STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
SENATE
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Thursday, April 17, 2025
THE COMMITTEE ON Ways and Means
to which was referred HB 737-LOCAL
AN ACT creating local options for games of chance.
Having considered the same, the committee recommends that the Bill
OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT
BY A VOTE OF: 5-0
AMENDMENT # 2025-1638s
Senator Timothy Lang
For the Committee
HB737 gives local municipalities an option to vote to prohibit the operation of games of chance within their boundaries upon receipt of a petition signed by at least 25 registered voters. The Ways and Means committee amendment does several things. First, it allows the legislative body of a city to vote to put the question of whether or not to allow the operation of games of chance within that city on the ballot. The question can also be placed on a ballot in a city upon receipt of a petition signed by at least 5% of registered voters. Second, beginning on January 1, 2027, Keno will automatically be permitted unless a municipality votes to prohibit it between now and that date. Third, the amendment makes changes to charitable gaming licensing fees and reporting requirements as requested by the Lottery Commission to eliminate confusion that arose after the law regarding licenses for games of chance operators was changed in 2023 to a 3-year license. The law, however, still required a yearly attestation and that created confusion. This will remove the yearly attestation filing, making it a true 3-year license.
Sonja Caldwell 271-2117
FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Ways and Means
HB 737-LOCAL, creating local options for games of chance.
Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 5-0.
Senator Timothy Lang for the committee.
HB737 gives local municipalities an option to vote to prohibit the operation of games of chance within their boundaries upon receipt of a petition signed by at least 25 registered voters. The Ways and Means committee amendment does several things. First, it allows the legislative body of a city to vote to put the question of whether or not to allow the operation of games of chance within that city on the ballot. The question can also be placed on a ballot in a city upon receipt of a petition signed by at least 5% of registered voters. Second, beginning on January 1, 2027, Keno will automatically be permitted unless a municipality votes to prohibit it between now and that date. Third, the amendment makes changes to charitable gaming licensing fees and reporting requirements as requested by the Lottery Commission to eliminate confusion that arose after the law regarding licenses for games of chance operators was changed in 2023 to a 3-year license. The law, however, still required a yearly attestation and that created confusion. This will remove the yearly attestation filing, making it a true 3-year license.