According to a recent article from the [Concord Monitor](https://www.concordmonitor.com/Andy-Sanborn-Concord-Casino-appeals-revocation-of-his-license-new-Hampshire-58486496), Andy Sanborn has appealed to the Merrimack County Superior Court following the state’s dismissal of his casino sale efforts last month. Sanborn’s legal team had previously indicated plans to contest this decision when the state rejected a proposed sale in late November.
For several months, a buyer had been lined up, allowing for an extension of previous deadlines. The state lottery commission and attorney general’s office had both conducted reviews to assess suitability. Initially, the state’s disapproval was attributed to the buyer, but it was later clarified that concerns were primarily about the structure of the sale. Sanborn’s legal representatives asserted that the buyer had tried to address the state’s concerns, albeit unsuccessfully.
Sanborn’s appeal claims that the state “attempted to intimidate buyers” and deliberately caused delays, effectively shortening the timeframe until the revocation deadline. This alleged intimidation relates to Sanborn’s unresolved legal issues, given that state law prohibits anyone convicted of a felony from holding a gaming license for a decade. The appeal suggests that the state implied potential legal repercussions for buyers, thereby discouraging the sale.
Earlier this month, it was [reported](https://www.concordmonitor.com/Concord-Casino-Buyers-NH-Andy-Sanborn-las-vegas-charitable-gaming-57926473) that Bettor Investments Inc and Full House Resorts were in talks regarding the license, though it’s unclear if either party ended up being rejected.
### A Legal Dispute Intensifies
The appeal adds a new chapter to the year-long conflict between Sanborn and the state, which began in August when Attorney General John Formella found Sanborn unsuitable for a license. Sanborn was accused of misusing $844,000 in casino-related pandemic relief funds, though charges have not yet been filed.
Formella’s office called for Sanborn’s license to be revoked entirely, a request that wasn’t granted, though Concord Casino was closed with a sale deadline set for June 2024. After the deadlines were extended twice, they ultimately expired in November. Consequently, Sanborn’s gaming license, which accounted for the business’s core value, is now revoked for a minimum of two years.
A significant twist in the saga occurred in mid-October when Sanborn faced [new fraud charges](https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/land-based-casino-regulation/sanborn-arrested-on-new-fraud-charge-as-concord-casino-saga-continues-to-spiral/), accusing him of misreporting the casino’s earnings to obtain additional relief funds. These charges cast further doubt on the sale, raising concerns about Sanborn’s growing legal challenges transferring to the buyer and obstructing the deal.
Sanborn’s team asserts the state has obstructed the sale process, alleging it’s an attempt to retaliate after Sanborn’s license was not initially revoked. From the state’s viewpoint, Sanborn has used the extensions to increase his profit when the process should be a punitive measure.