Delaware North has unveiled plans to transform the castle-like Sheraton Nashua hotel in New Hampshire into the expansive 93,000-square-foot Gate City Casino & Hotel, which involves migrating its current gaming operation located in an industrial park.
This proposal arrives as New Hampshire’s gaming industry expands, following a legislative adjustment last year permitting charitable casinos to host slot-style video lottery terminals (VLTs). These machines operate more swiftly than the historical horse racing (HHR) devices that were previously prevalent in the state’s 14 charitable gaming spots.
Delaware North, managing Gate City Casino in Nashua since 2022, aims to relocate the venue from its present industrial park setting to the Sheraton site. The company also purchased the hotel in October of that year and has made substantial investments in upgrades, which include a comprehensive renovation of guest rooms and suites.
According to the proposal submitted to city authorities, the initiative intends to enhance the existing hotel instead of replacing it. Proposed additions include a spacious casino floor and a multi-story parking structure on land adjacent to the property, near an existing pond. The hotel’s unique Tudor-style exterior, characterized by its moat-like entrance and castle-inspired architectural features will be preserved.
Delaware North has a history of repurposing hotels into gaming establishments. In collaboration with Suffolk Off-Track Betting, the firm revamped a Long Island hotel into a casino, launching Jake’s 58 in 2017 with over 1,000 gaming machines.
State statutes require gaming venues to designate two nonprofit beneficiaries each day, ensuring they receive 35% of the total gaming revenue. The distribution includes 31% to the state, 2.5% to the New Hampshire Gaming Commission for regulatory purposes, and 0.25% to the Governor’s Commission on Addiction, Treatment, and Prevention. The casinos retain the remaining 31.25%.
Upon receiving approval, the development would join a select group of castle-themed casinos across the United States. Noteworthy examples include the Excalibur Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, managed by MGM Resorts International, and the Cliff Castle Casino Hotel in Arizona.