New Hampshire HB 728: authorizing video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities and repealing historic horse racing licensing.

Bill Text

HB 728-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2025 SESSION

 25-0720

 02/08

HOUSE BILL 728-FN

AN ACT authorizing video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities and repealing historic horse racing licensing.

SPONSORS: Rep. Doucette, Rock. 25

COMMITTEE: Ways and Means

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ANALYSIS

 This bill authorizes and regulates video lottery terminals, and repeals the authorization of historic horse racing.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 25-0720

 02/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT authorizing video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities and repealing historic horse racing licensing.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Chapter; Video Lottery Terminals. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 287-I the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 287-J

VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS

 287-J:1 Definitions.

 In this chapter: 

 I. "Class III gaming machine" or "video lottery terminal" means any mechanical, electrical, or computerized contrivance, terminal, machine, or other device which, upon insertion of a coin, bill, ticket, token, or similar object therein, or upon payment of any consideration whatsoever, including the use of any electronic payment system, is available to play or operate, the play or operation of which, whether by reason of skill or application of the element of chance or both, may deliver or entitle the person or persons playing or operating the contrivance, terminal, machine, or other device to receive cash, billets, tickets, tokens, or electronic credits to be exchanged for cash or to receive merchandise or anything of value whatsoever, whether the payoff is made automatically from the machine or manually. The term "class III gaming machine" or "video lottery terminal" shall not include any mechanical, electrical, or computerized contrivance, terminal, machine, or other device which otherwise satisfies this definition, but which is operated through or utilizes the Internet or is played on or with assistance from the Internet. 

 II. "Video lottery terminal revenue" means the total of cash or cash equivalent wagers received by a video lottery terminal minus the total of:

 (a) Cash or cash equivalents paid out to players as a result of playing a video lottery terminal, whether paid manually or paid out by the video lottery terminal; 

 (b) Cash or cash equivalents paid to purchase annuities to fund prizes payable to players over a period of time as a result of playing a video lottery terminal; and 

 (c) The value of any personal property distributed to a player as a result of or in relation to playing a video lottery terminal, whether as a prize or otherwise related to video lottery terminal play. The term does not include counterfeit cash or tokens; coins or currency of other countries received in a video lottery terminal; or cash taken in a fraudulent act perpetrated against a licensee for which the licensee is not reimbursed. For the purpose of this definition, the term “cash equivalent” means an asset that is readily convertible to United States currency and coin. 

 III. The phrase “enclosure of the facility” means all real or personal property used by the licensee in the placement and operation of video lottery terminals, including without limitation, the restaurants, bars, hotels, entertainment amenities, parking lots and buildings at the charitable gaming facility. 

 287-J:2 License Required.

 I. An eligible game operator employer licensed under RSA 287-D may offer video lottery terminals provided such terminals are placed and operated within the enclosure of the facility at which the licensee holds its licensed activities under RSA 287-D. 

 II. In order to be eligible to offer video lottery terminals, the game operator employer shall have been licensed or eligible for licensure to sell pari-mutuel pools on historic horse races under RSA 287-D and under RSA 284:22-b as of the effective date of this chapter. A license shall not be transferred or sold. 

 287-J:3 Wagers.

 A wager on a video lottery terminal may take place provided that: 

 I. The terminals have been tested by an independent testing laboratory, approved by the lottery commission, to ensure integrity and proper working order. 

 II. Each licensee shall submit a responsible gaming plan to the lottery commission for review annually. Such plan shall include identification of postings and materials related to problem gaming to be made available to patrons expressing concerns about problem gaming, house imp