Is Gambling Legal in New Hampshire? NH Gambling Laws in 2026

What gambling is legal in New Hampshire?

The activity, provider and channel need the appropriate authority.

Activity	Current position
Charitable casinos	Current position Licensed facilities, organizations and operators.[2][11]
VLTs and HHR	Current position Separate authorized, operating machine channels.[12]
Sports betting	Current position Approved mobile, online and retail channels.[13]
Lottery	Current position Retail and actual online products.[5][9]
Horse accounts	Current position Licensed remote pari-mutuel wagering.[4][8]
Private poker	Current position Detailed residence-based exception.[14][1]
Bingo and raffles	Current position Specific charity and recreational permissions.[15][10]
Paid fantasy contests	Current position Registered operators and qualifying formats.[6][16]
Online casino/poker	Current position General state-authorized market not verified.[7][17]
Prediction markets	Current position Current state-specific legal outcome unresolved.

Are casinos legal in New Hampshire?

Yes, casinos are legal in New Hampshire within its charitable gaming framework. Current rules recognize casino facilities and approved table games, including poker, blackjack and roulette.^[2][11]

That 35% figure should not be applied to every VLT, historical racing or sports wager. Check the specific activity through the official compliance site.^[11][18]

Are slot machines legal in New Hampshire?

Yes, approved video lottery terminals, or VLTs, are legal at eligible licensed New Hampshire facilities. The regulator describes them as including traditional slot machines and electronic table games.^[7][19]

March 2026 Commission minutes reported revenue from both VLTs and HHR alongside continuing conversions. Both channels were operating; the transition did not mean every HHR machine had already disappeared.^[12]

HHR remains subject to licensed-facility and charitable-hours conditions.^[20]

Is online gambling legal in New Hampshire?

Some online gambling is legal in New Hampshire, including authorized sports betting, iLottery, licensed horse accounts and qualifying fantasy contests.^{[13][8][9][16]}

These permissions do not establish a general online casino or peer-to-peer poker market. VLT authority excludes internet-assisted devices. The online-gambling bill SB168 did not become law; its fiscal-note launch was hypothetical.^[7][17]

A working foreign website is not proof of state authorization. Our national online casino and online poker guides explain the separate frameworks.

Is sports betting legal in New Hampshire?

Yes, sports betting is legal in New Hampshire through approved channels. The Lottery currently directs players to DraftKings mobile, online and retail sports betting. Players must be 18 and physically in the state.^[3][13]

New Hampshire college teams and college events held in the state are generally excluded. The narrow tournament exception does not make every individual game bettable: for games involving a New Hampshire college team, the wager's outcome must depend on the outcome of all games in the tournament.^[3]

High-school events and amateur events primarily involving minors are also prohibited. Use the current approved markets, not an assumption that a nationally available wager is offered here.^[3]

A brand's casino or fantasy product has separate rules. See the US sports-betting overview for broader context.

How old do you have to be to gamble in New Hampshire?

Most mainstream channels require 18, but New Hampshire does not have one age rule for every game.

Activity	Minimum or qualification
Casino games, VLTs and HHR	Minimum or qualification 18.[11][21]
Sports betting	Minimum or qualification 18; physical state location required.[3]
Horse ADW accounts	Minimum or qualification 18; licensed provider and funded account.[4]
Online Lottery deposits/purchases	Minimum or qualification 18; account and location conditions apply.[22]
Entry-fee fantasy contests	Minimum or qualification 18.[23]
Ordinary licensed bingo	Minimum or qualification 18 restriction; specific statutory exceptions exist.[15]
Charity raffle tickets	Minimum or qualification 16.[10]

A narrowly permitted free children's bingo game is different from ordinary paid bingo. Supervised carnival admission does not itself permit a minor to gamble. Venue access and alcohol policies may impose additional restrictions.^[21][15][24]

Can you buy New Hampshire Lottery tickets online?

