One notably anti-icasino entity has gained a significant foothold in the Granite state
If you were banking on New Hampshire becoming the next state to legalise online casinos, it may be time to reconsider.
That’s because one of the most powerful igaming opponents – Cordish Companies – has received approval to plant its flag in New Hampshire and build a $200 million (£156.7 million/€188.9 million) casino, Live! Casino Salem.
Slated to open in 2025, the casino will include 900 historical horse racing machines and more than 40 table games. It is projected to inject $128 million annually into the region’s economy.
That gives Cordish Companies a significant amount of sway in New Hampshire. The market had previously been seen as a candidate to become the next to legalise online casinos.
New Hampshire has come so close…
In 2023, the New Hampshire senate passed an online casino bill. But it stalled out in the house. The bill, filed by senator Timothy Lang, would have sent igaming revenue to the state’s community college fund and set the minimum age at 18.
Lang has been vocal about wanting to resurface another igaming bill during the 2025 legislative session, which begins 8 January.
With all the factors combined – an igaming bill passed the house in the last legislative session, other New England states (Connecticut and Rhode Island) have already legalised online casinos and Lang seemed intent on trying again in 2025 – New Hampshire had seemed like a strong contender for igaming.
However, this was before Cordish Companies became a player in the state.
This isn’t to say chances for New Hampshire online casinos are nonexistent. But the state’s igaming advocates just gained a powerful opponent in Cordish Companies.
Just ask Maryland.
Read the full story here.
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