Four New Hampshire state senators stepped up in February 2025 with a fresh plan to bring online casino games to their state. The group wants to add New Hampshire to the small club of US states where players can spin slots and play blackjack from their phones and computers.

Senators Timothy Lang, Daniel Innis, Howard Pearl, and Keith Murphy put their names behind Senate Bill 168, which now sits in front of the Ways and Means Committee. The timing feels right for these lawmakers as they see other states making good money from online gaming while New Hampshire stays on the sidelines.

The state already knows a thing or two about making money from real-money games through its lottery and sports betting programs. Now these senators think it’s time to take the next step into the world of online casinos, even though similar attempts fell short before.

The New Plan Takes Shape

The bill wants to put the New Hampshire Lottery in charge of running the show, with a new division specifically created to watch over online casino operations. They’re thinking about giving out between three and six licenses to operators who would need to team up with actual gaming spots in the state.

These operators would pay big time as the proposed tax rate sits at 45% of their revenue. That’s a hefty chunk of change that could fill state coffers if everything goes according to plan.

A Bold Move on Age Limits

One part of the bill stands out from what other states have done. New Hampshire wants to let 18-year-olds play on these platforms. This would make them the first state to say yes to players between 18 and 20 trying their luck at online casinos.

The move goes against industry standards, as most regulated gambling markets worldwide stick to 21 as the minimum age for casino games.

This age rule raises eyebrows, especially since Representative Sally Fellows just introduced House Bill 83 to bump up the minimum sports betting age from 18 to 21. Her bill got its second committee look on Monday, showing how the state wrestles with these age questions.

The contradiction between these two bills points to broader debates about young adult gambling across the US. States like Massachusetts and New York explicitly banned anyone under 21 from their online casino plans, making New Hampshire’s proposal even more notable.

Learning from Sports Betting

New Hampshire’s current setup with sports betting might give some clues about how they’ll handle online casinos. Right now, DraftKings runs the whole sports betting show through a deal with the state lottery. They’ve got total control over both in-person and online sports bets.

But the online casino world might look different. Instead of giving one company all the power, the state seems ready to open doors for several operators to jump in and compete.

Senator Lang tried something similar in 2023; his bill made it through the Senate but hit a wall in the House. This time around, supporters think they’ve learned from past mistakes and crafted a better plan. They point to success stories in other states where online casinos bring in serious tax dollars while giving players a safe, regulated place to play.

Lawmakers now face the challenge of balancing economic benefits with responsible gaming measures. If SB 168 gains approval, New Hampshire could become a leader in online casino regulation and set an example for other states considering similar legislation. The question now is whether the bill can gain enough traction in the House after passing the Senate.