Sports betting is a step closer to being legal in New Hampshire.
The House voted Thursday to accept the Senate's minor changes to a bill that would legalize betting on professional sports and most Division I college sports, excluding games involving New Hampshire schools. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who supports it.
The Senate changed the bill's effective date so that the regulatory system could be in place early next year. Both mobile and retail gambling would be allowed, producing an estimated $7.5 million for education in fiscal year 2021, and $13.5 million two years later.
Supporters argue legalization will bring black market activity to the surface and provide support for problem gamblers through a new Council for Responsible Gambling. Opponents argue it continues the state's reliance on problematic revenue sources.
