This bill proposes to increase the minimum age for sports betting in New Hampshire from 18 to 21 years. The legal language in the bill amends RSA 287-I:1, II, changing the definition of "authorized sports bettor" to specify that individuals must be at least 21 years old to place a sports wager. Additionally, RSA 287-I:7, I is amended to require age verification measures to block access to sports wagering for individuals under the age of 21. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

The fiscal impact of this legislation is significant, as it is projected to decrease state lottery revenue by approximately $320,000 in FY 2026 and by $640,000 in FY 2027 and subsequent years. This decrease is attributed to the loss of revenue from individuals aged 18 to 20, who contributed about 1.9% of gross gaming revenue in FY 2024. The Lottery Commission anticipates that this trend will continue, leading to a reduction in funds transferred to the state education trust fund as a result of the age increase for sports betting.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 287-I:1, 287-I:7