In a significant move, officials in Conway are setting the stage for residents to have a definitive say on the future of gambling in their town. This comes after a recent change in New Hampshire state law that defaults to allowing keno and additional charitable gaming venues unless communities opt out. During a recent meeting, the Conway board of selectmen unanimously decided to draft two warrant articles for the April 2026 ballot. The first article aims to exclude Conway from New Hampshire’s newly legal statewide keno program, while the second seeks to prevent any new charitable gaming facilities beyond the already operating Revo Casino and Social House on White Mountain Highway.
Town Planner Ryan O’Connor explained to the board that House Bill 737, signed into law by Governor Kelly Ayotte on August 1, has fundamentally altered the landscape for local gambling regulations. According to the new law, keno is automatically legal in all communities unless they vote against it by June 2027. Previously, towns had to approve the game actively.
“If we don’t vote on this warrant article by June 2027, keno will automatically be allowed in our town,” O’Connor noted. “The board can decide whether to include this on the warrant, but we have until then to take action.”
Choosing not to delay, the Conway board opted to place an article on next year’s warrant to ban keno, passing the motion with a 5–0 vote. This decision is in line with the town’s historical stance, as approximately 75% of Conway residents rejected a proposal to allow keno in 2023.
Empowering Communities to Regulate Casinos
House Bill 737 also extends beyond keno, granting municipalities the explicit power to limit or prohibit additional “games of chance” facilities—such as charitable casinos like Revo. This provision responds to concerns from towns that felt their voices were overlooked in state-level licensing decisions.
O’Connor clarified that while Conway cannot retroactively shut down Revo, opened after extended negotiations in February, the new legislation empowers the town to prevent any future casino-style establishments. “We have the option now to decide whether we want more game-of-chance operations here or not,” he said. “Since we already have a licence with Revo, allowing additional licenses is not on the table.”
Following the keno motion, Selectman John Colbath introduced another proposal to prohibit any new charitable gaming casinos in Conway, which also passed unanimously. If voters approve this measure in April, Revo’s owners will be restricted from opening a second location within town limits.
O’Connor emphasized that the proposed articles would not affect the sale of New Hampshire Lottery tickets. Scratchcards and draw games will continue to be available at local retailers even if residents vote against keno and additional casinos.
Debate on Gambling Expansion
This local debate comes on the heels of prolonged discussions in Concord regarding the extent of control communities should have over gambling growth. State Representative David Paige, a Democrat from Conway and a sponsor of HB 737, supported giving towns a veto over new charitable gaming facilities but opposed making keno automatic unless explicitly opted out.
Paige argued that his constituents felt excluded from significant land-use decisions. “My constituents find themselves in a position where deciding whether our town should host a casino is out of their hands,” he remarked. “It’s unreasonable that while we can reject keno, we have no say on a casino setting up in our backyard.”
The new law partially addresses this concern by allowing towns to block future casinos, but it also requires communities to actively prevent keno, unsettling local officials who remember past votes.
Balancing Economic Benefits and Community Control
Under New Hampshire regulations, charitable gaming casinos must donate 35% of their earnings to approved non-profits and host seven to ten “game dates” annually for the town’s benefit. In Conway, revenue from these games is beginning to flow, with the town scheduled to receive between $14,000 to $30,000 from Revo Casino and Social House for the period of December 17–26. The selectmen plan to allocate this income to the welfare budget.
Proponents like Acting Commerce Secretary John David A. Reyes and Lottery Commission enforcement officer Patrick Sablan argue that, with appropriate regulation, charitable gaming provides a vital revenue source for both state and local governments. However, opponents in Conway cite concerns over traffic, social impacts, and the town’s tourism-driven nature as reasons to curb expansion.
Revo’s developer, Dick Anagnost, expressed willingness to abide by the town’s decision, stating, “We are a good corporate citizen in Conway who will respect and support whatever the citizens want moving forward.”
Upcoming Voter Decision
Town staff will now collaborate with legal advisors to finalize the wording of the two warrant articles before the 2026 town meeting. One article will ask whether Conway should prohibit keno, while the other will determine the fate of additional charitable gaming facilities beyond the current licence.
If residents vote “yes” on both measures, Conway will join other New Hampshire communities choosing to limit gambling expansion despite the state increasingly relying on gaming revenue. If either article fails, both keno and future casino projects remain viable options under the new statewide framework.
For the selectmen, the priority is clear: ensuring that a significant shift in state policy does not occur by default. “The voters have been clear about keno in the past,” Colbath remarked after the vote. “Our job is to provide that clear choice again—knowing that if we do nothing, the decision will be made for us.”
Erik Agary is a seasoned writer at True Games Reviews, specializing in gaming, casino games, and interactive entertainment. With a passion for all things digital, Erik dives deep into the latest trends and developments in the gaming world, offering insightful reviews and detailed analysis. His expertise spans across multiple gaming platforms, ensuring comprehensive coverage that resonates with both novice and experienced gamers alike.
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