New Hampshire Senate Committee Delays Vote on iGaming Bill

Will New Hampshire be the next state to legalize online casinos? The answer remains uncertain. The state’s Senate Ways and Means Committee opted not to take action on SB 168, a bill proposing iGaming legalization. Despite projections of $39 million in annual tax revenue, the bill faces pushback from charitable gaming advocates and responsible gambling campaigners. As the debate continues, the future of iGaming in New Hampshire hangs in the balance.

New Hampshire Senate Committee Delays Vote on iGaming Bill Amid Opposition and Concerns

Key Points:

1. Senate Committee Fails to Vote on iGaming Bill SB 168
   • The committee declined to advance SB 168, leaving online casino legalization in limbo.
   • Senator Tim Lang proposed an amendment to include charitable gaming, which was approved.
2. Charitable Gaming Operators Strongly Oppose Online Casino Expansion
   • The New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Association fears iGaming will reduce foot traffic to land-based gaming venues.
   • Concerns extend to the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, which rely on gaming venue visitors.
3. Calls for More Problem Gambling Funding Grow Louder
   • NH ranks 39th out of 43 states in gambling addiction funding, allocating only $100,000 annually.
   • Advocates argue the state should increase funding to $4.4 million to match regional efforts.

New Hampshire Senate Committee Fails to Move iGaming Bill Forward

The push to legalize online casinos in New Hampshire has hit another roadblock. The state’s Senate Ways and Means Committee opted not to take action on SB 168, leaving its fate uncertain.

SB 168, sponsored by Senator Tim Lang, proposes the legalization of iGaming through platforms linked to brick-and-mortar casinos. Under the bill, each physical gaming venue would receive one online casino skin, allowing a controlled expansion of the market. Lang emphasized that online casinos would be taxed and regulated similarly to in-person gambling operations.

Financial Projections and Potential Revenue Impact

Lang estimates that legalizing online casinos could generate $39 million in tax revenue for the state annually. Despite the financial incentive, lawmakers declined to vote on the bill, signaling ongoing hesitation regarding digital gambling expansion.

To address concerns from charitable gaming operators, Lang introduced an amendment ensuring that online gambling does not exclude charitable gaming revenues. The committee approved the amendment, yet opposition from key stakeholders remained strong.

Charitable Gaming Industry Pushes Back

During the public hearing, only two witnesses testified—both opposed to the bill. Alicia Preston, representing the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Association, argued that online casinos would significantly harm brick-and-mortar gaming venues.

She emphasized that these establishments have invested heavily in infrastructure, and shifting gambling traffic online could reduce their customer base. Additionally, she noted that the food and beverage sector would suffer, as fewer people visiting gaming venues means declining restaurant and hospitality revenues.

“While tethering them to online gaming will give them some financial benefit, it will also take away that street traffic,” Preston stated.

Problem Gambling Concerns and Lack of State Funding

The second witness, Brianne Doura-Schawohl, testified on behalf of the Campaign for Fairer Gambling. She warned that online casino legalization could lead to a surge in gambling addiction across the state.

More critically, she called out New Hampshire’s limited investment in responsible gambling initiatives. Currently, NH ranks 39th out of 43 legal gambling states in problem gambling funding, allocating only $100,000 per year.

By comparison, Massachusetts spends $22 million annually on gambling addiction programs. With a population five times larger than New Hampshire’s, an equivalent per capita spend would mean NH should be investing at least $4.4 million in responsible gambling efforts.

Doura-Schawohl also pointed out that the state’s per capita funding for gambling addiction is below 10 cents per person, compared to the national average of 45 cents per person.

What’s Next for New Hampshire iGaming?

New Hampshire’s legislative session runs through June 30, giving lawmakers several more months to revisit SB 168. Committee chairman Tim Lang indicated that further discussion and voting could take place as early as next week.

However, with opposition from charitable gaming groups and problem gambling advocates, the bill’s path forward remains uncertain. If lawmakers fail to advance SB 168, New Hampshire will miss out on millions in potential tax revenue, while neighboring states continue to expand their online gaming markets.

The future of iGaming in New Hampshire remains in question following the Senate committee’s inaction on SB 168. While the bill proposes tethering online casinos to physical venues and projects $39 million in tax revenue, strong opposition from charitable gaming advocates and problem gambling organizations has stalled progress.

As the debate continues, the key issues lawmakers must address include:

• Balancing the interests of land-based operators and digital gaming expansion.
• Ensuring adequate funding for responsible gambling initiatives.
• Determining the potential economic impact on local businesses.

With more discussions expected in the coming weeks, the fate of online casino legalization in New Hampshire remains uncertain. Will lawmakers find a compromise, or will iGaming legislation face another defeat? The coming months will determine whether New Hampshire embraces digital gaming or falls behind in the evolving U.S. market.