Lottery director raises revenue guidance; conference committee OKs staff for video-lottery rollout

The Committee of Conference on HB 1 and HB 2 heard updated revenue guidance from Charlie McIntyre, director of the New Hampshire Lottery, who said the agency has raised its near‑term revenue outlook and plans additional staffing tied to the possible introduction of video lottery terminals (VLTs).

McIntyre told the committee, “We anticipate $200,000,000 of return to, each year of the biennium,” and cited stronger scratch‑ticket sales and sports betting performance as reasons for the revised guidance. He said the lottery has raised its current fiscal‑year outlook and the outlook for the next two years based on better than expected sales across products.

Why it matters: The lottery’s revenue forecast flows into the budget conference’s discussions about how much the state can appropriate for general and education purposes. The committee also addressed operational changes that would be necessary if VLTs are added to the market, including positions at the lottery commission and a dedicated funding stream for responsible‑gaming programs.

Most important facts

- Revenue guidance: McIntyre…