New Hampshire Casinos – Best Places to Gamble in NH
There are no commercial or tribal casinos in New Hampshire. Poker rooms can be misleading because they’re sometimes called “casinos”. These venues are operated by charities and generally only offer poker, with other games only allowed on designated casino nights. There are eight gambling establishments in New Hampshire that are permitted to host these events.
However, not all lawmakers in the state are content with this arrangement. Sen. Lou D’Allesandro has been trying to get commercial casinos legalized in New Hampshire for nearly twenty years. In 2014, he came close, but the proposed casino bill was defeated by a single vote. During the current legislative session, D’Allesandro has combined his casino gambling proposal with a new sports betting bill, potentially increasing his chances of success after all these years.
Related reading: New Hampshire online casinos
Reviews of New Hampshire Gambling Establishments
The River Casino & Sports Bar
The River Casino & Sports bar in New Hampshire is a gaming establishment that offers a variety of poker games, including Texas Hold’em. Casino night features table games like blackjack and roulette. The venue is moderately sized and has a casual, relaxed atmosphere. It first opened in 2007, and the cost of admission is free.
The casino also has a sports bar and restaurant that serves American-style cuisine. Customers can choose from a wide range of dishes, including burgers, wings, and sandwiches, as well as a selection of beer and cocktails.
The River Casino & Sports bar is located in the city of Nashua, New Hampshire. It is conveniently situated off of the Everett Turnpike and is easily accessible by car. The address is 53 High Street, Nashua, NH 03060. In addition to its gaming and dining offerings, the casino also hosts events and has a rewards program for frequent visitors.
The Boston Billiard Club & Casino
The Boston Billiard Club & Casino is also located in Nashua. The venue features poker games such as Texas hold’em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud. You can play blackjack, craps, and roulette during casino nights. The establishment offers a total gaming space of over 30,000 square feet, and has been open since 2014. Admission is free, and the casino offers a variety of affordable minimum bets for players.
The dining options at the Boston Billiard Club & Casino include a sports bar and restaurant, where guests can enjoy classic pub fare, craft beers, and signature cocktails while watching live sports on the big screens. The casino also offers a range of amenities, such as billiard tables, darts, and shuffleboard. There is no on-site hotel at this venue, but there are several nearby lodging options. The address of the Boston Billiard Club & Casino is 55 Northeastern Blvd, Nashua, NH 03062, United States.
Chasers Poker Room and Casino
Chasers Poker Room and Casino is a 7,000 square foot gambling establishment located in Salem, New Hampshire. The casino features a wide range of poker games such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, and many others. The venue also provides regular poker tournaments, including daily and weekly events. As with all other New Hampshire gambling venues, Chasers is a charitable organization that operates under strict state regulations.
The poker room has been in operation for several years and is open 24/7. Chasers does not have a hotel on site, but there are several nearby accommodations. The casino also provides an on-site restaurant and bar offering a selection of pub-style fare and drinks. The address of Chasers Poker Room and Casino is 7 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Salem, NH 03079.
New Hampshire Gambling Revenues
New Hampshire’s gambling industry has been growing steadily in recent years, with the state’s legal gambling revenue reaching $283.2 million in the fiscal year 2021. This represents a significant increase from the $243.9 million in gambling revenue generated in the fiscal year 2017.
The majority of the gambling revenue generated in New Hampshire comes from the state’s lottery, which accounted for $318.9 million in sales in 2021. The state’s two casinos, located in Manchester and Seabrook, generated $121.9 million in gross gaming revenue in the same year.
The revenues generated from gambling in New Hampshire are used to fund various programs and initiatives in the state. The state lottery is a major contributor to education funding in New Hampshire, with 25% of its revenue being allocated to the state’s education trust fund. The remaining lottery revenues are used to support various other state programs and initiatives, including environmental conservation and public safety.
The revenue generated from New Hampshire’s casinos is also used to support a variety of state programs and initiatives. In addition to funding education and other programs, a portion of the revenue from the state’s two casinos is used to support problem gambling services and addiction treatment programs. Overall, the gambling industry in New Hampshire plays an important role in funding various programs and initiatives that benefit the state’s residents.
Indian Gaming Tribes in New Hampshire
There are currently no federally recognized Indian gaming tribes in New Hampshire. However, the state has a long history of disputes over tribal recognition and land claims. In the 1980s, the Abenaki tribe of New Hampshire began seeking recognition from the federal government, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
More recently, in 2012, the New Hampshire legislature passed a bill recognizing the historic and cultural significance of the state’s indigenous people. However, the bill did not grant any formal recognition to specific tribes or provide any legal status for tribal governments.
The lack of federally recognized tribes in New Hampshire means that there are currently no Indian casinos or gaming operations in the state. However, the state’s two commercial casinos do offer a variety of gaming options and have become popular destinations for gamblers in the region.
