New Hampshire House Bill HB737

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/25
• Refer: 1/22/25
• Report Pass: 3/12/25
• Engrossed: 3/24/25
• Refer: 3/24/25
• Report Pass: 4/17/25
• Enrolled: 7/18/25

Caption

Creating local options for games of chance, authorizing keno throughout the state, and changing charitable gaming license fees and reporting requirements.

Impact

The legislation seeks to balance local preferences and state gaming oversight by allowing communities to dictate the presence of games of chance such as Keno. This could have significant effects on local economies, potentially enhancing fundraising opportunities for charities through regulated gaming events if municipalities choose to allow them. The establishment of clearer procedures for voting on these matters also aligns with broader initiatives to increase transparency and civic engagement in local governance.

Summary

House Bill 737 proposes to create local options for the operation of games of chance, specifically authorizing Keno throughout the state of New Hampshire. The bill aims to give municipalities the authority to vote on whether to prohibit the operation of games of chance within their boundaries. By default, Keno will be authorized unless a local government explicitly votes to ban it. This measure is intended to promote local control while also ensuring that the lottery commission will maintain a record of municipalities that choose to prohibit these games of chance.

Contention

A point of contention may arise regarding the local versus state authority in regulating gaming activities, particularly among stakeholders who view any form of gambling as contentious. Critics might argue that allowing local municipalities to decide could lead to a fragmented regulatory approach, complicating the gaming landscape. Additionally, concerns about the societal impact of expanded access to gambling and its implications on community welfare programs might surface, reflecting the broader debates on gambling in regional politics.