This bill allows municipalities to hold a referendum to prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel wagers on historic horse racing. It introduces a new section, RSA 284:22-c, which outlines the process for towns and cities to place the question on their ballots, conduct public hearings, and ultimately vote on whether to ban such wagers. If a majority votes "Yes," the lottery commission will not issue licenses for pari-mutuel wagering in that municipality. The bill also allows municipalities that have voted to prohibit these wagers to reconsider their decision in future elections. Additionally, it specifies that existing establishments with licenses can continue to operate until their current licenses expire, but those licenses will not be renewed.

The bill amends RSA 284:22-b to state that no new licenses for pari-mutuel pools on historic horse races will be issued in municipalities that have voted to prohibit such operations. The effective date of the bill is set for January 1, 2026. The fiscal impact is indeterminable, as it is unclear how many municipalities may choose to prohibit historic horse racing wagers and how this will affect overall lottery revenues. The Lottery Commission has expressed concerns that the uncertainty created by this bill may deter investment in new gaming facilities in New Hampshire.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 284:22-b
HB668 text: 284:22-b