New Hampshire is one of only four US states that allow sports betting for bettors from 18 years old. However, a recent bill was proposed to raise the New Hampshire legal betting age to 21 years.New Hampshire Rules Out Raising Legal Sports Betting Age
After a meeting by the House Ways and Means Committee, it was voted 11-7 against advancing the bill, determining it was “inexpedient to legislate.” Due to this decision, the bill failed, as the majority opposed increasing the current age limit. As a result, New Hampshire’s legal sports betting age remains at 18 years going forward.New Hampshire Rules Out Raising Legal Sports Betting Age
Online sports betting has been legal in New Hampshire since 2019. Unlike most US states, NH implements a minimum legal sports betting age of 18 years. As a result, New Hampshire is one of the four states where sports betting is legal for anyone when they reach their 18th birthday.
A recent bill, HB 83, was proposed by New Hampshire legislators to increase this limit to 21 years. This bill was sponsored by several members of the state’s House of Representatives and Senates, including Rep. Michael Cahill and Sen. Ruth Ward.New Hampshire Rules Out Raising Legal Sports Betting Age
Various New Hampshire legislators stood up for the bill, stating that sports betting should have a higher age limit, similar to other “vices” in the state. Rep. Thomas Schamberg was among the members that stood behind the bill, stating:
“I think it’s important we make a statement for an age limit like we’ve done with alcohol, smoking, tobacco products, and vapes.”
From his own perspective, he believes that a higher age limit would help promote responsible gambling, when only older individuals can participate in sports betting.
Another Representative, Susan Elberger, suggested that if the age limit for sports betting was to be kept low, then the age limits for other vices should also be evaluated.
Although many committee members voted for the advancement of the bill, a larger portion was against it, citing the numerous disadvantages of increasing the sports betting age limit.
“It’s about personal liberties for state residents,” Rep. Cyril Aures said during the debate. “It’s a liberty issue for young people. If they want to bet with their money, let them bet.”
Furthermore, Representative Fred Doucette was also against the bill, saying that it would significantly reduce sports betting tax revenues for the state.
“We’re having a revenue issue as it stands. I can see revenues going down with this piece of legislation as written, at present,” he said.
This opinion was supported by a fiscal report attached to the bill. According to the estimate, sports betting generated more than $33 million in revenue during the 2024 fiscal year. The report showed that sports bettors under 21 in the state accounted for 1.9% of gross gaming revenue.
Due to that, raising the legal age to 21 would reduce New Hampshire’s sports betting revenue by $320,000 in the Fiscal Year 2026, $640,000 in 2027, and $640,000 every fiscal year thereafter.
After these vital points were considered, Bill HB 83 was outvoted 11-7. Therefore, the bill was declared ‘dead’ following the hearing.
Bill HB 83 failed after the majority of the New Hampshire Ways and Means Committee voted against increasing the minimum legal betting age to 21 years.
Therefore, alongside Kentucky, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C., New Hampshire still legally permits sports betting for anyone who is at least 18 years old.
