Charitable Gaming Supports Local Nonprofits, Tourism, and Employment in the Northern Region & North Country
Northwoods Casino, located in Berlin, New Hampshire, is a charitable gaming center with a wide variety of entertainment options, including electronic gaming machines, table games, and roulette. While casino gambling is not allowed in New Hampshire, charitable gaming is a legal, fun, and entertaining way for people to support their local community in the northern part of the state.
Northwoods Casino supports many New Hampshire organizations and initiatives that make a positive impact on the community including the American Legion, Androscoggin Valley Home Care Services, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Berlin Main Street Program, Granite United Way, NH Council on Problem Gambling, and many more.
“My wife and I are aware of quite a few nonprofits in the area that were struggling and we saw this as a way to help give a little boost to them and to our economy, said Robin Lavertu. “The donations that the casino provides to NH 501c’s help to sustain them and in turn, they can continue to provide their own services in the area.”
One of the areas that Northwoods Casino's charitable giving has been able to support is our veterans, military personnel, and their families. Donations to local nonprofits like the American Legion and North Country Veterans have helped provide disability benefits, volunteer opportunities, advocacy, youth programming, and other direct support services.
Another area of focus for Northwoods Casino's charitable giving has been health and wellness. Donations to Androscoggin Valley Hospital have helped individuals and families maintain healthy lifestyles with access to healthcare education and physical activity programs.
“Donations from Northwoods Casino charitable gaming have played an instrumental part in our ability to help fund education for our team members, said James Patry, Vice President of Androscoggin Valley Hospital. “They have donated many thousands of dollars to our community to help keep lifelines and resources available for those in need.”
Any 501(c) nonprofit that is registered with the N.H. Secretary of State and the New Hampshire Charitable Trust Division of the Attorney General's office, for at least two years, are eligible to apply as a “charity of the day”. Once approved, nonprofits are eligible for 10 days of gaming per year and receive 35% of the gross revenue. Since its inception in 2018, Northwoods Casino has supported local nonprofits with donations totaling more than $418,000.
“Northwoods Casino has made a tremendous impact in our community,” said Laura Boucher, Granite United Way’s Northern Region Area Manager. “The unrestricted donations give local agencies the flexibility to use the funds where it is most needed.”
Northwoods Casino's commitment to charitable giving is just one of the many ways that it’s making a difference in the Northern Region and North Country. Its contribution to the area’s tourism and employment opportunities is helping to build a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant community for everyone.
“The casino draws people from near and far, said Lavertu. “We’ve welcomed people from as far away as Sydney, Australia, Alaska, Maine, Texas, Canada and many points in between. We hope to grow the local economy and bring people back to Berlin and provide some decent paying jobs in the area.”