The New Hampshire Senate narrowly passed a bill legalizing online gaming, the first successful iGaming vote in the state this year. However, observers say the bill faces long odds against passage in the state House.
Opponents in the House complain that legal online casinos may cannibalize revenues from charitable casinos, which give a portion of revenue to the state to fund various charities. Charitable casinos in the state provide Lucky 7 electronic games and historical horse racing (HHR).
The Senate amended the legislation to ban any games offered by charitable casinos from online casinos. Land’s bill limits the offering to online table games, as brick-and-mortar casinos offer HHR. The amendment further stipulates that iGaming operators inform players of the nearest land-based charitable casino, and diverts online gaming revenue to fund community college scholarships.
In response to cannibalization concerns, the bill’s author, Rep. Tim Land, has argued that New Hampshire already has online gaming through its legal sports betting market, and that online sports wagering has not affected charitable gaming revenue.
The New Hampshire legislative session adjourns on June 30.
