New Hampshire Lawmakers Push for Online Casino Legalization
Concord, NH – New Hampshire lawmakers are moving forward with a proposal that could pave the way for legal online casino gambling in the state by January 2026. Senate Bill 168, introduced by Senators Timothy Lang, Daniel Innis, Howard Pearl, and Keith Murphy, aims to establish a regulated framework for online gambling overseen by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. The bill was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee for further review on January 23.
The legislation proposes licensing between three and six online gaming operators, each required to partner with an existing licensed gaming facility in the state. This partnership structure is designed to ensure that local businesses benefit from the expansion of online gaming, while maintaining robust oversight and regulation.
If approved, the bill would create a new division within the New Hampshire Lottery Commission specifically tasked with managing online gaming. The proposed legislation includes a 45% tax on gross online gaming revenue, with the proceeds divided as follows: 50% to the state’s general fund, 25% to a special education fund, and 25% to a reimbursement fund for elderly, disabled, blind, and deaf individuals.
The bill also includes provisions to address problem gambling. Operators would be required to set limits on daily, weekly, and monthly wagers, in line with responsible gambling standards within the industry.
One of the most notable aspects of SB 168 is its proposed minimum age for online casino gambling. Unlike most states, which set the legal age for online gambling at 21, New Hampshire would allow individuals as young as 18 to participate. This provision would make New Hampshire the first state to set the legal age for online casino gaming at 18.
This proposal has sparked concerns among some lawmakers, especially since the state is also considering House Bill 83, which seeks to raise the legal age for sports betting from 18 to 21. These differing proposals have ignited a debate over the potential risks of early exposure to gambling, particularly among young adults. As discussions continue, the issue of age restrictions is expected to remain a central point of contention.
The introduction of SB 168 comes as several other states, including Maryland, Indiana, Wyoming, New York, Massachusetts, and Hawaii, are also exploring the legalization of online casino gambling. However, New Hampshire’s proposal has advanced further than some of these efforts. For instance, Virginia has delayed its discussions on iGaming until 2026.
New Hampshire previously attempted to legalize online casino gambling in 2023, but the proposal stalled after passing the Senate and failing to gain traction in the House. This year’s bill faces similar opposition, particularly from charitable gaming organizations that fear the expansion of online gambling could negatively impact traditional fundraising events.
SB 168 also includes strict guidelines for licensing and operations to ensure consumer protection and system integrity. These measures include mandatory age verification, identity checks for all participants, and geographic restrictions to prevent out-of-state residents from participating. The bill also prohibits operators from accepting bets from regions where online gambling is illegal or from countries under U.S. Treasury sanctions.
As the bill moves forward, the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant has yet to release an official financial analysis, leaving some uncertainty about the long-term economic effects of the proposed online gaming system.
Despite ongoing debates, supporters of SB 168 argue that it could generate significant new revenue for New Hampshire, provided the state can effectively address concerns about regulation and responsible gambling. If approved, New Hampshire could become a leader in the growing movement of states legalizing online casino gambling, with a targeted launch date of January 1, 2026.
In the coming weeks, the fate of the bill will become clearer, determining whether New Hampshire joins the expanding list of states embracing digital gambling or faces another setback in its efforts to broaden legal gaming options.