New Hampshire iGaming Bill Stalls. Senator Lang Pulls Proposal
Efforts to legalize online casinos in New Hampshire have hit a roadblock, with Senator Tim Lang withdrawing his iGaming bill from the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Despite a favorable nod from the committee, Lang’s decision halts the push to bring digital casino gaming to the Granite State.
The Bill That Wasn’t
Lang’s legislation aimed to task the New Hampshire Lottery Commission with overseeing an online casino industry. The plan called for issuing three to six licenses, each tied to existing gambling venues like charitable gaming halls or racinos.
A hefty 45% tax rate on operator revenue would have funneled funds to the state, potentially boosting coffers for public programs. Notably, the bill would have opened online casino play to adults aged 18 to 20, lower than the typical 21 threshold.
This wasn’t Lang’s first swing at iGaming. In 2023, he championed a similar measure that cleared the Senate, only to falter later. The latest iteration built on that blueprint, leaning on the Lottery Commission’s experience with sports betting, legal in New Hampshire since 2019, to regulate the new market.
A Surprising Retreat
The committee’s positive recommendation made Lang’s withdrawal all the more unexpected. While details on his reasoning remain sparse, the pullback suggests hurdles, perhaps political pushback or industry feedback, proved too steep.
The 45% tax rate, though a revenue magnet, might have spooked potential operators wary of slim margins. Or the 18-to-20 age provision could have sparked debate over gambling’s reach to younger adults, a group often flagged for addiction risks.
New Hampshire’s gaming landscape stays static for now. Online sports betting thrives via DraftKings, the state’s sole mobile operator, but casino-style games like slots or poker remain off-limits digitally.
Recommended