[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6643637,"mediaKeyId","2531938-d98d5ccdbf3c92169bf013bae624c15f","parentId",2531938,"title","Ways and Means Debates VLT Tax Rates and Budget Impact as HB 2 Moves Forward","audioSeconds",4345,"startMs",8965000,"endMs",13310000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2531938-d98d5ccdbf3c92169bf013bae624c15f&start=8965&end=13310","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2531938-d98d5ccdbf3c92169bf013bae624c15f/thumbnail_8965000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6643637/New-Hampshire/Ways-and-Means-Debates-VLT-Tax-Rates-and-Budget-Impact-as-HB-2-Moves-Forward","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643637-20bea448e7659baf788540f10fc91e51/orig.mp4?Expires=1775144237&Signature=TiPIqrFnj1yPYA5~PF-GhQoH6MVRoU44XaJsSZ5exN4065qM1UCfrgOkpAAguPQe2IJf9pMBitXWIEJp5lbbEG08aBaW0kXAO703Tm1x2mX6xftNsYvKYGgCbBwJdWIttE3BJ0AI56CkGrIej2DRWYonPtp8RPQs2EqRWpietHs5lkcsILBpwssTCTsg0APtDL8YBZ2juVNfw0WR68u1GHYxIhvZ0OydCvYFTN39J1TOUH~1h581~xLI-jIhVXQ9K~YMMyfUEUMe53fMJPexzGBfT6KqETNIRWxEfLvXR2jWLs0DdX1Yz0I0K~XQNzRzwe~aQFzGY-yl74Wwug9ITw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-03-10T20:42:13.117Z","article","The House Ways and Means Committee met May 20 for a work session on HB 2 and related gaming proposals. Members heard testimony and data from New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and State Senator Tim Lang (Senate Ways and Means chair) and reviewed DRA modeling of how the governor’s proposals would alter revenue flowing to the Education Trust Fund.

What the session covered
The session focused on three linked issues: (1) technical and market differences between historic horse‑racing terminals and video lottery terminals (VLTs), (2) proposals for how gross gaming revenue from VLTs would be split between operators and the state, and (3) how proposed changes to business tax law and tobacco distributions in HB 2 combine with gaming proposals to affect the Education Trust Fund.

Senate and Lottery perspectives
Senator Tim Lang, who chairs the Senate committee that reported a competing VLT bill, urged a middle ground on tax rates. He described a market‑sensitive approach that aims to keep New Hampshire competitive with nearby jurisdictions while giving operators enough revenue to reinvest in facilities and attract patrons.
\"Our tax rate we set was 35% on our tax rate,\" Lang said, explaining the Senate position and arguing that a tax rate materially lower than neighboring states helps operators reinvest in amenities that attract cross‑border customers. Lang suggested a compromise around the low‑to‑mid 30s percentage range if the House and Senate go to committee of conference.

Lottery director’s updated revenue estimates
Charlie McIntyre told the committee the Lottery will update the fiscal note to reflect recent openings and rising per‑machine revenue. The director said earlier per‑machine estimates used in previous fiscal notes (about $150 per machine per day) are now \"wildly low,\" and that the state is seeing an average nearer $287 per machine per day when outlier facilities are excluded. \"If you're over $250 a machine, you add,\" he said, describing the industry rule of thumb that typically prompts operators to add machines or expand floor space as per‑machine revenue rises.

DRA analysis: education fund exposure
Committee members reviewed a DRA spreadsheet that modeled how the suite of changes in HB 2 — including cuts to certain business tax distributions and the proposed allocations for gaming revenue — would affect the Education Trust Fund (ETF). The DRA model in committee materials showed, under the governor’s proposed layout and the state revenue baseline used by DRA, a net reduction in ETF receipts of roughly $95 million across the affected streams (BPT, BET and tobacco distributions). DRA staff advised that the size of that shift depends on the revenue baseline used; using the committee’s revenue estimates produces a somewhat smaller net shift (roughly $75–80 million in their sensitivity runs).

Committee discussion and next steps
Members debated whether Ways and Means should recommend a specific tax rate for VLTs in HB 2, with some members urging retention of the governor’s figure pending finance‑side decisions and others urging a lower rate to keep the state competitive and to leave operators capacity to reinvest. Senator Lang recommended 32–35% as a practical compromise; other members advocated leaving the final tax decision for conference negotiations with the Senate. The Lottery director agreed to produce an updated fiscal note with revised revenue estimates by the committee’s requested deadline.

Key clarifying figures discussed
- Estimated saturation point: roughly 6,000 machines statewide (spectrum report figure); current installed base about 3,500 (director’s estimate).
- Recent per‑machine revenue (statewide, excluding some lower‑performing facilities): roughly $287 per machine per day, up from earlier estimates of about $150 per machine per day.
- DRA sensitivity: under baseline used by DRA, combined changes in HB 2 would reduce ETF receipts by about $94.9 million; using the committee’s adopted revenue estimates produces a smaller shift (~$75–80 million).

