A big change is taking place this week in the Granite State.
New Hampshire's gambling scene is transforming due to a new law that lets casinos have as many video lottery terminals as they want. Governor Kelly Ayotte approved this law, which is expected to significantly change the state's casinos.
Before this law, casinos could only have 230 to 300 video lottery machines at each location. Now, they can install an unlimited number. The move will allow the state's 14 casinos to replace the less profitable historical horse racing (HHR) machines with more VLTs.
Additionally, the state has increased the tax on the money generated by these machines and the extra money will be used for various social and charitable purposes.
What Does the New Hampshire VLT Law Change?
Under the new law:
- 31% Tax Rate: All revenue from the VLTs will face a 31% tax.
- Charitable Shares: 35% of the collected revenue will be funneled to local charities connected with each casino.
- Addiction and Prevention: 0.25% is designated for the Governor’s Commission on Addiction, Treatment, and Prevention.
- Social Programs: A portion also supports the Elderly-Disabled-Blind-Deaf Fund, alongside other state social programs.
There are no commercial casinos in New Hampshire. The Granite State maintains a unique gaming model, where all casinos operate in partnership with charitable organizations. This ensures that gambling benefits extend beyond the casinos, supporting numerous causes and community initiatives.
But there's ongoing talk about how to balance boosting state income with supporting charities. Some lawmakers have mentioned that if gambling profits significantly increase, they might reconsider how much money goes to charitable causes.
There's also a discussion about potentially adding casinos, but there are currently no plans to legalize online casinos in the state. Keep in mind, you also only have to be 18 to gamble in a New Hampshire casino, but 21 is the legal age for sports betting.
What Are VLTs?
VLTs are electronic gambling machines that closely mimic traditional slot machines. They're designed to offer a wide variety of games with faster play cycles than former machines, completing spins in about five seconds. These features are expected to attract more players and generate higher revenue.
The expansion is anticipated to significantly bolster the state's economy. Projections estimate annual gross revenues from VLTs could soar to nearly $471 million—more than doubling previous figures from historical horse racing machines.
In addition to video lottery machines, the 2025-26 budget permits casinos to hold high-stakes poker and other table game tournaments. High-stakes games are those where players must pay at least $2,500 to participate. In these tournaments, 5% of the casino's winnings will go to the state.
Gambling at Casinos in New Hampshire
In addition to VLTs and HHRs, New Hampshire casinos provide a variety of gambling options, including:
- Table Games: Players can enjoy classic games like Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Jackpot Hold’em, and Open Face Pai Gow. For example, The Nash Casino offers 28 table games and 19 poker tables.
- Poker: Many casinos have dedicated poker rooms with both cash games and tournaments, featuring games like Texas Hold’em and other popular types.
- Sports Betting: You can legally bet on sports, mainly through DraftKings Sportsbook, available online and at several casino locations.
- Lottery: State-run lottery games, including scratch-off tickets and multi-state games like Mega Millions and Powerball, are widely available.
- Charitable Games: Many places also offer bingo and other games, with profits going to local charities.
Even though betting on horse or greyhound races is legal, there are no active tracks in the state, but you can still place bets at certain locations.
New Hampshire residents can also access online gambling options like slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker, and live dealer games. However, these are usually provided by offshore or sweepstakes-style websites rather than state-regulated online casinos.
The new legislation is being called a game-changer for New Hampshire's casino industry, promising enhanced revenues and expanded support for charitable and social causes statewide.
