This bill introduces a local option for municipalities to vote on whether to prohibit the operation of games of chance within their boundaries. It amends RSA 287-D by adding a new section, 287-D:32, which outlines the process for municipalities to hold a vote on this issue. The bill specifies that if a municipality votes to prohibit games of chance, the lottery commission will not grant licenses for such operations in that area. The voting process requires a petition signed by a certain percentage of registered voters, followed by a public hearing and a subsequent vote. The wording of the ballot question varies depending on whether games of chance are currently in operation in the municipality.

Additionally, the bill allows municipalities that have voted to prohibit games of chance to later rescind that decision through a similar voting process. It also provides that unincorporated places can disallow games of chance by a majority vote of the county delegation after a public hearing. Furthermore, municipalities that prohibit games of chance may still allow a limited number of charitable gaming events per year, as specified in the bill. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2025.