Conclusion
Director McIntyre will provide an updated fiscal note reflecting recent facility openings and higher per‑machine revenues, and the committee will weigh whether to recommend a specific VLT tax rate or leave the matter for conference with the Senate. Members noted that separate bills (such as HB 728) that specify allocations for charitable gaming and VLTs will interact with HB 2 and should be reconciled during final negotiations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Ways and Means (03/10/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members, the Lottery director and Senate Ways and Means chair reviewed proposed tax splits for video lottery terminals, recent revenue figures from new facilities, and DRA modeling that shows net losses to the Education Trust Fund under HB 2's distribution proposals.","taxTitle","Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17769,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6643642,"Committee Adopts Amendment Extending Towns' Time Limits for Licensed Gaming Projects",1979,5431000,7410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2531938-d98d5ccdbf3c92169bf013bae624c15f&start=5431&end=7410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2531938-d98d5ccdbf3c92169bf013bae624c15f/thumbnail_5431000.jpg","/articles/6643642/New-Hampshire/Committee-Adopts-Amendment-Extending-Towns-Time-Limits-for-Licensed-Gaming-Projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643642-1c8ce31bec3456d4e9c4d0ddeca343a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775144237&Signature=WgpC54rmZjBoOsNLt6O1fzRgWkiig2C1cBuCDzaeVKZLmATXyC2bBCndE7uBmU0BpwQb62EUQn8f9pUe3nKs7w4BzbR0nLfmD2x4QDSZKoyHNIw2xKje94hq1~dp9NYwuEN~FMRhdQdBduCVPqjoP3r3d1ueGEcXLAu7uiM49e7sk0twXUf3oC0zxWW~Z04MkPfOzF9Ty3wXUgE5l-7hWVp7dqpmtQ75P-EEsLMX08zcVU8QBsD1qcCl2mZuzhicmzs4bMf1tJH4QXHdLDNhSCGbunQ54gP~kcAVpApES39XAYDZlhbGd2JhBDuD0wcxEKHq87pCiZ0PGwCL~aHSwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Ways and Means Committee, in executive session on May 20, amended HB 737 to extend the statutory time windows that protect approved gaming projects from local re‑votes and then voted to recommend the bill as amended.

What the amendment changes
The adopted amendment (20250850H as carried on the committee floor) increases the allowable period before a municipality may reconsider whether to permit gaming. The amendment raises the length of time an operator must be inactive before a town may reverse approvals from two years to four years, and it reduces a proposed 10‑year protected application period (for approved but not yet operated projects) down to six years.

Why it matters: investment certainty and local control
Sponsors said the amendment aims to balance the municipality’s ability to control land use with multi‑year financing and permitting timelines that large projects often require. Supporters told the committee that large redevelopment and permitting projects can take several years of site work, financing and approvals and that a longer protected window prevents a town from changing course after an operator has invested substantial sums.

Vote and next steps
The committee adopted the amendment and then voted to recommend HB 737 as amended. The clerk recorded the committee’s roll call on the recommendation as 15‑0 in favor.

Formal action recorded
Motion: \"Ought to pass as amended\" (HB 737, as amended by Amendment 20250850H)
Mover: Representative Peter Eulary (motion made on the floor during the exec session)
Seconder: Representative Mary Murphy
Outcome: approved
Vote tally: yes 15 — no 0 (clerk roll call recorded the unanimous committee recommendation)

What the amendment leaves for later
Committee members discussed whether the draft statutory language needed additional clarification — for example, about when an application is considered active or the mechanics of “licensed or eligible” status — and several members said staff and the Legislative Counsel should review phrasing before the bill moves from committee. The committee recessed the exec session to allow staff time to prepare the final amended text for committee files.","In executive session the House Ways and Means Committee amended HB 737 to lengthen time windows before a town can reconsider permitting gaming facilities and voted 15‑0 to recommend the bill as amended.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6643647,"Committee Hears Bill to Replace Historic‐horse‑racing Machines with Video Lottery Terminals",2488,352000,2840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2531938-d98d5ccdbf3c92169bf013bae624c15f&start=352&end=2840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2531938-d98d5ccdbf3c92169bf013bae624c15f/thumbnail_352000.jpg","/articles/6643647/New-Hampshire/Committee-Hears-Bill-to-Replace-Historichorseracing-Machines-with-Video-Lottery-Terminals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643647-8cb553b75a9796a847b9180a585530bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775144237&Signature=Y4w52VgSej8AM9oNZTAvXWc58BwWGFkp7aAxK2Fk~RnDkUvHCr7D-DyP4MzL2zf1Dkx80hLPbva0egSlT~EaPZpIgOQgkpbXN8PcmPPQXz~ncrV10uAPHCMz7i1~MuylD5pUWkcgEODzqBcI1funvK8cbuBP-RZ760Jh9Xjf-GeDqfuu9p-xt6vZwBT2ZJgFacx3ugg~-5aKGOKX6~VuhO8ijYllExgVIIPtXvDYoMavrDh3ws1fk10vX4Nia~9~qC62EAujfGhrvJklk29SIbxanKtwBPGS7dY8Y2QSjnLUbtguemPDwDu2sOVgGEd~OCiqGLSkOwBjz-YFi6jj9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Ways and Means Committee opened a public hearing on HB 728 on May 20, a bill that would authorize video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities and repeal licensing for historic horse‑racing (HHR) machines.

