Granite staters should be able to place bets on the Super Bowl next month as New Hampshire prepares to roll out sports betting.
DraftKings, a daily fantasy sports company based in Boston has been selected by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission to operate mobile and retail sportsbook. This poises the Granite State to become the second in New England (following Rhode Island) to offer sports betting.
The legislature voted to authorize sports betting earlier this year. The lottery invited RFPs in August. The RFP specified a scoring system that DraftKings ultimately scored highest in. The lottery received 13 bids of which three companies were finalists: DraftKings, Roar Digital, a joint venture of MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings, and Kambi.
The executive council of the commission, which is appointed by Governor Chris Sununu, voted 3-1 last week to approve a six-year contract with DraftKings. The vote allows for two-year extensions to the contract. DraftKings will pay the state 51 percent of gross gaming revenue for mobile wagering and 50 percent of the gross from brick and mortar locations. The lottery anticipates rolling out the app in January. Retail locations should be taking bets by the end of winter or beginning of spring, said the lottery.
The law authorizes up to ten cities to host sports betting and up to five online sportsbook operators. It doesn’t prevent the state from contracting with only one. DraftKings’ offer of 51 percent sealed the deal for its exclusive contract as did its promise to implement sports betting by January.
Voters in the towns of Berlin, Claremont, Laconia, Manchester and Somersworth have all voted within the last few weeks to host sports betting within their city limits. Franklin could vote in the spring to join them.
Parlay-style wagers are allowed, but not single-game or live in-game betting. Betting is not allowed on college games that happen within the state or involve New Hampshire college teams.
In addition to approving the contract with DraftKings, the council approved an amendment to an existing contract with Intralot, which supplies the lottery’s technology. The amendment allows it to provide sports betting on machines that are already selling lottery tickets. It will pay the state 19.25 percent on the gross.
Sununu, who has been very enthusiastic about sports betting, and has said he wants to be one of the first to place a bet, Tweeted last week: “We moved fast to get this done, and the deal is a win for NH. We are partnering with a world-class company to provide a first-rate customer service experience.”
Charlie McIntyre, director of the New Hampshire Lottery, added, “Today’s affirmative vote begins a partnership with DraftKings that will offer our players an exciting opportunity to participate in sports betting with a trusted partner.” He continued, “The introduction of sports betting will broaden the appeal of the New Hampshire Lottery and engage new and existing customers, while generating millions of dollars in additional revenue to support education.”
McIntyre also spoke about the lottery’s interest in recruiting more cities to allow sportsbook retail locations. “The New Hampshire Lottery appreciates and respects the voting process in New Hampshire. With five cities voting to allow sports book retail locations, we can continue with the sports betting implementation process, developing a responsible system that engages players and drives revenue for education in New Hampshire.”
He said the lottery hopes that mobile sports betting would go live in January.
DraftKings’ spokesman Matt Kalish issued this comment: “We look forward to collaborating further with the New Hampshire Lottery to bring the DraftKings experience to sports fans in the Granite State.”
There are critics of the deal, and one called it a “rush job.” Others observed that the state ended the possibility of a competitive market that vendors have repeatedly asked for in hearing after hearing before state legislatures.
But DraftKings’ high percentage offer was the clincher. And that was probably the highest priority for the lottery since New Hampshire Public Radio quoted McIntyre as having told the executive committee: “The best money is out of state money.”
Before bettors can make wagers online they will need to create an online account at a brick and mortar casino.
