New Hampshire’s gambling laws are typical of a New England state. While the Granite State has most forms of gambling, it is limited in such a way to avoid too much social damage. New Hampshire has casino gambling, but its poker and gaming machines are restricted mainly to poker clubs and racinos. Dog racing is allowed, though most pari-mutuel betting activity is limited to simulcasting these days.
New Hampshire has less punitive gambling laws than most other US states. In fact, New Hampshire has helped expand the gambling industry in the United States — at least in the case of lottery betting. It was New Hampshire which introduced the first state lottery way back in 1963, which opened the door to the vast expansion of lotto gaming in the United States today.
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Section 647.2(II)(d)
“Gambling ” means to risk something of value upon a future contingent event not under one’s control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that something of value will be received in the event of a certain outcome.
New Hampshire’s law enforcement prosecutes illegal gambling operators as misdemeanors as long as they are minor infractions of less than $2,000. If a threshold is crossed, though, New Hampshire prosecutes operators as felons. If $2,000 or more is collected in a single day, it is a felony. If more than $5,000 in revenues is collected in a month’s time for “future considerations” (sports bets), it is a felony.
Also, if an operator stays in business for 10 days or more in a row, that operator is committing a felony. Those unfamiliar with gambling laws might think that is a strange stipulation, but most charitable gambling venues across the United States are only allowed to operate a certain number of days in a year, a month, and a week. Those sites which only operate a day or two a week, therefore, are seen as less dangerous, while those which operate continuously are serious gaming operators committing serious crimes.
No. Online poker and online casinos are not legalized in New Hampshire. Mobile casinos and cardrooms also are unregulated. New Hampshire iGaming exists in a gray area. The activity is illegal, but law enforcement does not arrest online poker players who sign up at unregulated offshore online poker rooms. Online gambling might not operate in a gray area always, though.
Sen. Lou D’Allesandro is an indefatigable proponent of online gambling. The longtime Democrat state senator has championed several online gambling bills in the past 5 years. Each time, the measures have narrowly failed in the State Senate. The 2017 version of House Bill 562 lost by a single vote, so online gambling is closer to legalization than most outside New Hampshire know.
New Hampshire does not have legal sports betting. The US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018, so the state legislature has had less than a year to pass pro-sportsbook legislation. Nothing appears to be on the table at present, as New Hampshire seems more interested in building more land-based casinos, passing online poker, or legalizing online lottery sales.
New Hampshire has 13 card rooms and casinos. Most are small gaming venues with a half-dozen to a dozen poker tables. A couple of the casinos have a smattering of gaming machines. Visitors should not expect large casino operations, but instead find local card games with dedicated residents.
| City | Name Of Casino | Address | Phone Number | Details |
| Berlin | Northwoods Casino | 155 Emery Street, Berlin, New Hampshire 03570 | (603) 723-9550 | 3 Poker Tables |
| Claremont | Pleasant Street Gaming | 84 Pleasant Street, Suite B, Claremont, New Hampshire, 03743 | (603) 504-6065 | 7 Poker Tables |
| Hampton | Aces and Eights Casino | 169 Ocean Boulevard, Hampton, New Hampshire 03842 | (603) 926-2905 | 4 Poker Tables |
| Hampton | Ocean Gaming at Hampton Beach | 81 Ocean Boulevard, Hampton, New Hampshire 03842-3601 | (603) 601-6690 | 5 Poker Tables, 15 Gaming Machines |
