In New Hampshire, Seabrook Greyhound Park has reportedly been sold to the employee-owned firm behind Nevada’s Eureka Casino Resort in hopes that it can now be transformed into a top area entertainment and gaming destination.

Legislative hangover:

According to a Thursday report from The Portsmouth Herald newspaper citing an official press release from the new owner, the 75-acre facility located some 48 miles north of Boston opened 45 years ago but saw its business take a dramatic nosedive in the wake of the eastern state’s 2008 decision to outlaw dog racing.

Undisclosed investment:

Although the specific price of the transaction was not disclosed, the newspaper reported that Seabrook Greyhound Park was recently appraised for a little over $5.7 million and was nearly forced to close four years ago as part of a deal that would have seen its site transformed into an industrial park.

Transformation target:

The Portsmouth Herald further reported that that new owner detailed that it does not intend to lobby legislators in ‘The Granite State’ for permission to expand gaming operations inside the 90,000 sq ft Rockingham County enterprise but does want to modernize its casino, off-track betting areas and poker room. The Nevada firm declared that it anticipates completing the first phase of this venue-wide plan by August so as to make Seabrook Greyhound Park ‘the region’s premier gaming, entertainment and food and beverage destination.’

Native knowledge:

Greg Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Eureka Casino Resort, told the newspaper that he has ‘deep ties to New Hampshire’ due to graduating from St Paul’s School in the state capital of Concord. He also explained that the Mesquite-headquartered casino operator’s Chief Operating Officer, Andre Carrier, has family in the north of the state and that both men are now looking forward to introducing the region to ‘our corporate culture and our desire to meet and exceed the expectations of our guests and the communities we serve.’

Read a statement from Carrier…

“It feels great to be home. Greg and I love the land and location of Seabrook Greyhound Park as well as the business opportunity. We think we are able to bring some new energy to race wagering and our approach to business is really aligned with the charitable casino model in place in New Hampshire. We foresee doing a lot of good here while having a lot of fun.”