Dover Bowl plans to add Poker Room

DOVER — Dover Bowl has applied for a license with the state Office of Racing and Charitable Gaming to operate a gaming facility at its Central Avenue location.

Valerie King, director of Racing and Charitable Gaming, confirmed through a spokesperson Dover Bowl has submitted an application for a gaming license "and it has been processed," according to Maura McCann of the N.H. Lottery.

"At this time, a site visit to the facility is pending," McCann quoted King saying in response to questions about the facility from Foster’s Daily Democrat.

Dover Bowl is calling the proposed gaming facility Dover Poker Room & Casino. In New Hampshire, charitable gaming operations have limits on betting and a percentage of the proceeds go to nonprofits. Charitable gaming operations in the Seacoast include Ocean Gaming at Hampton Beach, the Poker Room in Hampton Falls and the Greyhound Casino & Tavern in Seabrook.

A Facebook page on the Dover venue says it will be "located inside the Dover Bowl complex" and feature poker, blackjack and roulette. The Facebook page also stated the gambling facility had planned to open in December, but a Dover Bowl employee stated the opening might not come until the end of February.

Dover Bowl owner Mark Bowen could not be reached for comment.

Dover Bowl already operates a licensed commercial bingo hall, according to the Licensing and Enforcement website, which is part of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.

Anyone seeking to receive a game of chance facility license must include in its application a description of the gaming area, a license fee of $250 and "payment for a background and criminal check," according to state regulations.

Dover City Attorney Joshua Wyatt said he has heard about the planned opening of the gaming room at Dover Bowl. But he added "it’s not something that I’ve been asked to address."

If he were asked about the planned licensing of the gaming facility, Wyatt said, he would have to research the matter.

Neither King nor McCann could be reached Thursday to respond to additional questions.