Casino Salem in New Hampshire, recently opened, has been purchased by Churchill Downs.
Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has announced its intention to acquire a majority stake in the Casino Salem project in New Hampshire. This move marks an expansion of CDI's gaming portfolio, which already includes 12 casino properties in 11 states.
The acquisition of Casino Salem, which recently opened on July 9, brings 100 historical horse racing machines and 13 table games into CDI's possession. The deal was finalized less than a week after the casino's grand opening.
The Mall at Rockingham Park, where Casino Salem is located, is approximately a 30-minute drive from Boston. The original owners, Sal Lupoli and Joe Faro, referred to Churchill Downs as one of the country's preeminent gaming and entertainment operators.
The acquisition will be financed using CDI's existing line of credit, and the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter. The exact price of the acquisition has not been disclosed.
CDI's CEO, William Carstanjen, expressed excitement about the New Hampshire opportunity and the potential to create a regional destination. Plans for Casino Salem include expanding the gambling floor, changing the casino's brand, and adding food-and-beverage options.
Despite the acquisition, Lupoli and Faro will continue to hold a stake in the casino. They remain committed to driving economic stimulus, creating new jobs, and increasing tourism in the Salem area.
CDI has recently been involved in other gaming expansions, including opening new venues featuring historical racing machines and sportsbooks. It is speculative whether similar gaming innovations will be implemented at Casino Salem, but no direct statements have been made about Casino Salem's future under CDI.
[1] Casino Player. (2025, July). Churchill Downs Acquires Casino Salem in New Hampshire. Retrieved from https://www.casinoplayer.com/news/churchill-downs-acquires-casino-salem-in-new-hampshire
[2] Gambling Times. (2025, July). Churchill Downs to Acquire Majority Stake in Casino Salem. Retrieved from https://www.gamblingtimes.com/news/churchill-downs-to-acquire-majority-stake-in-casino-salem
[3] Casino Beats. (2025, July). Churchill Downs Acquires Casino Salem in New Hampshire. Retrieved from https://www.casinobeats.com/news/churchill-downs-acquires-casino-salem-in-new-hampshire
The acquisition of Casino Salem, which includes 100 historical horse racing machines and 13 table games, signifies Churchill Downs Incorporated's (CDI) expansion into casino-and-gambling operations. The financial aspect of this deal will be managed using CDI's existing line of credit.