| Hampton Falls | The Poker Room | 1 Lafayette Road, Hampton Falls, New Hampshire 03844-2327 | (603) 601-2486 | 27 Poker Tables, 4 Gaming Tables |
| Keene | Keene Casino | 222 West Street, Building D2, The Colony Mill, Keene, New Hampshire 03431-2455 | (603) 903-0181 | 13 Poker Tables, 3 Gaming Tables |
| Lebanon | Lebanon Poker Room & Casino | 45 Hannover Street, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03766 | (603) 678-5906 | 8 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Manchester | Manchester Poker Room and Casino | 1279 South Willow Street, Manchester, New Hampshire 03103-4015 | (603) 668-6591 | 30 Poker Tables, 7 Gaming Tables |
| Nashua | Boston Billiard Club | 55 Northeastern Boulevard, Nashua, New Hampshire 03062-3131 | (603) 943-5630 | 16 Poker Tables, 16 Gaming Machines |
| Nashua | River Casino and Sports Bar – Nashua | 53 High Street, Nashua, New Hampshire 03060-3312 | (603) 881-9060 | 12 Poker Tables, 6 Gaming Machines |
| Rochester | Speakeasy Casino at the Governor’s Inn | 78 Wakefield Street, Rochester, New Hampshire 03867 | (603) 978-3787 | 5 Poker and Gaming Tables |
| Salem | Chasers Poker Room | 7 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Salem, New Hampshire | (603) 912-4604 | 16 Poker and Gaming Machines |
| Salem | Cheers Casino and Poker Room | 286 North Broadway, Salem, New Hampshire 03079-2132 | (603) 921-2413 | 25 Poker Rooms, 10 Gaming Tables |
Yes. New Hampshire has two dog track racinos. New Hampshire is one of only 5 US states which still allows dog racing. Florida became the latest to ban dog racing in the 2018 elections, though its law won’t go into effect until 2021. Seabrook Park and Lakes Region Casino have pari-mutuel betting on greyhound races from around country. Both venues have simulcasts of dog races taking place elsewhere. Both also have gaming machines on site.
No. New Hampshire does not have off-track betting facilities. In a small state with a small population, the need for off-track betting is minimal. New Hampshire residents can drive to either of the dog tracks for pari-mutuel wagering.
| City | Name Of Casino | Address | Phone Number | Details |
| Belmont | Lakes Region Casino | 1265 Laconia Road, Route 106, Belmont, New Hampshire 03220-4248 | (603) 267-7778 | 10 Poker Tables, 7 Gaming Tables |
| Seabrook | Seabrook Poker Room | 319 New Zealand Road, Seabrook, New Hampshire 03874-4119 | (603) 474-3065 | 50 Poker Tables, 10 Gaming Tables |
Yes. New Hampshire has bingo gambling, casino nights, and Lucky 7 (L7) regulations. The New Hampshire Racing and Charitable Gaming Division oversees charitable gambling in the state. Casino nights allow poker, roulette, and blackjack. Players pay a “donation” or “admission fee”, then receive chips or “funny money” to make their wagers for the evening.
| City | Name Of Casino | Address | Phone Number | Details |
| Dover | Dover Bingo | 887 Central Avenue, Suite B, Dover, New Hampshire 03820-2506 | (603) 742-9632 | 125 Bingo Seats |
| Laconia | Funspot Bingo | 579 Endicott Street North, Laconia, New Hampshire 03247 | (603) 366-4377 | 400 Bingo Seats |
| Manchester | Community Bingo Center | 1050 Holt Avenue, Suite 9, Manchester, New Hampshire 03109-5615 | (603) 625-2345 | 300 Bingo Seats |
| Nashua | Eagle’s Wing Function Center | 10 Spruce Street, Nashua, New Hampshire 03060-3518 | (603) 883-8833 | 570 Bingo Seats |
| Somersworth | Seacoast Bingo | 451 High Street, Somerssworth, New Hampshire 03878-1010 | (603) 749-1849 | 250 Bingo Seats |
Because no money is involved, social gaming is allowed in New Hampshire. Sites like Zynga, Supercell, Activision Blizzard, and Korean Nexon are playable for New Hampshire residents. Double Down Casino and Big Fish Games can be played in the Granite State. Social gaming apps are available for downloads on Google Play (Android) and the Apple iTunes Apps store (iOS).