The New Hampshire legislature will consider the possibility of legal online casinos in 2023.
An online gambling bill was probably inevitable for New Hampshire, considering legal online sports betting launched there in 2019. However, the bill the Granite State introduced this month “to regulate online gambling and direct net proceeds to a community college education scholarship fund” wasn’t on any online casino or poker 2023 legalization bingo card.
That may be because New Hampshire isn’t a big online sports betting marketplace. DraftKings Sportsbook is the only game in town for the state’s 1.4 million inhabitants.
Plenty of attention is focused on Indiana online casino and poker, and Kentucky online poker and sports legalization efforts. Plus, all eyes are on New York, which may soon introduce an online casino and poker bill. (Solo New York online poker legislation already exists.)
Meanwhile, New Hampshire Sen. Timothy Lang, R-Sanbornton, quietly introduced SB104 on Jan. 5 and referred it to the Senate Ways and Means Committee, of which he is the chairman. Then yesterday, the Senate announced it would hold a hearing on the matter on Wednesday.
How New Hampshire Online Gambling Might Look
The 10-page-long New Hampshire online casino bill starts with language about establishing a Community College Scholarship Program and Fund. Then it outlines how to deposit tax revenue.
After that, other than stating bettors must be 18 or older and “this act shall take effect January 1, 2024,” the bill is scant on details.
SB104 doesn’t state what tax rate operators can expect, how many operators there will be, what license fees and renewals will cost, or even what games will be included.
Jacob Claesson, the North American CEO of US online casino live dealer powerhouse Evolution, sees it as a hopeful sign.
He tweeted at 12:31 p.m. EST today, along with a link to a Bonus competitor’s article about possible New York online casino and poker legislation:
iGaming bills already filed in Indiana and New Hampshire – New York expected next week.
Although nothing is certain in the short term – the longer term trend and direction for iGaming remains promising.
Perhaps more information about online gambling proposals will come out on Wednesday at the hearing in the New Hampshire State House.
However, this isn’t a state hunting for tax revenue like other states considering online casino bills. On Jan. 10, the Concord Monitor reported lawmakers were considering giving Granite State residents property tax relief because the state has a $200 million surplus.
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