Lottery Official Hails Nashua’s Approval Of Retail Sports Betting

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Lottery’s executive director is pleased that voters went to the polls in Nashua and approved a retail sports betting location.

Charlie McIntyre said Wednesday the decision made Nashua the 21st community to approve sportsbooks in the past two years. The spread between Yes and No was nearly 1,200 votes.

Along with Nashua, residents in Berlin, Claremont, Franklin, Laconia, Manchester, and Somersworth voted to permit sportsbook retail locations during city elections in fall 2019. The towns of Belmont, Candia, Derry, Hampton, Hinsdale, Hudson, Londonderry, Newmarket, Pelham, Pembroke, Rollinsford, Salem, Seabrook, and Windham approved sportsbook retail locations during town meetings in spring 2020.

“The New Hampshire Lottery is pleased to see this positive response in Nashua, where we would anticipate significant interest in a retail sportsbook,” he said. “Together with DraftKings, our sports betting partner, we are committed to performing our due diligence to determine the most optimal fits for retail sportsbooks throughout New Hampshire. As we continue to expand sports betting in New Hampshire, we are doing so with a sharp focus on driving maximum revenue to New Hampshire schools.”

Three locations have opened: DraftKings Sportsbook at the Brook in Seabrook and DraftKings Sportsbook at Filotimo, which has locations in Manchester and Dover. State law allows for 10 locations to be opened in New Hampshire.

According to McIntyre, more than $68 million was wagered in September, the largest month on record for sports betting. During the past two years, $730 million has been spent with more than 18 million wagers.

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