New Hampshire SB 104 Online Casino Bill Advances

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Fri Oct 02, 2026, 10:00 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

New Hampshire SB 104 Online Casino Bill Advances

industry

New Hampshire has revived its online casino push with a new Senate Bill 104 in 2026. The current SB 104 advanced through the state Senate by a 13-11 vote. It now moves to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration.

The development marks a new chapter in New Hampshire's efforts to authorize regulated online casino gaming.  New Hampshire lawmakers previously considered SB 104 in 2023. They later pursued online gaming through SB 168 in 2025. 

The 2026 SB 104 represents the latest effort to move the proposal forward.

SB 104's Path in the 2026 Session

The current SB 104 would establish a regulated framework for online casino gaming in New Hampshire.

If lawmakers approve it, licensed operators could offer games such as blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat and craps. The proposal would also establish safeguards involving age verification, identity checks, geolocation and responsible gambling measures.

The Senate approved the current version by only two votes. As a result, the Finance Committee now faces an important role in determining whether the proposal can continue through the Legislature.

The bill's financial implications will likely remain central to that review. Supporters have highlighted potential revenue from online casino gaming and proposed funding for community college scholarships. 

Current reporting indicates that approximately 35% of net online casino profits could support scholarships.

The proposal would also expand the state's regulated gambling market beyond its existing online sports betting framework.

The 2023 SB 104 Took a Different Path

The 2026 measure shares its number with a failed 2023 proposal, but the two bills belong to different legislative sessions.

Sen. Tim Lang sponsored the 2023 SB 104, which sought to regulate online gambling and direct net proceeds toward a community college education scholarship fund. The Senate initially approved the bill by a 13-11 vote on February 22, 2023.

The bill later reached the House. However, the House Ways and Means Committee recommended it as Inexpedient to Legislate in a unanimous 20-0 vote. The House then indefinitely postponed the legislation on May 4, 2023.

The current 2026 SB 104 produced another 13-11 Senate vote, but it represents a separate legislative effort.

SB 168 Became the 2025 Attempt

Lawmakers tried again in 2025 with SB 168. That proposal sought to establish online gaming in New Hampshire while addressing the relationship between online operators and the state's existing charitable gaming sector. The bill ultimately failed to become law.

The 2025 effort is important because it demonstrates that the state's online casino debate did not end with the 2023 SB 104. Instead, lawmakers continued exploring different approaches before introducing the current 2026 proposal.

The legislative history can therefore be summarized clearly:

  • 2023: SB 104 passed the Senate but was indefinitely postponed by the House.
  • 2025: SB 168 became the next major online casino proposal but failed to advance into law.
  • 2026: A new SB 104 advanced through the Senate by 13-11 and now heads to the Finance Committee.

Charitable Gaming Remains a Major Issue

The history also highlights one of the biggest challenges facing the current proposal.

New Hampshire has an established charitable gaming industry that could face competition from online casino gaming. Critics have argued that digital casino games could shift customers and revenue away from physical charitable gaming venues. Current reporting identifies charitable gaming operators as a source of opposition to the 2026 bill.

That debate remains central to New Hampshire gambling policy. Supporters see iGaming as a potential source of new revenue, while opponents have raised concerns about its effect on existing charitable gaming operations.

For consumers following US online casinos, New Hampshire does not yet have a regulated real-money online casino market. The current SB 104 has only advanced to another stage of the legislative process.

What Happens Next?

The Senate Finance Committee will now consider the 2026 SB 104. Its review will provide the next major test for the proposal.

The bill must still clear additional legislative steps before New Hampshire could authorize online casinos. Consequently, the recent 13-11 vote represents progress, but it does not establish legal online casino gaming in the state.

New Hampshire's legislative history shows why the current proposal deserves close attention. The 2023 SB 104 failed after reaching the House, while the 2025 SB 168 also failed to produce legalization.

The 2026 SB 104 now offers lawmakers another opportunity to address online casino regulation, revenue and charitable gaming. Its progress through the Finance Committee will determine whether this latest effort can move beyond the Senate.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.