New Hampshire Online Casino Legislation Has Been Filed

Last week, New Hampshire Sen. Tim Lang, a Republican from Belknap, introduced Senate Bill 168 with three other Senate Republicans. 

This bill would legalize online casino slot machines and table games for anyone 18 and older than is within the borders of New Hampshire. 

More on the Bill

If this bill were passed, there would be at least three online casino platforms at launch, with a maximum of six over time. Lang pushed for online and in-person sports betting in 2019, and now, he, Senators Daniel Inniss, Howard Pearl, and Keith Murphy are pushing for online casinos. 

This bill states that an online casino would have to partner with a retail casino that operates slot machines, such as historical horse racing machines or live dealer table games. 

The gross gaming revenue would be subjected to a 45% state tax, with 50% going to the state’s general fund and the remaining 50% between special funds for the elderly, disabled, blind, and deaf and to help special education. 

Should this bill pass, New Hampshire would become the first state to allow online gambling for people 18 and older. In the seven other states where it’s legal, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia, it’s 21 and older. 

Where the Bill Stands Now

As of now, this bill has been sent to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. 

The bill has had an initial review, but Rep. Sally Fellows, a Democrat from Grafton, is proposing to raise the age from 18 to 21. 

New Hampshire iGaming and Sports Betting 

Today, New Hampshire is home to one online sportsbook: DraftKings. This came after DraftKings agreed to split gross sports betting revenue with the state under the condition that there would be no other sportsbooks. 

Retail betting locations are at The Brook in Seabrook, Revo Casino Manchester, Revo Casino Dover, and Gate City Casino in Nashua. 

There's also Concord Casino, which is in the process of being sold and was owned by Andy Sanborn.

DraftKings offers an online casino, and it would be interested in offering the same in New Hampshire. However, this bill doesn’t include a monopoly. 

Lang has received the following political contributions: 

• $1k from DraftKings for Vote Tim Lang, a political action committee.
• $1k from Churchill Downs
• $1k from NH Gaming Holdings, a venture between Peninsula Pacific Entertainment and Manchester, NH real estate developer Dick Anagnost.
• $3k from NH Gaming.

NH Gaming also sent $1k to Pearl and $750 to Innis.