Delaware North has unveiled its intentions to convert the castle-like Sheraton Nashua hotel in New Hampshire into the expansive Gate City Casino & Hotel, spanning 93,000 square feet. This move involves relocating the existing gaming facility currently situated in an industrial park.
This initiative comes as New Hampshire's gaming industry experiences growth, following a legislative change last year that permitted charitable casinos to operate slot-style video lottery terminals (VLTs). These VLTs offer faster gameplay compared to the historical horse racing (HHR) machines that previously dominated the state’s 14 charitable gaming establishments.
Delaware North, which has managed Gate City Casino in Nashua since 2022, plans to shift the venue from its current industrial park setting to the Sheraton property. The company acquired the hotel in October of that year and has made significant investments in renovations, including a complete overhaul of guest rooms and suites.
The proposal presented to city officials aims to expand the existing hotel rather than replace it. The plans include the construction of a large casino floor and a multi-story parking garage on adjacent land, near an existing pond. The hotel’s unique Tudor-style façade, featuring its moat-like gatehouse porte-cochere and castle-inspired design elements, will remain intact.
Delaware North has a track record of transforming hotel properties into gaming venues. In collaboration with Suffolk Off-Track Betting, the company successfully redeveloped a hotel in Long Island into a casino, launching Jake’s 58 in 2017, which features over 1,000 gaming machines.
According to state regulations, gaming venues must designate two nonprofit beneficiaries each day, collectively receiving 35% of gross gaming revenue. The revenue distribution allocates 31% to the state, 2.5% to the New Hampshire Gaming Commission for regulatory expenses, and 0.25% to the Governor’s Commission on Addiction, Treatment, and Prevention, while casinos retain the remaining 31.25%.
If approved, this project would add to a select group of castle-themed casinos across the United States, including notable examples like the Excalibur Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, operated by MGM Resorts International, and the Cliff Castle Casino Hotel in Arizona.