New Hampshire Senate advances online casino bill
Opponents warn the state’s 16 charity casinos could lose revenue to online competition.
Key Takeaways
- New Hampshire senators voted 13-11 on Monday to advance Senate Bill 104, which would legalise online casino gaming. The bill has been sent to the Senate Finance Committee.
- The bill would direct 35 per cent of net online casino profits to scholarships at the Community College System of New Hampshire and 10 per cent to the lottery for administration costs.
- Opponents warn the bill could divert revenue from the state’s 16 charity casinos, although Churchill Downs is reportedly the only company to have publicly opposed it.
U.S.- New Hampshire’s Senate voted 13-11 on Monday to advance Senate Bill 104, which would legalise online casino gaming. The bill now heads to the Senate Finance Committee.
Under the bill, 35 per cent of net online casino profits would fund scholarships at the Community College System of New Hampshire, and 10 per cent would go to the lottery to cover administration costs. State lottery projections estimate US$ 5m in revenue for the first year, rising to US$ 20 m in the second and US$ 30 m by the third.
Ways and Means Chairman Tim Lang introduced the bill and has the support of Senate President Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro. Republicans backed the bill 10-4, while Democrats opposed it 7-3.
Opponents, including Sen. Bill Gannon fear that igaming would take revenue from New Hampshire’s 16 charity casinos. Churchill Downs, which owns Chasers Poker Room and Casino in Salem, is reportedly the only company to have publicly opposed the bill.
Lang argues that online gaming would add new revenue rather than cannibalise spending at existing casinos. He cites the example of New Jersey.
New Hampshire’s charitable gaming system requires licensed operators to partner with nonprofits, which receive a set share of proceeds from table games and historical horse racing. Of the state’s cut, much of the money directed towards education. Video lottery terminals are taxed at 31 per cent.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What would New Hampshire’s Senate Bill 104 do? It would legalise online casino gaming in the state, directing 35 per cent of net profits to Community College System of New Hampshire scholarships and 10 per cent to the lottery for administration costs.
- Why are some New Hampshire lawmakers opposed to SB104? Opponents, including Sen. Bill Gannon, fear it would draw revenue away from the state’s 16 charity casinos by introducing new online competition.
