Ocean Gaming Casino, Lobbying Voters For A N.H. Sportsbook

• Selectman from New Hampshire voted 4-1 to allow voters to decide on the issue.
• Ocean Gaming Casino will need to make their case to the voters.
• Sports betting in New Hampshire was legalized in July.

HAMPTON, N.H. – Hampton Selectmen voted 4-1 last week to allow voters to decide if they want to bring sports betting to the city.

The Process To Open A Sportsbook

Back in July, New Hampshire sports betting was officially legalized. NH HB 480 tells cities in New Hampshire the entire process of how to open a sportsbook.

First, a potential sportsbook operator needs to petition to the city to allow retail sports betting in the area. Ocean Gaming Casino is the potential sportsbook operator for Hampton. After a review, city officials need to vote to bring the issue to the public. In this case, Hampton selectmen voted 4-1 to bring the topic of sports betting to the process.

Next up is a hearing. Before the residents from Hampton actually vote on the issue, public hearings need to happen first. Ocean Gaming Casino needs to convince the people of Hampton why legal sports betting is good for the city. In the case of New Hampshire, taxed sports betting revenue would go towards education programs. That is likely going to be the main argument from Ocean Gaming Casino. These hearings will happen in the near future.

“This is definitely going to happen starting in January. “We need this (article) to go forward if we expect this to happen here in Hampton,” said Selectman Rick Griffin.

Finally, Hampton residents will decide on March 10 whether their town will get a new retail sportsbook. If the voters give their nod of approval, then a new place to bet on sports will be allowed to open in Hampton.

What Sports Betting Would Look Like In Hampton

The structure of New Hampshire sports betting allows for a wide range of betting to happen. Bettors can freely wager on professional games and some college games. There is a restriction with collegiate sports betting. New Hampshire bettors are not allowed to bet on college teams from New Hampshire no matter where they play. Not only that, but no bets on college games happening in the state will be allowed. That is even if the games do not involve New Hampshire colleges.

One important thing to note is that New Hampshire will only allow for a limited number of sportsbooks to open in the state. There are only 10 retail sports betting licenses available in New Hampshire. Whether or not one of those sports betting licenses will come to Hampton is up to the voters in the city.

News tags: Hampton | New Hampshire | Ocean Gaming Casino | Rick Griffin