New Hampshire
Gambling Laws 2026

Sports betting is legal in New Hampshire, one of 36 states where it is, as of May 2026. There are no casinos, and online casino gambling is illegal. New Hampshire has a state lottery.

New Hampshire was the first state to establish a modern state lottery in 1964, predating the lottery wave that swept other states in the following decades. That lottery is still active and competitive. The state authorized sports betting in 2019, launching in December of that year. DraftKings won the exclusive mobile and online sports betting contract, which made it one of DraftKings' earliest and most important market launches. Mobile betting is fully legal and works statewide.

There are no casinos in New Hampshire. The legislature has considered casino bills over the years, and neighboring states like Connecticut and Massachusetts have drawn New Hampshire gambling revenue to their casino resorts. The absence of casinos is a policy choice that has persisted despite pressure from potential developers.

For residents, New Hampshire is an odd mix. The lottery is active and the sports betting market works well through the DraftKings app. But there is no casino in the state. If you want table games or slots, Massachusetts has Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield within reasonable driving distance from most of the state. Online casino gambling is not legal in New Hampshire.

No casinos but very active lottery (one of the first modern state lotteries). Sports betting launched 2019.

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More on New Hampshire

Also on New Hampshire: the full New Hampshire profile covers taxes, cost of living, crime and schools, and the county map lets you compare every county in the state. For related rules, read the New Hampshire sex laws guide and the New Hampshire country music guide.