BY MATT HERSH

Due to illegal betting during the Super Bowl, the Derry-Salem Elks Lodge may lose its liquor license.

Members of the Elks were placing bets on football squares, a popular form of gambling where money is won each quarter of the game by matching randomly drawn numbers to the score.

A pot of $6,100 was seized from the Lodge on Feb. 4, along with the board of squares, according to Lt. Kyle Metcalf of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission.

Metcalf said the betting was discovered by officer Aaron Chapple, who was patrolling for violations on Super Bowl Sunday as part of a statewide search of bars and clubs.

Members of the club will have to appear before the commission in the near future, but a date has yet to be determined, Metcalf said.

While the penalty the lodge will receive is still up in the air, Metcalf said it could involve losing its license or having to pay a fine.

Metcalf said this kind of betting is common and has been increasing lately.  The commission recently cited the American Legion in Plaistow for an illegal card game and raffle.

While many places like the Elks and American Legion like to hold events for charities, any gambling must be state-sanctioned and approved by the commission, attorney general and local police.

Members of the Derry-Salem Elks lodge could not be reached for comment.