House Bill 737 would allow local communities to determine if they want a casino
A bill working its way through the New Hampshire Legislature could give towns and cities the power to decide whether they want casinos operating in their communities. House Bill 737, introduced in January and passed by the House in March, had its first Senate committee hearing this week, with no opposition voiced and several speakers backing the measure.
Supporters of the bill say it’s not about expanding gambling, but about giving local governments and residents a say in what happens in their area. Rep. Jerry Stringham, one of the bill’s eight bipartisan sponsors, said the legislation is focused on local control. He emphasized that whether someone supports or opposes gambling, communities should have the final word on allowing or banning casino operations.
Currently, commercial casinos are not legal in the Granite State, but charitable gaming is. This has led to the rise of venues that look and feel like casinos, operating under rules that permit historical horse racing (HHR) machines. These machines, which resemble slot machines, determine outcomes based on archived horse races. There are 14 such facilities in operation, with five more seeking approval.
The new bill introduces a process for residents to petition for a vote on whether to allow “games of chance” in their towns or cities. In smaller towns, just 25 signatures are needed to place the question on a ballot. In cities, 5% of registered voters must sign a petition. Municipalities would also be allowed to reconsider or reverse their decision later.
The bill comes after public outcry in Littleton, where residents were caught off guard by plans for a casino and felt they had no say. HB737 aims to prevent that from happening elsewhere.
If signed into law, the measure would go into effect on July 1, giving communities time to act before new HHR licenses are issued starting in 2031.
