This bill allows municipalities to hold a referendum to prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel wagers on historic horse racing within their jurisdictions. It introduces a new section, RSA 284:22-c, which outlines the process for towns and cities to place the prohibition question on their ballots, either during annual town meetings or regular municipal elections. The bill mandates that a public hearing be held prior to the vote, and if a majority votes in favor of the prohibition, the lottery commission will not issue licenses for pari-mutuel wagering in that municipality. Additionally, municipalities that have voted to prohibit such sales can later reconsider their decision through the same voting process.

The bill also amends RSA 284:22-b to prevent the issuance of new licenses for pari-mutuel pools on historic horse races in municipalities that have voted to prohibit them, while allowing existing licensees to continue operating until their current licenses expire. The effective date of this act is set for January 1, 2026. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may affect future lottery revenues and the willingness of operators to invest in new gaming facilities in New Hampshire due to the uncertainty created by the potential for municipalities to prohibit historic horse racing at any time.

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