Feeling lucky? In New Hampshire, mobile sports betting is expected to start in January.
"Everyone will now be able to bet on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in time for this year’s Super Bowl.”
Sports betting can start as soon as January in New Hampshire after officials Monday signed off on a contract between the state lottery and the sports technology giant, DraftKings.
“We moved fast to get this done, and the deal is a win for New Hampshire,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in a statement after the state’s Executive Council voted to back the deal. “We are partnering with a world-class company to provide a first-rate customer service experience.
“With today’s vote, everyone will now be able to bet on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in time for this year’s Super Bowl,” he added.
State lawmakers paved the way for sports betting to come to the Granite State in July, passing legislation to allow the lottery to conduct betting through the Division of Sports Wagering.
The law, which requires players to be at least 18 years old to place a wager, bars any wagering on state college teams or any college games played in New Hampshire. It allows up to 10 physical sports book locations throughout the state and for wagers to be made through mobile betting.
Boston-based DraftKings was selected for the mobile contract through a bidding process “offering the New Hampshire Lottery the best financial package, the most highly rated mobile sports betting app, and the fastest implementation deadline,” according to a press release issued by the lottery.
The lottery, under the contract, stands to receive 50 percent of the betting sales revenue raked in, officials said. The money will go toward education funding.
“Today’s affirmative vote begins a partnership with DraftKings that will offer our players an exciting opportunity to participate in sports betting with a trusted partner,” Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery, said in a statement. “The introduction of sports betting will broaden the appeal of the New Hampshire Lottery and engage new and existing customers, while generating millions of dollars in additional revenue to support education.
“We are working directly with DraftKings to implement a sports betting system that both engages players, while also ensuring all appropriate safeguards are in place. The New Hampshire Lottery and DraftKings expect to launch mobile sports betting this January.”
According to officials, communities have the option to vote on whether they would allow a sports book location within their town or city.
“The cities of Berlin, Claremont, Franklin, Laconia, Manchester and Somersworth voted in favor of sports book locations during city elections earlier this fall,” the release said. “New Hampshire towns will be able to place the question on their Town Meeting warrants in spring 2020.”
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