New Hampshire’s push for legal online casinos is still alive after senators backed SB 104 by a narrow 13-11 vote, sending the proposal to the Senate Finance Committee for its next test.
Online Casino Plans Move Forward
Senate Bill 104 would create a regulated online casino market in New Hampshire, opening the door to games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker and craps.
The bill still has several hurdles to clear before becoming law. Its next stop is the Senate Finance Committee, where lawmakers will dig into the financial impact and proposed rules for the market.
For players, the proposal would bring casino gaming much closer to the setup already used for legal online sports betting in the state. New Hampshire currently offers mobile sports betting through DraftKings and the New Hampshire Lottery.
Player Checks And Gambling Controls
SB 104 includes age and identity checks, along with geolocation technology designed to make sure customers are physically inside New Hampshire when gambling online.
The framework also includes wagering controls and voluntary self-exclusion tools.
Those measures would give players access to regulated casino sites rather than leaving offshore operators as one of the few online alternatives. The trade-off, naturally, is a tightly controlled market with location checks and other compliance requirements built into the experience.
Casino Revenue Could Fund Scholarships
Supporters are also pitching online casinos as a new source of state revenue.
Around 35% of net online casino profits would be directed toward scholarships within the Community College System of New Hampshire. Another 10% would go to the New Hampshire Lottery to cover the cost of running and overseeing the market.
Backers estimate the state could generate roughly $5 million in the first year, rising to $20 million in year two and $30 million by the third year.
Those figures will likely receive plenty of attention as the Finance Committee weighs whether the potential tax haul justifies expanding gambling further.
Charitable Casinos Push Back
Not everyone is eager to see online casinos arrive.
New Hampshire has around 16 charitable gaming venues offering casino-style games and poker, with part of their revenue supporting nonprofit groups. Opponents fear mobile casino apps could keep players at home and drain money from those venues.
Senator Bill Gannon has argued that online gambling expansion could reduce funding flowing to charities.
Churchill Downs, owner of Chasers Poker Room and Casino in Salem, has also opposed the proposal through lobbyist and former Senate president Peter Bragdon.
New Hampshire Has Been Here Before
Legal iGaming has made previous runs at the New Hampshire legislature without getting across the finish line.
An earlier online casino proposal passed the Senate in 2023 before stalling in the House, while another measure, SB 168, was tabled in 2025.
That history makes the 13-11 Senate vote progress rather than a breakthrough. For players hoping to spin slots or play table games legally from home, the wait is far from over, but SB 104 remains in the game.
