New Hampshire Lawmakers Reject Proposal to Raise Sports Betting Age, Legalization of Online Gaming on Horizon

New Hampshire lawmakers have decided to maintain the legal sports betting age at 18, solidifying its status as one of the few states to allow wagering at this age. The House Ways and Means Committee voted 11-7 on January 27, 2025, to label House Bill 83 as “inexpedient to legislate.” This decision effectively ends any chance of advancing the bill this year.

The Granite State is ed by Kentucky, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C., as jurisdictions permitting 18-year-olds to legally place sports bets. Representative Sally Fellows, who sponsored HB 83, aimed to raise the betting age to 21, aligning it with legal restrictions on alcohol and tobacco consumption.

A Divided Debate Over Betting Age

The proposal to raise the minimum age for sports wagering in New Hampshire sparked contrasting viewpoints during committee discussions.

Proponents like Representative Thomas Schamberg argued that “it is important that we make a statement about the age limit like we have about alcohol, tobacco products, and vapes.” He believed the higher age would protect younger individuals from potential gambling harm.

Conversely, Representative Cyril Aures opposed the measure, viewing it as a “liberty issue” for young adults. “If they want to bet with their money, let them bet,” Aures stated.

Another critical factor influencing the committee’s decision was the financial impact. According to estimates, raising the legal age for sports betting would cost the state $320,000 in 2026, with projected annual losses doubling to $640,000 in subsequent years.

Representative Fred Doucette emphasized that the issue could be revisited later but suggested the financial implications were too significant to justify immediate action.

iGaming Expansion Proposed in Senate

While the House debates age restrictions, the New Hampshire Senate is pursuing the legalization of online casino gaming. Senate Bill 168, introduced on January 9, 2025, proposes a framework for launching online casino operations by January 1, 2026. If enacted, the bill would make New Hampshire the first U.S. state to permit individuals as young as 18 to participate in regulated online casino gaming.

SB 168 outlines provisions for licensing three to six digital gaming platforms, which must partner with existing licensed gaming facilities in the state. Operators would be subject to a 45% taxon gross gaming revenue (GGR), with proceeds distributed among the general fund (50%), special education initiatives (25%), and municipal reimbursements for tax exemptions (25%).

Unlike sports betting, which is overseen by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, this legislation would establish a new division within the Commission to regulate online gaming. Age verification, geographic restrictions, and responsible gaming measures, such as wagering limits and self-exclusion programs, are among the safeguards included in the proposal.

Historical Context and Future Prospects

New Hampshire’s efforts to expand gambling options are not new. In 2023, an online casino bill ed the Senate but stalled in the House due to opposition from charitable gaming organizations and concerns over regulatory infrastructure.

The latest push for iGaming mirrors similar initiatives in states like Maryland, Indiana, and New York, signaling a broader trend toward online gaming legalization across the U.S.

Although the House rejected HB 83, the Senate’s SB 168 continues to progress, offering a glimpse of potential changes to New Hampshire’s gambling landscape. Whether the state opts to expand iGaming opportunities or revisits the sports betting age debate, the outcome will likely influence its position in the evolving U.S. gaming market.

Source:

“NH lawmakers won’t raise legal sports betting age”, igamingbusiness.com, January 27, 2025.