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Senate committee advances slots bill after debate on addiction, rates and self-exclusion database
Summary
The Ways and Means Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 83, a measure to allow regular slot machines at charitable gaming facilities, adopting amendments to change the tax rate and maximum wager and including a statewide voluntary self-exclusion database in the bill text.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 83 with amendments that would allow regular slot machines at charitable gaming facilities, reduce the proposed tax rate from 40% to 35% and set a uniform maximum bet of $50.
The bill’s sponsor told the committee the change from historic horse racing (HHR) to regular slots would lower overhead and increase net revenues for charities, operators and education, provided the rate of play remains controlled. The bill also incorporates a statewide voluntary self-exclusion database for problem gamblers.
"By moving the slots, as long as we kept the same rate of play or speed of play, we don't — we're not increasing any ... responsible gaming, any addiction programs because we've already dealt with that by slowing the gameplay down," the sponsor said while describing conversations with the state lottery and a charitable gaming commission.
Opponents raised concerns about competition and addiction. Senator Murphy said he was "a hard no" on the bill, arguing a limit on licenses favors incumbent operators and conflicts with “free and fair competition.” He also warned that HHR had been used to acclimate the public to slot-style gaming.
Senator Rosenwald cited a 2023 observational study from Australia that, he said, found gambling problems were lower in areas with limited slot-machine availability and argued that slot machines increase addiction risk through lights, sounds and speed of play.
Supporters noted responsible-gaming measures in the draft. The bill creates a statewide voluntary exclusion list so a person who self-excludes at one facility would be barred across all participating gaming sites. The sponsor said funds previously set aside for responsible-gaming services have not been drawn down and that the commission recommended several consumer-protection measures.
During floor debate on the bill the sponsor proposed two substantive edits: lower the tax rate to 35% (from 40%) to be more competitive with neighboring states, and align maximum per-bet limits so a slot wager would match a table-game maximum of $50. The committee adopted both changes by voice vote and then voted to advance the bill on a voice vote; the transcript records the committee action as "ought to pass as amended." No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
Committee members also discussed revenue distribution to charities and education and observed that much of the operator revenue currently flows out of state. One member asked whether the bill would make already-wealthy operators "even wealthier," noting many operators are not based in New Hampshire.
The bill was advanced as amended; the transcript shows committee debate on addiction risk, market competition, tax rate, wager limits and the addition of a statewide self-exclusion mechanism.
