This bill establishes a cap on the amount of charitable gaming revenue that can be awarded to any single charitable organization from historic horse race wagering and games of chance, limiting it to $50,000 per calendar year. The bill amends existing laws by inserting provisions that state no licensee shall distribute more than this amount to any one charity, and any excess revenue collected beyond this limit must be paid to the Lottery Commission for use in a special fund established under RSA 284:21-j. Additionally, the bill emphasizes that preference should be given to charitable organizations located within the executive council district of the licensee, and no organization can receive revenue for more than 10 dates within a 12-month period.

The fiscal impact of this bill is significant, as it is projected to increase state lottery revenue by approximately $18.6 million annually starting in FY 2026. This increase is attributed to the fact that many charities currently receive more than the proposed cap of $50,000, resulting in excess funds that would now be redirected to the Lottery Commission. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to ensure a more equitable distribution of charitable gaming revenues while enhancing state funding through the lottery system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 284:23, 287-D:19