An influential opponent of online casinos has established a strong presence in the Granite State.
If you were expecting New Hampshire to be the next state to legalize online casinos, it might be time to rethink.
The Cordish Companies, one of the most prominent opponents of igaming, has secured approval to establish a presence in New Hampshire with plans to build a $200 million (£156.7 million/€188.9 million) facility, Live! Casino Salem.
Set to open in 2025, the $200 million Live! Casino Salem will feature 900 historical horse racing machines and over 40 table games. It is expected to contribute $128 million annually to the local economy.
With this development, the Cordish Companies will gain considerable influence in New Hampshire—a state once viewed as a strong contender for legalizing online casinos.
New Hampshire has come so close…
In 2023, the New Hampshire Senate approved an online casino bill, but it failed to progress in the House. The bill, introduced by Senator Timothy Lang, proposed allocating iGaming revenue to the state’s community college fund and setting a minimum gambling age of 18.
Lang has openly expressed his intention to reintroduce a similar iGaming bill in the 2025 legislative session, starting on January 8.
Considering that a previous iGaming bill passed in the House, coupled with neighboring states like Connecticut and Rhode Island already legalizing online casinos, New Hampshire seemed poised to follow suit. Lang’s determination to push the legislation further bolstered the state’s potential as a strong contender for legalizing iGaming.
However, the dynamic shifted with the arrival of Cordish Companies, a major player now investing heavily in the state.
This development doesn’t entirely eliminate the prospects for online casinos in New Hampshire. Yet, iGaming advocates now face a significant challenge in overcoming the opposition of Cordish Companies.
