New Hampshire became the 16th state to introduce legal sports wagering late last week after Governor Chris Sununu signed sports betting bill H 480 onto the statute books. The state’s sports betting fans will be able to wager on professional sports and most Division 1 college sports, but not on school events.

In the absence of any casinos and racetracks in New Hampshire, terrestrial sports betting will be available through retail locations, of which there will be 10, with five mobile operator licenses up for grabs. Regulation will be meted out by the State Lottery Commission

In terms of projected revenues, policy makers in the state are aiming to generate circa $7.5m in 2021, nearly doubling to $13.5m in the following two-year period. 

Welcoming New Hampshire’s passing of sports betting into law was the American Gaming Association which released a statement following Sununu’s signature. “The American Gaming Association applauds Governor Sununu and the New Hampshire legislature for legalizing sports betting, becoming the third previously non-gaming jurisdiction, after Tennessee and Washington DC, to authorize wagering on sports,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO. 

He added: “New Hampshirites will now have a convenient, secure alternative to the dangerous illegal market that has operated in the state and across the country for decades. I’m encouraged that New Hampshire lawmakers joined their colleagues across the country in rejecting harmful integrity fees and official data mandates that interfere with the legal market’s ability to compete with illegal operators.”

Looking at the timescale for getting sports betting underway, it’s likely that there will be a wait until early 2020 at the soonest, with summer a more realistic prospect. Bidding for the licenses is scheduled for the New Year