New Hampshire Sports Betting

Editor’s note: As of Jan. 18, 2021

In signing the approved sports legislation into law on July 12, 2019, Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire had one request: “The only rule is, I want to place the first bet.”

Sununu has yet to place that bet as New Hampshire officials are still building the betting operation, including holding elections in cities to see if they want to opt-in as a home to a retail gambling facility.

A question, “Shall we allow the operation of sportsbook retail locations within the city?” appeared on the Nov. 5 ballots in nine cities. Five cities – Berlin, Claremont, Laconia, Manchester, and Somersworth -- voted to welcome retail locations for sports betting in their communities.

Franklin, N.H. had previously OK’d to opt-in. Smaller municipalities also will have an opportunity to opt-in at a Town Meeting session in March 2020.

The law allows for up to five mobile operators and 10 retail locations that will be governed by the newly formed Division of Sports Wagering within the New Hampshire Lottery.

Officials are hopeful mobile betting will be up and running near the end of the year or in early 2020 with retail locations, still needing to be built out, opening in the spring. Also still needing to be completed: rules and regulations must be written and finalized, and prospective licensees need to be vetted. The Lottery received bids from 13 vendors and the state has narrowed it down to DraftKings to run the state’s physical locations, according to New Hampshire Public Radio.

Is sports betting currently legal in the state?

Yes.

When did New Hampshire start accepting bets?

August 2020.

What is the legal age to bet on sports in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire is one of the few states to OK a legal betting age of 18 years old.

What restrictions are there on sports betting in New Hampshire … is online wagering allowed?

Online and mobile betting will be allowed in the state and remote registration, too, is approved. In-play wagers will only be available online and bettors will not be allowed to wager on in-state colleges.

What about horse racing?

Despite no racetracks in the state since  2020 when Rockingham Park and Hinsdale raceway were demolished you are still able to place wagers online with all the major operators such as Bet America, TVG, Twinspires, and AM Wager.