Poker Rooms in New Hampshire and More

“Casino” is a somewhat vague term in New Hampshire. These small establishments come under the approval of Charitable gaming structures, mostly card rooms with poker and a few other table games. The charitable gaming industry has spread across the state. Poker Rooms in New Hampshire and More presents a comprehensive look into gambling in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Poker Laws

The Granite State has tried several times to get a “real” casino within its borders, but proposals were every time. In comparison, New Hampshire’s poker rooms thrive! 

New Hampshire has a unique legal environment when it comes to poker. In a traditional sense, New Hampshire does not allow poker rooms or casinos. However, that doesn’t mean that poker is not allowed.

The New Hampshire poker scene is flourishing. The state’s laws regarding charitable gambling are some of the most expansive in the nation. As a result, nonprofits and other authorized groups can use gambling games like poker to fund themselves.

Nearly 400 charitable organizations receive funds through 27 small-scale venues such as malls and pubs.

After subsequent amendments, the max bet was incrementally raised over the years until a 2015 law ended the bet limitations. However, the law still maintains that players cannot buy in for more than $250 in a game session, so the games in New Hampshire can never get too big. With that said, the industry shows no signs of slowing down.

PokerAlas.com Reports

According to PokerAtlas.com, “New Hampshire’s poker scene is thriving. Players are restricted to a $150 maximum buy-in, regardless of the table stakes. The most popular variants are $1/$2 & $2/$4 No-Limit Hold ’em and Pot-Limit Omaha. A strong choice of rooms statewide boasts more than 300 poker tables. New Hampshire poker tournament players are free of any bet restrictions — hence regular tournaments run daily across the state, with newcomers able to build their skills at buy-ins as low as $10 and veterans having good options up to the $250 buy-in level.”

The various locations throughout the state are home to more than 300 poker tables with games running on any night.

New Hampshire has chosen to expand its charitable gaming opportunities to almost every type of gambling. Remarkably, residents and visitors to the state can play poker, craps, blackjack, and other manually-dealt games when administered by licensed charitable organizations.

Interestingly enough, the one aspect of these that’s noticeably absent is slot machines. According to New Hampshire’s charitable gaming law, using machines to do business is strictly prohibited.

It is legal to own a slot machine privately in New Hampshire at 25 years old or older.

The History Behind It All

The recent launches of online and retail sports betting in the state have added to the already robust gambling scene, given New Hampshire’s population and location. New Hampshire residents and visitors have any number of opportunities available at their fingertips or just down the road. There’s always something to do in the Granite State, from online sports betting, horse betting, and iLottery to charitable casinos with poker, blackjack, craps, and other table games. Here’s how they arrived at this point:

1964 – The New Hampshire Lottery debuts as the first modern lottery game in the US. The launch begins New Hampshire’s foray as one of the country’s earliest adopters of lottery games. Along with this launch, New Hampshire was also part of the first multi-state lottery agreement (with Vermont and Maine) in 1985. 

New Hampshire didn’t invent the lottery. But, they were the first to bring legal, state-administered lottery games back within the law in 1964.

New Hampshire was the first state to launch a state-administered lottery.

Gaming Laws Start to Take Shape

1977 – New Hampshire expands its charitable gaming options to include poker and other table games as authorized games for nonprofit fundraising. Bingo, already legal in the state, is now categorized with these other games. The expansion is broad enough to create casino-like properties in New Hampshire. All games are to be run by registered charity organizations.

2017 – New Hampshire legalizes daily fantasy sports with highly favorable terms for companies offering DFS inside state lines. Companies must register with the state, and there is no tax or fee associated with registration or operation.

2018 – The New Hampshire Lottery introduces iLottery games to the public. These games allow New Hampshire inhabitants to place bets on instant win games through their computers or mobile devices.

iLottery games are the closest gambling game to slot machines permitted in New Hampshire.

2019 – New Hampshire authorizes both online and retail sports betting. DraftKings’ debut in mid-2020 was the first retail sportsbook in New Hampshire.

Poker Rooms – New Hampshire’s “Casinos”

Are there land-based casinos in New Hampshire? Usually, this question is a yes or no proposition. However, for New Hampshire, the answer is “sort of.” New Hampshire poker rooms tend to confuse visitors because they are sometimes called “casinos.” Some establishments refer to themselves as casinos. Gambling games are played onsite, but they are not casinos in the traditional sense.

