- A new bill would raise the New Hampshire minimum sports betting age
- If approved, New Hampshire would raise its sports betting age to 21
- The move would decrease the state’s annual sports betting revenue by several hundred thousand dollars
Several New Hampshire lawmakers are hoping to bring the state into the world of 21-and-over sports betting.
The bill, HB 83, seeks to raise the New Hampshire minimum sports betting age from 18 to 21. The bill was pre-filed in the New Hampshire House of Representatives and will be introduced on Wednesday, Jan. 8. It will then be referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
The move, however, would have a detrimental effect on the state’s annual sports betting revenue (and its lone sports betting operator).
Legislation Reduces Overall Sports Betting Revenue
The bill is being sponsored by several member of both the New Hampshire House of Representatives and Senate, including Rep. Sallie Fellows (D-8), Rep. Michael Cahill (D-10), Sen. Ruth Ward (R-8), and Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D-5).
New Hampshire has been somewhat of an outlier in the U.S. sports betting world. The Granite State is one of just four markets in the country to allow those as young as 18 to vote and only has one licensed operator, DraftKings.
The other states or markets that allow 18 and older sports betting are Kentucky, Washington, D.C., and Wyoming.
It’s not a bustling sports betting market, to say the least, but the potential law to raise the minimum sports betting age to 21 would annually reduce revenues by several hundred thousand dollars, according to financial estimates.
The state took in more than $33.6 million in sports betting revenues in FY 2024. It’s estimated that sports bettors under the age of 21 in the state accounted for approximately 1.9% of gross gaming revenue, which would be $639,443 in total.
The bill, which would be effective on Jan. 1, 2026, would decrease the state’s sports betting revenues by $320,000 in FY 2026, by $640,000 in FY 2027, and $640,000 every fiscal year thereafter.
“Sports betting revenue can shift based on a variety of factors, however, the Lottery Commission expects this number to remain consistent for FY 2026 and beyond. Considering this bill is effective halfway through FY 2026, it is expected to decrease state lottery revenue, and transfer to the education trust fund, by approximately $320,000 in FY 2026 and by $640,000 in FY 2027 and each year thereafter,” bill sponsors wrote.
Does This Matter for DraftKings?
New Hampshire is unique in the fact that it not only has one of the highest sports betting tax rates in the country at 51% of sports betting tax revenue, but only offers DraftKings as its lone operator.
While the sports betting market isn’t massive, any decrease in revenue is likely to ruffle a few feathers at DraftKings when the operator is scratching and clawing for every penny. The operator is searching for new ways to bring in additional revenues in highly taxed states — see its newest subscription service for sports bettors in New York — and any reduction in the market is unlikely to make anyone at the company happy.
But, DraftKings will not likely speak up against the bill. Arguing to keep the minimum sports betting age at 18, when the proposed legislation is in the name of responsible gaming, would not be a good look for the operator.
New Hampshire is currently considering increasing the minimum age for sports betting in the state. The current minimum age to participate in sports betting in New Hampshire is 18, but lawmakers are debating whether to raise it to 21.
One of the main reasons for this potential change is the concern over the impact of sports betting on young adults. Studies have shown that individuals who start gambling at a young age are more likely to develop gambling problems later in life. By raising the minimum age for sports betting, lawmakers hope to protect young adults from the potential negative consequences of gambling.
Another reason for potentially increasing the minimum age for sports betting is to align with other forms of gambling in the state. In New Hampshire, the legal age to participate in other forms of gambling, such as casino gaming and lottery tickets, is 21. By raising the minimum age for sports betting to 21, lawmakers would create consistency across all forms of gambling in the state.
However, there are also arguments against raising the minimum age for sports betting. Some believe that individuals who are 18 years old should have the right to make their own decisions about gambling. Additionally, raising the minimum age could potentially drive young adults to illegal or offshore sports betting sites, where they may not be protected by state regulations.
Ultimately, the decision to increase the minimum age for sports betting in New Hampshire will come down to weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks. Lawmakers will need to consider factors such as protecting young adults from gambling addiction, aligning with other forms of gambling regulations, and ensuring that individuals have access to safe and regulated sports betting options.
