Gambling in New Hampshire

Introduction

Talking about the legality of gambling in New Hampshire, this US state could be described as neither the most liberal nor the most stringent one. The state's gambling landscape is primarily centered around the New Hampshire Lottery, sports betting, parimutuel wagering, and charitable gaming.

While horse racing and parimutuel wagering were once prominent in New Hampshire, the state no longer hosts live racing events. The last active tracks, Rockingham Park and Seabrook Greyhound Park, both ceased operations in the late 2000s.

In 2019, New Hampshire legalized retail and online sports betting, with DraftKings selected as the exclusive operator. Sports betting is available online and through self-serve kiosks at retail locations in Dover, Manchester, Seabrook, and Nashua.

Additionally, in 2021, the state legalized Instant Racing, or historical horse racing, allowing charitable gaming facilities to offer this form of wagering. Charitable gaming is another legal form of gambling in New Hampshire, with organizations allowed to host events such as poker, bingo, raffles, and Lucky 7 pull-tab games.

Focus on both ensuring compliance and generating revenue for the state, The New Hampshire Lottery Commission oversees most gambling activities. Operates under the Lottery Commission, The Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority (GROA), helps enforce the regulations related to all approved forms of gambling.

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Is It Legal to Gamble Online in New Hampshire?

At the moment of writing this article, New Hampshire still belongs to US states where online gambling is not legal. This includes typical casino games such as slot games, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and other table games, as well as online poker.

Without a locally licensed online gambling platform, players can try their luck with the following two options:

• Offshore online casino- quite a solid number of online casinos welcome players form the United States; if selecting these, make sure to check whether the platform has a valid license in the first place, as US-friendly casinos often tend to be unlicensed
• Sweepstakes/ social casinos- when visiting these platforms, consumers can explore online games that mirror real-life casino games such as poker, slots, roulette, or jackpots but without spending real money or generating real money wins; they have special in-house currencies which are used for playing games or taking part in bonuses, tournaments, etc.

Worth noting is that in either of these two, players from the Granite State should check country restrictions. In an ideal case scenario, the Terms & Conditions should contain the list of restricted countries, so that players can be clear on whether they should attempt to register at all.

Some consumers try to bypass the restriction by using a VPN, but that’s not recommended because casinos have the tools to recognize that. Besides, if the casinos spots that a player has registered from a restricted country, they can easily refuse to process payments and credit winnings.

Which Online Casino Games Can Be Played in New Hampshire?

The answer to this question pretty much depends on the individual preferences and the selected platform.

For example, if a player decides to visit an offshore online casino, the options are abundant, ranging from fun-filled slot games, and all-time favorite table games, all the way to entertaining game shows and sophisticated live dealer games. Crash games are growing in popularity as well, being an excellent choice for fans of fast-paced gameplay.

In case they decide to stick with social casinos and sweepstakes casinos, the options will be more or less the same, but slightly limited. These platforms mostly include versatile slot games and to a certain extent some blackjack, baccarat, and roulette games. The selection of games mainly depends on the providers the specific casino cooperates with.

For those who prefer sports betting, the available options include those offered by DraftKings, such as NFL (New England Patriots), NBA (Boston Celtics), MLB (Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays), and NHL (Boston Bruins).

Sports Betting in New Hampshire

Having officially approved online sports betting on December 30, 2019, New Hampshire became the 16th state in the U.S. to regulate this form of gambling.

In terms of regulations, New Hampshire has some specific restrictions for sports betting. For example, wagering on college sports events held within the state is prohibited, and bets cannot be placed on New Hampshire-based college teams, regardless of where they are playing.

Compared to other states in which online sports betting is legal as well, New Hampshire’s sports wagering landscape is unique in a few ways, notably in its legal minimum betting age of 18, which is lower than the 21-year age requirement found in most other states.

Additionally, New Hampshire has a single legal mobile sportsbook, DraftKings, which operates both online and at retail locations across the state. Based in Boston DraftKings offers a variety of betting options, from traditional sports wagers to more specialized bets. The app is easy to navigate, which makes it accessible for both beginners and seasoned sports bettors.

While DraftKings is the sole operator of online sports betting in New Hampshire, the state also has several retail sportsbooks where bettors can place in-person wagers. These retail locations include Filotimo Casino & Restaurant in Dover and Manchester, and The Brook in Seabrook.

Despite its advantages, DraftKings is not without its drawbacks. Although the platform is easy to use and offers a wide range of betting options, its odds are often less competitive compared to other sportsbooks. Additionally, some users have expressed dissatisfaction with DraftKings' customer support, criticizing its poor responsiveness in the first place.

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Gambling Regulators in New Hampshire

Established to ensure integrity and public confidence in gaming regulation The Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority (GROA) is tasked to oversee and assess the current regulation of gaming activities authorized and ensure the companies are compliant with the relevant laws. GROA operates as a part of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.

What needs to be mentioned is that while making recommendations, the Authority relies on the regulatory frameworks of other US states. The list includes but is not limited to Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Nevada, and New Jersey.

In addition to this, in 2019, the New Hampshire Council for Responsible Gambling (NHCRG) was also established, through the same legislation as the one which enabled the launch of legal sports betting. The Council’s duty is to educate NH players experiencing gambling-related harm and give them directions for treatment.

Depositing and Withdrawing when in NH

The table below provides a complete insight into withdrawal/deposit and banking term rankings in New Hampshire. By clicking on the casino’s name, you’ll get a full insight into the withdrawal and deposit score of each casino, helping you evaluate which payment method could work the best for you.

If you’re interested in getting to know banking options for US players in general, then check out the page Deposit and withdrawal methods for US players

US-NH Online Casinos Deposit & Withdrawal Grades View All

Conclusion

New Hampshire's gambling landscape has evolved over the years. Once known for its live horse racing, the state no longer hosts racing events, but despite that, players are given more than a well-diversified selection of games to choose from.

Both retail and online sports betting were legalized in 2019, with DraftKings chosen as the exclusive operator. The state's legalization of Instant Racing and the thriving charitable gaming sector further diversify its gambling offerings. Charitable gaming allows organizations to host various events like poker and bingo, while Instant Racing adds a modern twist to traditional wagering.

On the other hand, New Hampshire does not yet allow online gambling for real money, including casino games like slots and poker. Players interested in online gaming can explore offshore or social casino platforms, although caution is advised due to licensing concerns and geographical restrictions.

Related Reading

RealMoneyAction

The Gaming Regulatory Oversight Authority (GROA)

New Hampshire Council for Responsible Gambling (NHCRG)

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Written by: Michael Shackleford