Key New Hampshire Lawmaker: ‘I Think Sports Betting Will Happen’

In New Hampshire, everyone – Gov. Chris Sununu, the House and the Senate – seems to want sports betting to live free in a regulated environment. But that doesn’t mean differing sports betting bills passed by each chamber won’t die in the final months of the legislative session.

Two days after the Senate passed legislation to authorize sports betting in the state by an overwhelming vote of 269-82, Sen. Lou D'Allesandro saw an opportunity.

For two decades, D'Allesandro has been trying to pass a bill to allow for two casinos in one of the few states left that doesn't have casino gambling. On many occasions, the Senate put such legislation in front of the House only to have it rejected.

Historical Context of Sports Betting in the U.S.

The landscape of sports betting in the U.S. has seen significant changes since the Supreme Court's 2018 decision in Murphy v. NCAA. This landmark ruling struck down the federal ban on sports betting, allowing states to regulate the activity as they see fit.

Prior to this decision, Nevada was the only state permitted to offer legal sports wagering. The ruling has since paved the way for many states to explore sports betting as a revenue source, with each implementing its regulations.

The effort came oh-so-close in 2014, failing by a single vote when the count deadlocked. However, it has since been soundly defeated.

Senator attaches sports betting to long-time NH casino effort

This year, D'Allesandro added sports betting to the casino bill but it couldn't even clear the Senate, losing by a 13-11 vote on March 7. Following passage of H 480 by the House, he convinced three Senators to switch their votes to yes in order to bring the bill back from the dead.

“With it being March Madness, you get more and more people thinking about sports betting and I think it carries with it its own momentum,” D’Allesandro said in a phone interview. “We put it through when we thought it could pass. Timing is everything in this life.”

D’Allesandro expects that the gambling bills will be part of the budget discussion throughout April, with the possibility of sports betting being approved in May. The New Hampshire legislative session goes to June 30.

Sununu already put $10 million from sports betting in his 2020-21 budget proposal, calling on lawmakers to “go all in and get it done.”

“I think sports betting will happen, and if it doesn’t happen now it eventually will happen,” D’Allesandro said. “I think it has become so pervasive that it can’t be denied anymore. But I’m not kidding myself. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

Differences between NH sports betting bills

The House bill authorizes sports betting to be run by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, which could choose ten lottery retailers and an online operator to partake.

In addition to calling for the casino expansion, S 310 permits sports betting at the casinos and through an “online sports pool operator.” The Lottery Commission would oversee sports betting as regulator but not participate.

Charles McIntyre, executive director of the NH Lottery Commission, tells Legal Sports Report that the bill could be changed to allow the lottery to participate along with the casinos, but it’s not something for which he’s advocating.

McIntyre does see a possible benefit of having the casinos partaking in sports betting.

“Some suggest that having a competitive, open market if the two casinos are built will drive more revenue growth as they compete against each other,” he said.

Current Sports Betting Landscape in New Hampshire

Since the legalization of sports betting, New Hampshire has implemented a strong framework operated by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. In partnership with DraftKings, the state offers both retail and online sports betting options accessible to residents and visitors.

This collaboration aims to maximize revenue while providing a secure and regulated betting environment. The state continues to monitor and adjust its approach to ensure it meets market demands and regulatory requirements.

D'Allesandro ready to play chicken

Imagine spending 20 years completing a task only to have it rejected by colleagues each and every year. D'Allesandro wants to bring legal sports betting to New Hampshire, but right now the issue is the means to an end of finally getting his casino bill through the House.

“I hope one drives the other in terms of momentum,” D’Allesandro said. “They voted for keno, they voted for sports betting. I think our bill becomes much more acceptable with votes taken and passed on those two items. I’m cautiously optimistic.”

If the House were to strip the Senate’s bill of the casino expansion and just pass sports betting, D’Allesandro asserted that wouldn’t sit well with the Senate.

“We have the opportunity to take the sports betting bill over here and add it on,” D’Allesandro said of the casino expansion. “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

Legislators often employ strategic negotiation and coalition-building to pass sports betting bills. Amendments may be added or removed to align with lawmakers' interests, ensuring broader support.

By balancing competing priorities, such as casino expansion versus sports betting regulation, senators like D'Allesandro adapt their approaches to forge necessary alliances.

Public Opinion on Sports Betting in New Hampshire

Public opinion in New Hampshire is generally supportive of legalizing sports betting. Surveys show that a majority of residents believe that regulation would provide better consumer protection and generate valuable state revenue.

This sentiment is echoed by advocacy groups who emphasize the benefits of a transparent, legal framework for betting.

Will NH let sports betting live free or die?

If the chambers pass differing amended versions of the bills, a committee of conference will be formed for the sides to work out their differences in the middle of May. McIntyre contends that such disparities usually are worked out in a committee of conference.

“I certainly haven’t heard a lot of negative comments about sports betting within the government,” McIntyre said. “The state wants revenue, recognizes that people are betting on sports illegally in a gray market and wants to bring that activity into the open.”

Now might just finally be the opportunity D'Allesandro has been waiting for to get casinos in New Hampshire, with sports betting providing the momentum.

“It took the lottery bill 10 years before it passed,” McIntyre pointed out. “The way laws work, you can have a no every year but it only takes one yes to get it approved. Sen. D’Allesandro is committed to waiting for the right moment when the tumblers come into place to get the casino bill passed.”

Economic Impact of Sports Betting in Other States

Other states with legalized sports betting have reported substantial economic benefits. For instance, New Jersey's sports betting market has significantly contributed to the state's economy, generating millions in tax revenue and creating numerous jobs.

Such positive economic outcomes serve as a model for states like New Hampshire, which hopes to replicate this success by tapping into new sources of revenue and economic activity.

Recent Developments in U.S. Sports Betting

As of January 2024, the legal sports betting landscape in the United States continues to expand. Currently, 37 states, along with Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, have operational legalized sports betting. North Carolina has also legalized sports betting with operations expected to begin later in 2024.

Moreover, 30 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico have legalized online sports betting, though in some states, betting is restricted to physical locations. These developments highlight the growing acceptance and integration of sports betting across the country, marking significant progress since the Supreme Court's decision in 2018.

Meanwhile, the NCAA's regulations for the 2024–25 school year still prohibit sports wagering activities among athletes and related staff, maintaining restrictions on gambling within college sports environments.

The post Key New Hampshire Lawmaker: ‘I Think Sports Betting Will Happen' appeared first on Legal Sports Report.

Original source: https://www.legalsportsreport.com/30827/new-hampshire-sports-betting-2019-effort/

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