Pictured at the Veterans Memorial Park in Wilton from left to right: Jim Rafferty , The River Casino; Gary Jensen, Bent -Burke American Legion Post No. 10; Lynne Stone, Wilton Main Street Association; Gary Daniels, Former NH House and Senate Member, current candidate for NH Senate.

Wilton, a small town off Route 101 in Hillsborough County, was suffering in 2008 as the misery associated with the economic meltdown rolled into town. Wilton citizens decided not to take the downturn lying down. Wilton mobilized.

A new unique fundraising option had opened in Milford, just down the road. In March 2008, The River Casino & Poker Room opened. Charity gaming had been authorized by a law passed by the New Hampshire Legislature just a couple of sessions before.

Jim Rafferty, the owner of the River, was a bit surprised when a local resident and member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, Gary Daniels, came into the River and introduced himself. Daniels had voted for charity gaming in the House, and was interested in seeing how it was being delivered.

Rafferty explained how the River was doing, and what kinds of dollars were being generated for New Hampshire charities. Charity gaming facilities were regulated by (at the time) the New Hampshire Racing & Charitable Gaming Commission. Every day the casino was open it was sponsored by a licensed 501(c)(3) charity, and 35% of the gaming proceeds each day went to the charity, which was permitted 10 gaming days per year.