New Hampshire needs to review its regulation of gaming.Proliferation of gaming is a concern, but one with no clear solution.Expansion will increase the number of problem gamblers.Expanded gaming would generate additional revenues and economic activity, but it would also generate additional societal and economic costs.John Lynch in 2009 studied the issue for several months and reached the following conclusions in its final report:

None of the bills passed in the Legislature, but the issue is still hotly debated because of continuing state budget problems.Ī gaming commission formed by then-Gov. To deal with the state's budgetary stresses, worsened by the recent recession, several bills were introduced in the Legislature during the 2009-2012 sessions to legalize video slot machines at race tracks (racinos), certain hotels and resorts, or at state-owned facilities. An undetermined number of residents also gamble online on illegal gambling websites that are not state regulated. New Hampshire also permits several other forms of gambling, such as bingo and poker, with a portion of proceeds benefitting charities. State revenue for gambling goes towards education programs, and since our official lottery began over $1.8 billion has been generated for this purpose. We were the first state to have a lottery, which was established in 1964, and in 2017 it generated net revenue of $76 million. Some forms of gambling have been permitted in New Hampshire since 1933, when pari-mutuel betting began, followed by the opening of the Rockingham Park horse track and later the Seabrook dog track.*

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