More About Charitable Casinos

New Hampshire charitable casinos have quite a bit of latitude regarding the games they can offer. If it can be manually dealt with or managed, it is probably legal under the New Hampshire statutes, so you can find a great variety from location to location.

Charity organizations operate such venues and, under normal circumstances, aren’t allowed to offer any gambling beyond poker. However, new Hampshire has expanded the options available to charitable organizations to an unusual degree. Where many states might allow charitable bingo and raffles, New Hampshire nonprofits can offer poker games, blackjack, craps, and almost any other game that does not require a machine to facilitate. In other words, most games aside from slot machines are permissible. However, according to New Hampshire regulations, casino games like blackjack or roulette can only be made available during designated “casino nights.” As it stands, eight gambling establishments are allowed to host such events.

Related post – What Makes the Ultimate Poker Room?

More About The Locations

Due to state law, casino locations are prohibited from operating what are termed “gambling machines.” Thus, every gambling game in New Hampshire must be touched by human hands to be legal.

Types of games at New Hampshire “casinos.”

• Live poker (Texas Hold ’em)
• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Craps
• 3 Card Poker
• Spanish 21
• Let It Ride
• Mississippi Stud

In addition, you can find some lesser-known games, depending on the location you visit. The only significant omissions in the game lineup are slot machines and video poker. 

Licensed Games of Chance Facilities – or “Casinos”

The properties called “casinos” in New Hampshire can be described as enhanced sports bars. They have all the trappings of a sports bar – massive televisions, extensive beer selection, etc. – but have an extra section with table games and live poker. At present, 17 locations throughout New Hampshire offer charitable casino gaming.

Click on each for more information. Many include the property’s website.

Out of all casinos in New Hampshire, you’ll find Boston Billiard Club & Casino to be the biggest, with 15 table games.

New Hampshire Casinos

Related Link – Boston, New Hampshire, and New England Poker Room Reviews

Sports Betting

In New Hampshire, officials in November 2019 gave DraftKings exclusive access to online legal sports betting in the state. DK holds exclusive rights in the state after it offered to pay 51% of gross gaming revenue from mobile and 50% from future retail in a six-year deal. Those percentages decrease if other operators enter the market.

DraftKings could have up to 10 retail locations in the state and an online sportsbook that you can bet from a desktop browser or its app with your smartphone.

On Aug. 12, 2020, DraftKings opened its first retail sportsbook in New Hampshire at The Brook casino in Seabrook. The Brook, formerly known as Seabrook Park, was rebranded and renovated by Eureka Casino Resorts after purchasing the facility in 2019.

Three locations to start in 2022:

• The Brook
  • 319 New Zealand Road, Seabrook, NH 03874
  • Phone: 603-474-3065
  • Hours: Mon-Thu: 11:30am-12:00am; Fri-Sat: 11:00am-1:00am;
    Sun: 11:00am-12:00am
• DraftKings Sportsbook at Filotimo
  • Manchester1279 South Willow Street, Manchester, NH 03103
  • Phone: 603-935-9947
  • Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:30am-9:30pm*; Sat & Sun: 10:00am-9:30pm*
    *Closes 30 mins after the last major sporting event ends. Typically around 9:30 pm.
• DraftKings Sportsbook at Filotimo
  • Dover887 Central Avenue, Dover, NH 03820
  • Phone: 603-742-9632
  • Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:30am-9:30pm*; Sat & Sun: 10:00am-9:30pm*
    *Closes 30 mins after the last major sporting event ends. Typically around 9:30 pm.

The Racing and Charitable Gaming Division

I kept the New Hampshire gaming specifics last for those who wish to get into the nitty-gritty of the Racing and Charitable Gaming Division legislation. Here are the basics:

• Online Poker Sites that accept American players
• Pari-mutuel wagering is allowed on simulcasts at state racetracks. Those racetracks, such as the historic Rockingham Park, also offer limited forms of other games like poker and blackjack, much of it under regulations permitting charitable gambling activity in New Hampshire.
• 55% of the revenue generated by these facilities goes to operating and management costs
• 10% is paid back to the state
• the remaining 35% is donated to local charities.

For a more intense look at the regulations, click Guide to gambling law in New Hampshire.

Summary

Who thought New Hampshire had poker and a meaningful gambling Spanish 21 history? Is one thing for sure – a real Brick-and-Mortar casino in NH? – Don’t count on it.

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