Proponents and industry observers told the committee the change would shift how gross gaming revenue is divided, reduce certain operating costs for facilities and produce a steadier revenue stream for problem‑gambling services and education. Supporters also described a multi‑year phase‑in and urged the committee to consider allocations for charities and the state pension fund.

Why it matters: HB 728 would convert the machines that now rely on a distinct HHR architecture into true video lottery terminals (sometimes called slots), which supporters say are cheaper to operate and draw from a broader market of manufacturers. Committee witnesses said the swap would change the split of gross gaming revenue and therefore the sums available to charities, the Lottery (which funnels money to the Education Trust Fund) and other beneficiaries.

What proponents told the committee
Representative Jacob Ulm introduced HB 728, saying the bill would “authorize video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities and repealing historic horse racing licensing.” Former state representative Pat Abrami — who chaired New Hampshire’s charitable gaming study commission — told the committee the bill reflects recommendations from the Spectrum Gaming consultant that studied the industry. Abrami summarized the commission’s findings and his reading of the bill:
\"Using HHR machines instead of slot machines cost the facility 12.18 percent more because of totalizer and historic racing fees to the tracks,\" Abrami said, and he noted that HHR machines are supplied by far fewer manufacturers than standard slot machines, limiting competition.

Abrami gave a rundown of the projected distribution under the bill as written: the operator share would fall from 75% of gross gaming revenue to 70%; the state share would rise from 25% to 30%. He listed how that 30% would be allocated on the bill’s face: charities would increase from about 8.33% to 10.5% (an increase of about 2.17 percentage points), the Lottery (ultimately the Education Trust Fund) from 16.67% to 18% (about +1.33 points), and a new 1.425% allocation to Group B retirement. Abrami also said problem‑gaming funding currently depends on “breakage” from HHR machines and that moving to VLTs would create a steadier stream of funds for problem‑gaming efforts.

Alicia Preston, representing the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association, spoke in support: \"We think this is kind of a natural progression in the industry,\" she said, and backed a 30% state tax rate because, she added, operating costs for HHR machines are higher than for VLTs.

Charlie McIntyre, director of the Lottery, told the committee the fiscal note for the bill should be revised upward to reflect recent openings and higher per‑machine revenue. \"Based on our existing revenues, that is wildly low. Wildly low,\" McIntyre said of earlier revenue estimates, and he provided updated per‑machine figures: excluding two lower‑performing facilities, the state is seeing roughly $287 per machine per day on average and growing, he said — a figure that, in gaming practice, often triggers expansion by operators.

Questions and operational concerns
Committee members asked about contract length and whether operators could be locked into HHR equipment leases. Abrami said leases are typically not long‑term and that the bill’s phase‑in period should let facilities replace machines as leases expire. Members asked whether game content would be a hardware or software change; director McIntyre said conversion is primarily a content/software change with associated costs per machine.

Committee members also pressed witnesses on problem‑gaming funding and whether the bill provides enough support for services. Abrami said the commission had engaged a second consultant focused on problem gaming and recommended the legislature and a follow‑up commission continue work on a funding and services plan. McIntyre said he would update the fiscal note and provide estimates of how much additional money would go to problem‑gaming services under the bill.

Timing and phase‑out
Abrami read the bill’s effective‑date language and said his interpretation is the bill permits facilities to phase out HHR machines and phase in VLTs during a multi‑year transition; statutory text would take fuller effect on January 1, 2028. He recommended members and staff verify precise repeal and effective‑date lines.

What the committee heard against or as caution
Speakers also raised concerns about problem gaming and market concentration: Abrami’s commission had recommended addressing potential market concentration among HHR manufacturers and suggested the legislature consider remedies consistent with Article 83 of the New Hampshire Constitution on free and fair competition.

Next steps
The Lottery director offered to update the fiscal note quickly with revised revenue assumptions reflecting recent openings. Committee staff and members requested a revised fiscal note and more detail on the bill’s phase‑in schedule and contract implications before advancing policy recommendations.

Ending note: HB 728 was the subject of a full public hearing; no committee vote was taken at the May 20 hearing. The committee requested updated fiscal information and additional detail about effective dates and phase‑in mechanics before marking the bill for further action.","A public hearing on HB 728 drew testimony supporting a switch from historic horse‑racing terminals to video lottery terminals (VLTs), focusing on how the change would alter revenue splits for facilities, charities and the state and on funding for problem‑gambling services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ways and Means Debates VLT Tax Rates and Budget Impact as HB 2 Moves Forward

Committee Adopts Amendment Extending Towns' Time Limits for Licensed Gaming Projects

Committee Hears Bill to Replace Historic‐horse‑racing Machines with Video Lottery Terminals