New Hampshire’s municipal elections saw voters in five cities support the launch of retail wagering in their communities, with a view to launching the venues early next year.
Of the nine cities that put the sports betting question on the ballot, residents of Berlin, Claremont, Laconia, Manchester and Somersworth backed the move. It was voted down in Concord, Dover, Nashua and Rochester.
With Franklin residents approving retail wagering at elections in October, six of the possible ten sportsbook locations may now have been filled.
“The New Hampshire Lottery appreciates and respects the voting process in New Hampshire,” New Hampshire Lottery executive director Charlie McIntyre said.
“With five cities voting to allow sports book retail locations, we can continue with the sports betting implementation process, developing a responsible system that engages players and drives revenue for education in New Hampshire.”
The lottery’s tender process to select licensees for retail, mobile and lottery sports betting saw a joint bid from DraftKings and Crown Gaming selected for the first two channels, with Intralot backed for the third. The lottery expects to finalize contracts with each by the end of November.
However, with 10 physical sportsbooks permitted and up to five mobile operators, it remains to be seen whether other operators will be allowed into the market.
The Lottery revealed that it expects to have mobile betting available by January next year, with retail wagering coming by spring at the latest.