New Hampshire Online Casino Bill Advances Past Senate, Faces Finance Committee Scrutiny

New Hampshire has progressed another step toward legalizing online casino gaming, with Senate Bill 104 advancing through a narrow 13-11 Senate vote on October 1, 2026. The proposal would mark a significant expansion of the state's existing gaming framework, which currently permits online sports betting through an exclusive DraftKings arrangement and online lottery products.

If enacted, SB 104 would establish a regulated market for online casino games including blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat, and craps. The bill includes mandatory consumer protections such as age and identity verification requirements, geolocation controls, wagering limits, and voluntary self-exclusion options. The regulatory architecture would be administered by the New Hampshire Lottery, which already oversees the state's sports betting operations.

The legislation's supporters emphasize revenue generation potential, projecting $5 million in year one, scaling to $20 million in year two and $30 million by year three. Under the proposal's terms, approximately 35% of net online casino profits would fund scholarships through New Hampshire's Community College System, while an additional 10% would support the Lottery's administrative operations.

However, the bill faces meaningful opposition from New Hampshire's charitable gaming sector. The state operates approximately 16 charitable gaming facilities that generate revenue for nonprofit organizations through casino-style games and poker offerings. Industry opponents, including Senator Bill Gannon and Churchill Downs (which operates Chasers Poker Room and Casino in Salem through lobbying efforts), have warned that digital gambling could cannibalize customer bases and reduce funding streams for charitable organizations.

The immediate path forward requires Senate Finance Committee review, which will assess the proposal's financial projections and regulatory framework. Should it advance from that committee, the bill would require full Legislature approval before reaching the governor's desk. This represents a substantial hurdle, particularly given the narrow margin by which it passed the initial Senate vote.

SB 104 is not New Hampshire's first attempt at iGaming legalization. A predecessor bill advanced in 2023 before stalling in the House, while SB 168 was tabled in 2025. The recurring legislative interest reflects broader U.S. state-level momentum toward online casino expansion, though each jurisdiction continues to navigate distinct stakeholder concerns regarding market cannibalization and revenue allocation.

New Hampshire's land-based gaming sector is simultaneously developing, with Revo Casino pursuing expansion plans. The state is also evaluating modifications to charitable gaming rules through separate legislation, suggesting broader regulatory reassessment of gaming policy. The convergence of these initiatives indicates New Hampshire policymakers are undertaking comprehensive gaming market review rather than ad-hoc legalization.