A History of Gambling in New Hampshire
In the 17th and 18th centuries, lotteries were used as a way to raise funds for public works projects, including the construction of roads and bridges. The first recorded lottery in New Hampshire was held in 1744 to fund the building of a bridge over the Merrimack River.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, New Hampshire became known for its widespread illegal gambling operations, which were often tied to organized crime. In response, the state passed a series of laws in the 1930s and 1940s to crack down on illegal gambling, including a ban on slot machines and other electronic gaming devices.
In 1963, the state established its first legal lottery, which offered weekly drawings of numbers. The lottery was an immediate success, generating $4.8 million in sales in its first year of operation. Over the years, the state has expanded its lottery offerings to include a variety of games, including scratch-off tickets and online games.
In 2010, the New Hampshire legislature passed a bill allowing for the establishment of up to two casinos in the state. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that the first casino, the MGM-owned Encore Boston Harbor, opened just across the border in Massachusetts. The opening of the casino sparked renewed debate in New Hampshire over whether the state should establish its own casinos.
In 2019, New Hampshire also became the sixth state in the country to legalize sports betting. The state’s sports betting market launched in 2020 and is operated through a partnership between the state lottery and DraftKings, a leading sports betting operator.
Despite the growth of legal gambling in New Hampshire, there remain concerns about problem gambling and addiction. The state has implemented a variety of measures to address these concerns, including a voluntary self-exclusion program for individuals who want to ban themselves from participating in the state lottery and other forms of gambling.
Gambling Taxes in New Hampshire
If you live in New Hampshire and participate in gambling activities, it is important to understand the state’s gambling tax laws. In general, the state imposes a tax on all forms of gambling, including lottery winnings, casino winnings, and sports betting winnings. The tax rate varies depending on the type of gambling and the amount of the winnings.
For example, if you win more than $600 in a single lottery or gambling transaction, the payer is required to withhold 24% of your winnings for federal income tax purposes. In addition, the state of New Hampshire imposes a tax on lottery winnings of 5% for residents and 6.85% for non-residents. This means that if you win a $10,000 lottery prize as a New Hampshire resident, you will owe the state $500 in taxes.
Similarly, if you win money at a casino in New Hampshire, you will owe taxes on your winnings. The state imposes a tax of 10% on all casino winnings, with a minimum threshold of $1,200. This means that if you win $1,200 or more at a casino, the casino will withhold 10% of your winnings for state taxes.
If you participate in sports betting in New Hampshire, you will also owe taxes on your winnings. The state imposes a tax of 10% on all sports betting winnings, regardless of the amount. For example, if you win $1,000 betting on a football game, you will owe the state $100 in taxes.
In order to pay your gambling taxes in New Hampshire, you will need to file a state income tax return. If you are a New Hampshire resident, you will file a Form DP-10 to report your gambling winnings and pay any taxes owed. If you are a non-resident who won money in New Hampshire, you will file a Form DP-10NR to report your winnings and pay taxes.
It is important to note that gambling losses can be deducted from your gambling winnings for tax purposes. For example, if you win $10,000 at a casino but also incur $5,000 in losses, you can deduct the $5,000 in losses from your winnings, resulting in a net taxable amount of $5,000.
New Hampshire Gambling FAQ
How much can you win at New Hampshire casinos before being taxed?
In New Hampshire, if you win $1,200 or more at a casino, the casino is required to withhold 10% of your winnings for state taxes. This means that if you win $1,200 or more, you will receive a W-2G form from the casino that shows the amount of your winnings and the amount of taxes withheld.
How to ban yourself from casinos in New Hampshire?
If you are concerned about problem gambling or want to take a break from casino gambling in New Hampshire, you can self-exclude from all casinos in the state. To do so, you can fill out a self-exclusion form, available on the New Hampshire Lottery website, and submit it to the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. Once you have self-excluded, you will not be able to enter any casinos in the state for the duration of your self-exclusion period.
Who regulates gambling in New Hampshire?
The New Hampshire Lottery Commission regulates all forms of gambling in the state, including the lottery, casino gambling, and sports betting. The commission is responsible for licensing and regulating all gambling operators in the state, as well as enforcing state gambling laws.
What is the minimum gambling age in New Hampshire?
The minimum gambling age in New Hampshire varies depending on the type of gambling. For lottery and bingo games, players must be at least 18 years old. For casino gambling and sports betting, players must be at least 21 years old.
Can I gamble online in New Hampshire?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in New Hampshire. The state has authorized several online sports betting operators, which allow players to place bets from their computers or mobile devices. However, online casino gambling and online poker are not currently legal in the state.
What types of gambling are legal in New Hampshire?
In addition to the lottery and bingo games, casino gambling and sports betting are legal in New Hampshire. The state has authorized a single casino, located in Salem, and several sports betting operators that offer online and in-person betting.
Can I deduct gambling losses on my taxes in New Hampshire?
Yes, you can deduct gambling losses on your taxes in New Hampshire, as long as you itemize your deductions. You can deduct losses up to the amount of your winnings, but you cannot deduct more than your winnings. Keep accurate records of your gambling activities, including wins and losses, to ensure that you can accurately report your deductions.