New Hampshire Folds on Online Casino Bill
Estimated $39 Million In Potential Revenue Left On The Table
Surprising Fold in the Granite State
Just when supporters thought that New Hampshire was about to go “all in” on the expansion of digital gambling, Senator Tim Lang folded on his online casino bill, last week. To make it more surprising, it was after a favorable recommendation from the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Lang’s bill (SB60) would have introduced mobile gambling apps under the NH Lottery Commission and allowed 3-6 licenses tied to existing gaming facilities.
Even more notable, it would have made the Granite State the first jurisdiction in the nation to allow individuals aged 18 to 20 to access legit gambling sites.
Sen. Lang just moved to table his online casino bill even though it was recommended do pass to the NH Senate
— Jessica Welman (@jesswelman) March 6, 2025
The Bill’s Framework
If it had passed the Senate floor, SB60 would have taxed operators 45%.
This rate is significantly higher than in other states with similar online gambling regulations such as Connecticut and Michigan. However, it is a bit less than Rhode Island’s 51% charge.
Lang’s main argument was to use the revenue for education initiatives and community scholarships. Under the proposed rules, the Lottery Commission would issue licenses only to approved betting casinos that allow residents to play blackjack for money online.
Unlike the state’s single-operator sportsbook (DraftKings), this would have allowed multiple bet platforms, which seems to work in states like New Jersey and Michigan.
Projections had online gambling revenue at $25 million in the early years and up to $39 million over time.
Opposition to real money online casino legalization in state legislatures is arguably growing, not decreasing, per Chris Grove; Grove suggests incremental legislation to regulate social and sweeps cainsos is the better approach for the industry
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) March 12, 2025
Legislative Luck Runs Out in 2025
New Hampshire’s abrupt halt arrives amid a series of similar busts in 2025. Indiana’s House Bill 1432, which proposed a wide-ranging expansion of gambling regulations, stalled in committee and never received a floor vote.
Wyoming’s HB 162 faced strong tribal opposition and collapsed before it could gain any real momentum, while Virginia’s Senate Bill 827 was shelved with no plans to revisit the idea before 2026.
Other jurisdictions like New York have yet to place their bets, opting to keep the conversation on the sidelines for now despite already having a filed proposal.
However, not all casino news have been negative for the potential expansion of online gambling in the US.
The Bright Side
Arkansas lawmakers are currently weighing SJR8, a proposal that could see the Natural State tap into the booming online casino market. According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), the sector pulled in a record-breaking $8.41 billion in 2024. This represents an impressive 28.7% year-over-year increase.
Online casinos now account for 11.7% of the total US commercial gaming revenue. States like Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have already embraced these bet platforms, generating significant tax revenue.
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