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Bill

HB 728

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

2026 Regular Session

HB 728 would authorize video lottery terminals at charity gaming venues, require licensing and oversight, and repeal historic horse racing licensing.

Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 80
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Bill Summary · HB 728

Summary of HB 728 (2026) – New Hampshire

Purpose and intent

HB 728 seeks to authorize video lottery terminals (VLTs) at charity gaming facilities in New Hampshire and to repeal the state’s licensing framework for historic horse racing (HHR). The bill appears to shift certain forms of charitable gaming into casino-style gaming activity and to remove or restructure regulatory provisions tied to HHR facilities.

Key provisions and changes

  • Authorization of video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities
    • Establishes or expands statutory authority for VLTs to operate at nonprofit charity gaming venues.
    • Likely sets parameters around where VLTs may be placed, who may own or operate them, and the regulatory oversight required (prize structure, payout percentage, time limits, and reporting).
    • Could specify permissible game types offered via VLTs (electronic lottery-style games) and related consumer protections.
  • Regulation and licensing framework
    • Creates or modifies licensing regimes for entities operating VLTs at charity sites, including application requirements, fees, background checks, and ongoing compliance.
    • Specifies enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violations (e.g., noncompliance with funding distribution, underage access, or game integrity).
  • Repeal of historic horse racing licensing
    • Repeals or significantly curtails the state’s licensing regime for historic horse racing facilities or activities.
    • Implications may include phasing out HHR licenses, redistributing responsibilities to other gaming regulators, or converting HHR facilities to operate under the VLT charity gaming framework.
  • Funding and distribution
    • May address how revenues from VLTs are allocated, including allocations to charitable causes, state general fund, or specific programs.
    • Could include requirements for annual reporting on charitable distributions and contributions to permissible beneficiaries.
  • Consumer protections and integrity
    • Provisions to ensure fair play, responsible gaming measures, age verification, winnings payout timelines, and audit rights for regulators.
    • Security standards for electronic gaming devices, records retention, and data privacy obligations.

Who would be affected

  • Charity gaming facilities and their operators: Entities hosting or operating VLTs would face new licensing, compliance, and reporting requirements.
  • Players and the public: Consumers at charity venues who use VLTs would be governed by new age, eligibility, and payout protections, with potential implications for where and how they can gamble.
  • Historic horse racing licensees and regulators: The HHR licensing framework would be repealed or substantially restructured, affecting licensees, facility operators, and the regulatory agencies overseeing HHR.
  • State and local governments: Potential changes to revenues, funding streams, and regulatory workload for gaming authorities.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The bill would outline effective dates for the VLT authorization, licensing implementation, and any transitional provisions for existing charity gaming facilities.
  • It may include sunset or renewal provisions for the new VLT program, as well as reporting milestones to assess program performance and revenue distribution.
  • If the HHR repeal is partial, the bill would specify transition timelines for licenses, facilities, and regulatory oversight changes.

Potential implications and considerations

  • Revenue implications for charities and state programs, depending on whether VLT proceeds are earmarked for specific causes or general funds.
  • Impacts on the charitable gaming landscape, including competition among facilities and potential avoidance of municipal or county regulatory constraints.
  • Public policy considerations regarding gambling expansion, consumer protection, and the integrity of gaming operations.
  • Transition challenges for facilities currently operating under HHR licenses and how assets, technology, and personnel would be repurposed.

Note: This summary is based on the bill’s title and general description. For precise language, sections, fiscal notes, and specific dates, please refer to the official bill text and accompanying fiscal impact statements from the New Hampshire General Court.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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