ECL Entertainment Unveils Designs For The Nash Casino In New Hampshire

ECL Entertainment, a Las Vegas-based gaming company, announced this week the new facility in Nashua, New Hampshire, will be called The Nash Casino. The casino is coming to the vacant Sears building at the Pheasant Lane Mall.  The establishment will be the Granite State’s largest gaming facility.

ECL Entertainment said The Nash Casino is a $250 million investment in Nashua, New Hampshire

Plans for the two-story, 180,000-square-foot project were approved by the Nashua planning board last year. According to the New Hampshire Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority, The Nash Casino will be required to give a 35% cut of its profits to registered non-profits.

EC NH Real Estate Holding, Inc., bought the former Sears property for $11.5 million in November, per the Hillsborough County Registry of Deeds.

The casino is a $250 million investment, according to a news release. The two-story complex will feature 1,200 slot machines, 62 table games, horse racing machines, and three restaurants.

“Our goal is to create a vibrant space that not only provides top-notch entertainment and drives economic growth in the region but also significantly supports the greater Nashua community through charitable contributions,” Managing Partner Marc Falcone said in a statement.

ECL Entertainment is projecting the new Nashua facility to generate around $24 million annually for more than 100 charities.

Nashua community is split on the new casino

Developers plan to start recruiting workers to staff the casino later this summer. An employment information center is slated to open at the Pheasant Lane Mall next month.

The company expects The Nash to create between 500 and 600 new jobs.

However, the casino has left a few Gate City residents divided.

Mags Pattantyus, a longtime Nashua resident, told WMUR 9 News that she’s concerned the casino could be a step in the wrong direction for the city.

“I think a casino, while it can help bring in revenue and help non-profits, it might not be the direction I want to see Nashua heading,” Pattantyus said.

Jesse Dellea, another Nashua neighbor, said she doesn’t have plans to visit the casino. Though, she’s pleased to see a new employer at the long-vacant Sears facility.

“I’ve never been a gambler,” Dellea said. “But, I think consenting adults should be able to do whatever they want with their money. If it brings jobs to the area, that’s great.”

ECL Entertainment said The Nash is scheduled to open this winter.