New Hampshire has taken yet another step toward legalizing online casino gaming by advancing Senate Bill 104 in the Senate.
The proposal that passed with a narrow 13-11 vote is still, however, facing a difficult path through the state Legislature.
Next Stop: the Senate Finance Committee
Now, the bill will reach the eyes of members of the Senate Finance Committee, which will be responsible for carefully reviewing it in an attempt to determine whether it has what it takes to create a regulated market for online casino games in the state.
If given the green light, SB 104 would allow New Hampshire residents to play digital versions of highly popular casino games including blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat and craps using services provided by licensed operators.
The proposal would also set up the mandatory rules regarding age and identity verification, geolocation, as well as limits for wagering and voluntary self-exclusion.
35% of Profits to Reach Scholarships
Those who are in favor of the bill regard iGaming as a new potential source of additional state revenue.
Under the terms of the proposal, roughly 35% of net online casino profits would be directed toward scholarships through the Community College System of New Hampshire.
Another 10% would go to the New Hampshire Lottery, which has been recording dramatic revenue boosts in the last months, for administrative costs.
Revenue projections cited in support of the legislation estimate roughly $5 million in the first year, rising to $20 million in the second year and $30 million by the third.
Online Gambling Could “Eat Away” at Charitable Funds
That money is one of the main arguments behind the bill, but the proposal is also running into opposition from New Hampshire’s charitable gaming industry.
The state has about 16 charitable gaming facilities, where casino-style games and poker generate money for nonprofit organizations. Opponents of online casino legislation have warned that digital gambling could pull customers and revenue away from those venues.
Sen. Bill Gannon told the Union Leader that online gambling could “eat away” at charitable funds. Churchill Downs, which owns Chasers Poker Room and Casino in Salem, has also opposed the proposal through lobbyist and former Senate president Peter Bragdon.
The debate comes as New Hampshire’s land-based gaming sector continues to develop. Revo Casino is preparing a major expansion, while lawmakers are also considering changes to the state’s charitable gaming rules under Senate Bill 542.
New Hampshire already allows online sports betting through the state’s exclusive DraftKings arrangement with the New Hampshire Lottery, as well as online lottery products.
However, online casino gaming would represent a significant expansion because casino games can be played continuously rather than being tied to sporting events.
SB 104 is not the state’s first attempt to legalize iGaming. An earlier version of the bill advanced in 2023 before stalling in the House, while another proposal, SB 168, was tabled in 2025.
The latest bill now faces scrutiny from the Senate Finance Committee. Even if it advances, it would still need approval from the full Legislature before reaching the governor.
For now, the 13–11 vote gives New Hampshire’s online casino debate another chance, but the bill is still far from becoming law.
New Hampshire has taken yet another step toward legalizing online casino gaming by advancing Senate Bill 104 in the Senate. The proposal that passed with a narrow 13-11 vote is still, however, facing a difficult path through the state Legislature. Next Stop: the Senate Finance Committee Now, the bill will reach the eyes of members