Yes, New Hampshire offers online Lottery draw games and eInstants through its official iLottery service. These are authorized Lottery products, not a general casino licence.^[5][9]

Current linked account terms require players to be at least 18, physically in New Hampshire for deposits and purchases, and a United States person under the referenced tax definition. That term is not simply another word for citizen, and the stated requirement is not New Hampshire residency.^[22]

A separate tri-state ticket rule allows an adult to buy a ticket as a gift for a minor. This product-specific exception does not allow an underage online account or establish a gift exception for every gambling product.^[25]

Follow the actual account instructions rather than assuming registration always requires a shop visit.^[9][22]

Is online horse betting legal in New Hampshire?

Yes, online horse betting is legal through compliant advance deposit wagering, or ADW, in New Hampshire. Providers accepting New Hampshire residents' wagers need a state licence.^[4]

Accounts must belong to natural persons aged 18 or older and use deposited funds; providers cannot extend wagering credit. Interim permission for unlicensed operation could not continue beyond January 1, 2026.^[4][8]

Check the regulator's ADW guidance and linked provider list. A horse-wagering listing does not approve the same company's casino or sportsbook.^[8][26]

ADW concerns wagers on live races. It is separate from HHR machines using completed races and does not establish a local live-racing calendar.^[20][8]

Are home poker games legal in New Hampshire?

Yes, home poker games are legal in New Hampshire when they meet the full private-poker exception. No rake alone is insufficient.^[14][1]

All these conditions apply:^[1]

• The game takes place in a private residence.
• The house receives no compensation from the prize pool.
• Nobody pays an admission fee or seat fee.
• Nobody receives conducting, hosting or other compensation except their own winnings as a player.
• The odds do not favor the house or any player.
• There is no house bank.
• No more than ten players take part.
• The game is not advertised to the public.

The exception is for poker, not every private wager or office pool. A public or commercial game cannot rely on friendship or a low entry price to replace the required authorization.^[14][1]

Charitable bingo, raffles and casino games

Charitable gaming requires the appropriate organization, operator and event permissions. A fundraiser is not automatically exempt from gambling rules.^[2][21][10]

Raffle rules have specific permit exceptions, including tickets sold at an event lasting no more than 12 hours and separate bingo-connected provisions. Those exceptions are not blanket permission for internet raffle sales.^[10]

A special campground or hotel framework permits limited guest bingo. Its children's version must be free, with limited hours and noncash prizes worth no more than $5; supervising adults cannot win. This does not authorize a public paid children's game.^[27][24]

Check the Commission's rules and licensing routes before advertising an event.^[18]

Are daily fantasy sports legal in New Hampshire?

Yes, daily fantasy sports are legal in New Hampshire when the operator and contest meet the applicable framework. Entry-fee operators must register, and paid players must be 18.^[6][23][16]

Key requirements include competing players, relative knowledge and skill, and results predominantly based on accumulated individual statistics. Outcomes cannot rest on one team's or combined teams' score, spread or performance, or solely one athlete's performance in one event. College, high-school and youth contests are excluded, and public prizes must be established and disclosed in advance.^[6][23]

The current linked list includes DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks and Underdog as fantasy registrants. That category does not authorize every branded format or sportsbook. Use the official fantasy registration page for the current list.^[16][28]

Are sweepstakes casinos legal in New Hampshire?

A sweepstakes label does not establish that a casino is legal in New Hampshire. The criminal statute's special sweepstakes-machine language concerns operator-linked machines and establishments.^[14]

That provision should not be treated as either a comprehensive internet dual-currency ban or permission for every online casino using free-entry language. See our sweepstakes casino legality guide for the wider distinction.^[14]

Are prediction markets legal in New Hampshire?

The current legal position of prediction markets in New Hampshire was not resolved by the sources reviewed for this guide. No state-specific order or complete current docket was verified.

Kalshi or Polymarket availability is not the same evidence as approval within New Hampshire's regulated sports-betting channel. The Lottery's confirmed sports route is separate from federal event-contract questions.^[3][13]

How to check New Hampshire gambling permission

Check the exact product, not just the provider's brand name.

If a lookup is inconclusive, contact Compliance on 603-271-7613. For broader context, see our US gambling-laws guide.^[18]