The lawmaker who introduced the measure brought it to a halt amid a lack of support
New Hampshire’s latest attempt to legalize online casino gambling has stalled, with lawmakers deciding to halt progress on the bill despite initial support. Senator Tim Lang, who introduced the legislation, tabled the proposal in the Senate Ways and Means Committee last week. The decision comes after the committee had recommended its passage, marking another setback for online gaming expansion in the state.
This is not the first time Lang has pushed for online casino legislation. A similar bill he sponsored in 2023 successfully passed the Senate, but it ultimately failed to become law.
The latest proposal aimed to place the New Hampshire Lottery in charge of regulating the industry, issuing between three and six licenses tied to existing gaming facilities. It also included a 45% tax rate on online casino revenue. One of its unique aspects was allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to participate, making New Hampshire the first state to extend online casino access to that age group.
Unlike the state’s sports betting market, which operates under a monopoly with DraftKings as the sole licensee, the casino bill sought to introduce multiple operators. Currently, the minimum age for sports betting in the Granite State is 18, and efforts to raise it to 21 were also shelved last month.
The push for online casino legalization has faced similar roadblocks across the country. Virginia, Wyoming, and Indiana have all delayed discussions until future legislative sessions, while Maryland lawmakers remain stuck in a cycle of committee hearings without progress. New York has also shown hesitation in advancing online casino legislation this year. Meanwhile, Arkansas is emerging as a potential contender for expansion, with a proposed constitutional amendment introduced to address online gaming.
Despite growing interest in online casino legislation nationwide, New Hampshire’s decision reflects the challenges many states continue to face in bringing these measures across the finish line.
