New Hampshire iGaming Bill Stalled in Senate, but Games of Chance Still Up 19% Y-o-Y

While New Hampshire’s iGaming bill SB168 stalled in the Senate on February 5, the New Hampshire Lottery lottery released figures for games of chance, showing that land-based gaming is still going strong in the Granite State. In January, the state saw total revenues of $6.4 million, of which NH operators generated revenues of $3.5 million, a 17% increase from $2.9 million reported in January 2024. 

The Brook Casino generated the highest monthly revenue, reporting $882,154, up 25% year-on-year. It was followed by Gate City Casino and Chasers Poker Room, with $780,143 and $599,145, respectively. While Gate City Casino showed double-digit year-on-year growth of 38%, Chasers Poker Room showed a slight 3% growth compared to January 2024. 

Revo Casino in Manchester showed the largest year-on-year growth, almost doubling its revenue from $116,521 in January 2024 to $228,250 this year, recording a remarkable 96% uptake. 

Despite eight casinos reporting positive revenue growth in January, Acres + Eights Casino and Beach Club Casino both reported a negative turn, down 50% and 17%, respectively. Revo Casino in Keene was the final casino to report a revenue decline, decreasing from $106,672 to $96,639, a 9% year-over-year drop. 

Revenue by Game Type 

In addition to revenues derived from games of skill, the New Hampshire Lottery reported total gaming revenues of $6.4 million for January, comprised of $4.1 million from other table games, $1 million from cash poker, $991,940 from roulette, $117,471 from craps, and $68,490 from tournaments. 

The $6.4 million total revenues generated in January comprised $655,864 in state revenues, $2.2 million in charitable revenues, and $3.5 million in operator revenues. 

NH Gaming Bill Stalls

In a public senate hearing with few participants and little interest, only two witnesses, both opposing the bill, spoke and voiced their objections to New Hampshire’s iGaming bill SB168, which would allow for online casinos in the state, with each land-based casino potentially permitted to operate one skin of an online casino.  

“The brick-and-mortars have invested an enormous amount of money, energy and infrastructure to exist,” testified Alicia Preston of the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Association. “While tethering them to the online gaming will give them some financial benefit, it also will take away that street traffic.”   

The bill’s sponsor, Tim Lang, stated that the online casinos would be taxed and regulated according to the same guidelines as land-based casinos, adding an estimated $39 million to state revenue. Critics of the bill argued that online gaming would pull foot traffic away from established land-based casinos, with fears that the bill would inadvertently affect charitable gaming in the state.