transition our mix here in Lilac and at Hampton Beach, and the Class III machines seem to be getting more demand from our players. They enjoy the Class III games. We are planning on bringing to Littleton all Class III games.”

Parking layout and site configuration under review

The adjacent parcel acquired by Carlin may be used for additional parking. Previous plans indicated a potential increase from 115 to 185 spaces to accommodate both patrons and staff.

Other businesses in the vicinity, including a state liquor store and nearby retail outlets, are expected to remain in operation.

Barbaro said the development team is proceeding on the assumption that no additional local approvals are required, given that casino licenses have been granted by the state and the site is located within a commercial district.

During earlier public discussions in 2023, some residents raised concerns regarding crime, gambling addiction, and the potential impact on local businesses. Barbaro referenced the company’s experience in Rochester, where similar concerns were raised prior to the opening of the Lilac Club Casino.

The Rochester property includes 230 electronic gaming machines, 12 table games such as poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, and carnival games, along with 12 electronic table games, and employs about 130 full-time staff.

Under New Hampshire’s charitable gaming framework, a portion of gaming revenue must be directed to nonprofit organizations. Carlin previously said the Littleton casino could generate up to $2 million annually for local nonprofits and support up to 104 groups.

The company also plans to host networking events for nonprofits and maintain an updated list of participating organizations each year.