This summer brought an exciting opportunity for our organization. Thanks to the new Lilac Club Casino in Rochester, we raised $47,372 in revenue from charitable gaming days in July. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and the community support that makes it possible.
What is Charitable Gaming and how does it work?
Charitable gaming in New Hampshire is a powerful tool for nonprofits. In 2024, charitable gaming generated more than $244 million statewide. Out of that total, about $39 million went directly to nonprofits, $35 million went to the state, and the rest supported gaming operators. Nearly 800 nonprofits took part in this program in 2024, making it one of the most significant sources of charitable funding in New Hampshire. These numbers come from reports by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission and state publications, which are publicly available here.
By law, charities receive 35% of table-game revenue and 8.75% from horse racing machines. The state takes 10% and about 16.5%, respectively. These percentages are closely tracked and audited to ensure transparency. What this means in practice is that organizations like ours can invest in important programs that strengthen our communities.
What is the impact of Charitable Gaming?
Lilac Club Casino has already made a strong mark. At its first check presentation in April 2025, it awarded more than $116,000 to Rochester Main Street and the Rochester Rotary Club, after opening in March of this year. Our July proceeds of $47,372 will help fund new initiatives in our 2025-2030 strategic plan, ensuring our ongoing fundraising efforts can focus on supporting our existing programs and organization structure. For a reference of program cost, our Seacoast Harvest Local Food Guide costs roughly $32,000 to execute and our Winter Farmers’ Markets cost $42,000 per year. We are thrilled to add this additional opportunity to provide impact to our community with the charitable gaming funds!
For Seacoast Eat Local, this is more than just a financial boost. It’s a reminder of how community partnerships can turn entertainment into tangible outcomes. Food access programs, farmers’ markets, and education efforts all rely on sustainable funding. Charitable gaming is one way to meet that need.
A Model for Good
We hope this success helps shift how people think about gaming in New Hampshire. Too often it carries a negative reputation, but when run responsibly and fairly, the impact is undeniable. This model is supporting hundreds of nonprofits every year, from food security programs to housing and healthcare.
We thank Lilac Club Casino for stepping forward as a partner in this work. And we thank everyone in our community who makes these programs thrive. Together, we are showing that charitable gaming can be a real force for good.