New Hampshire Considering Raising Legal Age for Sports Betting

The Granite State could be set to change its sports betting market forever.

House Bill 83 has been created in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. The bill would raise the minimum age for sports betting to 21. The bill will be introduced to the House’s Ways and Means Committee during the 2025 legislative session, which begins today.

The reason for the bill is a spike in problem gambling among younger bettors. The state has seen high school and college students struggle with gambling addiction, damaging their future before it has even begun.

While support for protecting the state’s young residents is high, the bill is expected to face pushback. That is primarily because it would cut into the state’s sports betting revenue. Many young bettors have been wagering using online sportsbooks but would be forced to give up the hobby if the bill is passed.

The state’s two sports betting operators will be unhappy with the proposal but may hesitate to attach their names to the opposition. Given the goal of protecting young bettors, opposition would be a bad look.

New Hampshire is one of the only four states to set its legal age for sports betting at 18.  

Is the Damage Already Done?

While the effort to raise the minimum age is underway, the damage may already be done. 

If the bill is passed, bettors under 21 will lose the ability to bet on sports. While some will give up sports betting, others may turn to offshore and illegal bookmakers. That presents more danger than betting with regulated sportsbooks and takes tax revenue away from the state.

Markets across the US have been trying to push out unregulated sports betting platforms. However, a lack of legal options makes it a difficult battle. That means HB 83 could ultimately do more damage than good, giving opponents ammunition to fight it in the New Hampshire legislature.