The New Hampshire State Senate has approved SB 104, a bill aimed at legalizing and regulating several forms of online casino-style gambling, including online poker. The bill passed with a narrow 12-11 vote on Friday, moving it forward to the New Hampshire House for further consideration. The bill, introduced in January with bipartisan support, would expand the state’s online gambling options under the supervision of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.
Key Provisions of SB 104:
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The bill seeks to introduce online slots, poker, blackjack, cards, roulette, craps, baccarat, and other casino-style games.
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A new state agency, the iGaming Division, would be created to oversee the industry, with the Director of iGaming holding discretionary power over the games offered.
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Between three and five online gaming licenses would be awarded, with the target launch date in 2024.
Context of New Hampshire’s Gambling Landscape:
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Online sports betting has already been legalized in New Hampshire, with both online and live sports betting available since 2019. The state fought a successful legal battle with the US Department of Justice over the 1961 Wire Act to maintain its online sports betting market.
Market Outlook:
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If passed, the bill would expand gambling beyond sports betting, making New Hampshire one of the few states to offer online gambling, including poker.
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While New Hampshire’s market would be smaller than those in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, it would still be larger than Delaware, the smallest US online-gambling state.
Challenges Ahead:
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SB 104 does not mention the possibility of a multi-state compact for online poker, which could help create a sustainable player base. This issue would need to be addressed either by the legislature or by the new iGaming Division if the bill becomes law.
The bill now heads to the New Hampshire House for further deliberation, with hearings and committee assignments pending. If the bill advances, it could reshape the state’s gambling market by adding a significant new element—online casino games and poker—to complement existing sports betting.
