The state of New Hampshire legalized sports betting back in 2019, but there were some changes made to the industry in 2021. Bettors in the state can wager in-person or online, but there are still a limited number of betting options available.
This is one of the few states in which there is no competition when it comes to sports betting, as DraftKings has a monopoly. The United States is full of some great online sports betting operators, but none of them even have the option of offering sports betting in New Hampshire.
The country has continued to see growth in this industry, as there are now more than 30 different states with sports betting available. New Hampshire was a part of the first wave of states to join that group, but this state is not one that helps to drive the overall numbers in either handle or revenue.
Historical Background of Betting in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is not a state with a huge background or history when it comes to gambling, but lawmakers didn’t waste much time in legalizing sports betting. There have been three separate sports betting bills that have passed, and all of them have played some sort of role in setting up this industry.
The New Hampshire Lottery really has control when it comes to sports betting, but it didn’t take long for that group to give most of its power away. Even though DraftKings is the only sports betting operator available in the state, New Hampshire has been able to put up some big numbers in terms of revenue.
That’s because DraftKings pays a 51% tax on all of its revenue that is brought in, and that’s part of the reason that it was chosen as the lone operator. While other states with sports betting continue to look for ways to grow, that’s just not going to be the focus in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Betting Legalization Details
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu put some pressure on lawmakers in this state to legalize sports betting after including revenue from the industry in his 2020 budget. That forced lawmakers to work hard in 2019 to get a bill passed, and fortunately, that was able to happen after some debate.
House Bill 480 was officially passed in 2019, and then Governor Sununu put his signature on it to make it a law. There was some hope that sportsbooks would launch in 2019, but that ultimately didn’t happen until 2020.
Things were going okay in the new industry in New Hampshire, but some lawmakers believed that improvements could be made. That led to the passing of House Bill 330 and House Bill 354 in 2021 as a way to refine the law.
That is where things currently stand in the state of New Hampshire, and it doesn’t look like any new changes are coming. Lawmakers and most residents are in favor of the currency system, but there is a belief that sports betting can ultimately improve. 2023 was a good year in terms of handle and revenue for the state of New Hampshire.
Where to Bet in New Hampshire
Sports betting in New Hampshire might be legal, but there are very limited options when it comes to where wagers can be placed. Bettors will be able to make bets either in-person or online, but they will find just one sports betting operator that is accepting wagers.
DraftKings Sportsbook was able to secure a contract with the New Hampshire Lottery, and it has been able to create a monopoly in this state. Even though there is just one option for online sports bettors, at least DraftKings is one of the biggest names in the industry.
When it comes to retail sports betting, it is DraftKings that is also offering sports betting to customers in the state. There are currently just three retail sportsbooks available in New Hampshire, but you aren’t going to find a live teller at any of those spots.
Here are the current retail sports betting locations in New Hampshire:
- Filotimo Casino & Restaurant (Dover)
- Filotimo Casino & Restaurant (Manchester)
- The Brook (Seabrook)
The sports betting law in New Hampshire does allow for up to 10 retail sportsbooks in the state, but that hasn’t happened yet. It would still be DraftKings that offers retail betting, but there just hasn’t been much expansion since the initial launch.
Key Regulations and Rules
The New Hampshire Lottery Commission regulates sports betting in the state, and it continues to make sure that things are being done legally There are three different tiers of wagering available in New Hampshire, and that wrinkle of the law isn’t really seen elsewhere.
Both online and retail wagering are legal in New Hampshire, but the laws place a pretty big limit on the amount of options that are going to be available. The New Hampshire Lottery was given the power to offer sports betting, but it chose to partner with DraftKings in order to offer sports wagering.
The legal sports betting age in New Hampshire is set at 18 years of age, and that’s younger than what you will see in other markets. Betting is available on both college and professional events, but there are some restrictions.
There is no betting on in-state college teams in New Hampshire, and betting on in-state college teams is also prohibited. New Hampshire sports betting law limits the number of online sportsbooks to five and retail sportsbooks to just 10 at any time.
DraftKings pays a 51% tax on all sports betting revenue that comes from this industry.
Popular Sports and Events to Bet On in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a very small state, and there are no professional sports teams that are actually located in the state. That might seem like a pretty big negative when it comes to betting on sports, but there are plenty of teams in neighboring states that drive it forward.
Betting on the NFL is the most popular option when it comes to sports betting, and the New England Patriots are a fan-favorite with sports fans in New Hampshire. It helps that the Patriots have been a dominant team in the 21st century.
The NBA is another popular betting option when it comes to this industry, and the Boston Celtics have a huge fan base in New Hampshire.
When it comes to MLB, there are actually two teams in the American League that are followed and supported by fans in this state. Those two teams would be the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays, but betting on baseball still isn’t possible.
Since the sports betting law prohibits betting on in-state college teams, sportsbooks don’t have that option to offer to sports bettors.
Tips for First-time Bettors in New Hampshire
For those who are looking to get into sports betting in the state of New Hampshire, take note of some tips that can help a first-time bettor out. Sports betting is extremely popular, but that doesn’t mean that everyone will find it easy to win some money.
One of the most important things for new sports bettors to remember is that you need to go into this industry with a plan. Not only do you need to have a plan in place as to which sports or bets you want to make, but you also need to focus on money.
Creating a bankroll management plan is an important first step, and deciding how much money you want to use for each bet is key. This is called a betting unit, and you are typically going to want to keep that unit the same size for all of your wagers.
Try to find a way to get some betting picks or predictions from an outside source as well as that can help put you on the right path to succeed. You should be looking for every possible advantage when betting on sports if you are going to try and beat the sportsbook.
The Future of Sports Betting in New Hampshire
There are some states in which it is clear that the future looks bright for sports betting, but it’s a bit unclear in New Hampshire. The current sports betting law does leave open the possibility of more sportsbooks coming to the state, but only a small number.
Since DraftKings Sportsbook has a monopoly on this market, there won’t be any other operators that are able to enter the state. That’s not going to create any new competition in New Hampshire, and it will limit the potential of growth for the state.
At some point, you should see more retail sportsbooks available throughout the state, but bettors are going to continue to make most bets online. New Hampshire will never be in a position to challenge as a top sports betting market, but the overall numbers should increase at some point.
Those who want to bet on sports in New Hampshire are going to have choices, although they are a bit limited compared to other states. DraftKings Sportsbook does provide a great source for sports betting, but it would be nice to see some other options come to the state.
