Sports betting is now legal in New Hampshire, after the governor signed a bill Friday that supporters said could mean a windfall for the state.The New Hampshire Lottery will essentially act as the gatekeeper for sports betting, which will be regulated through a new Division of Sports Betting. Under the new law, 15 licenses will be released, 10 for retail locations and five for online betting.>> Download the FREE WMUR app"Those folks have to get local approval first before they can get negotiate with us," said Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery.>> Read the bill: HB 480State officials are predicting a big revenue windfall."The budgets contained $10 million in year two," McIntyre said. "So, $10 million is our profit projection, and I think we can hit that comfortably.""It goes right back to the schools," Gov. Chris Sununu said. "This year, we crossed over $100 million for the first time out of New Hampshire Lottery going right back into the schools. That's real money."Many Granite Staters said it makes sense for the state to legalize sports betting."It was going on before, and it wasn't legal," said Marc Coulon, of Candia. "Now that the government is going to get a little piece of the action, it's going to be good all around."With the new law comes concerns over problem gambling. "The bill does have some provisions in it where it requires the online gamer, specifically, and even some of the retailers to watch for problem gaming, where you have betting that's occurring that's indicative of problem gaming," said Rep. Tim Lang, R-Sanbornton. "They can pull people out, saying, 'You can't bet anymore.'"Under the new law, betting on local college sports teams is not allowed.The first legal bets are expected to be made next year.

Sports betting is now legal in New Hampshire, after the governor signed a bill Friday that supporters said could mean a windfall for the state.

The New Hampshire Lottery will essentially act as the gatekeeper for sports betting, which will be regulated through a new Division of Sports Betting. Under the new law, 15 licenses will be released, 10 for retail locations and five for online betting.



Advertisement Related Content NH Lottery looking for vendors, retailers for sports betting

>> Download the FREE WMUR app

"Those folks have to get local approval first before they can get negotiate with us," said Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery.



>> Read the bill: HB 480

State officials are predicting a big revenue windfall.

"The budgets contained $10 million in year two," McIntyre said. "So, $10 million is our profit projection, and I think we can hit that comfortably."

"It goes right back to the schools," Gov. Chris Sununu said. "This year, we crossed over $100 million for the first time out of New Hampshire Lottery going right back into the schools. That's real money."

Many Granite Staters said it makes sense for the state to legalize sports betting.

"It was going on before, and it wasn't legal," said Marc Coulon, of Candia. "Now that the government is going to get a little piece of the action, it's going to be good all around."

With the new law comes concerns over problem gambling.

"The bill does have some provisions in it where it requires the online gamer, specifically, and even some of the retailers to watch for problem gaming, where you have betting that's occurring that's indicative of problem gaming," said Rep. Tim Lang, R-Sanbornton. "They can pull people out, saying, 'You can't bet anymore.'"

Under the new law, betting on local college sports teams is not allowed.

The first legal bets are expected to be made next year.

