New Hampshire may eliminate $50 max bet at casinos
Published:
Jun 5, 2025
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10:03 a.m.
ET
Key Points:
Lawmakers are pushing to eliminate New Hampshire’s $50 maximum bet limit on table games like poker and blackjack.
Supporters argue it will help casinos attract high-stakes players and compete with neighboring Massachusetts.
Critics warn that lifting the cap could increase gambling addiction in the state.
The change is part of a broader state movement to expand gambling access, including potential legalization of slot machines.
New Hampshire’s charitable gaming model has exploded in growth
The state’s unique approach means casinos must share revenue with charities and the Education Trust Fund.
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In a state that’s rapidly evolving into an expansive gambling hub, a new proposal could significantly reshape the risks for New Hampshire gamblers. State lawmakers are advancing legislation to remove the $50 maximum wager limit on table games at New Hampshire casinos.
Senator Tim Lang introduced the amendment as part of the broader state budget proposal, arguing that this wager cap is pushing away high-stakes gamblers.
“If I’m a high-stakes player, I’m going to go to Massachusetts,” Lang said. “We’re trying to encourage and be competitive with our border states.”
The 2006 law allowing for-profit companies to operate charitable gaming facilities, and a series of subsequent expansions, set the stage for today’s industry boom in NH.
2019: Sports betting legalized
2021: Historic horse racing machines introduced
2023: Bet limit raised from $10 to $50
2025: Potential elimination of $50 bet cap + potential legalization of video slots
New Hampshire now has 14 active casino licenses, and industry leaders expect to hit the cap of 18 licenses by 2028. There are estimates the market could generate more than $1.1 billion annually once fully mature.
Charities and state programs have been direct beneficiaries, but so have out-of-state investors. While many casinos are licensed through New Hampshire corporations, the majority of ownership stakes lie with companies based elsewhere.
The potential elimination of the $50 wager cap signals that New Hampshire could become a full-scale player in the Northeast gaming market.
This possible change brings risk however. Gambling addiction is a serious, often hidden issue. And as access expands and limits are removed, support systems must also be bolstered.
Concerns about lifting the wager cap
This push toward more liberal gambling rules has sparked concern. Senator Cindy Rosenwald voiced a common worry: that removing bet limits may exacerbate gambling addiction, which is an issue that has become more and more prevalent every month since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was overturned in May of 2018, leaving sports betting legalization decisions up to individual states.
“While I get that there are a lot of ways for people to ruin their lives and probably we should let them, I’m not sure that we should help them along the way,” Rosenwald said.
Proponents of the limit removal argue that addiction is not tied to wager size, but critics maintain that larger bets could amplify the financial and emotional consequences for those already struggling.
If the cap is removed from state law, slot machines will also be allowed to enter casinos and other gaming halls. And with more avenues to gamble, especially in cheap fashion, New Hampshire casinos could draw a whole new base of customers, many of whom could quickly lose track of time and money spent.
History of $50 bet limit at NH casinos
Before 2023, New Hampshire capped wagers on table games like blackjack and poker at just $10. That year, state lawmakers raised the limit to $50 in an effort to increase revenue and remain competitive with neighboring states.
The increase was also designed to benefit nonprofit organizations. New Hampshire operates under a charitable gaming model, meaning that 35% of casino revenue is funneled directly to local nonprofits, with another 10% going to the state’s Education Trust Fund.
Now, less than two years later, that $50 cap may also disappear entirely. It’s a seemingly small change that represents a drastic shift in how the state approaches gambling access.
Understanding the competitive landscape for NH casinos
New Hampshire casinos have long felt the competitive pressure from Massachusetts, where casinos have no maximum bet limits. Despite that, casino parking lots in New Hampshire often feature a high number of Massachusetts license plates.
However, those visitors tend to be low- to mid-stakes players. High-rollers are still heading south, where larger bets are welcomed. Eliminating the cap could help New Hampshire retain more of that revenue and potentially attract new investment.
This is especially relevant given the growing presence of full-scale casinos in the Granite State. In early 2025, “The Nash” (now the state’s largest casino) opened in Nashua, and several other major venues launched or expanded across the state.
Gambling Addiction stats and treatment options in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has already been struggling to deal with gambling addiction in the state. According to the New Hampshire Gambling Addiction Hotline, more than 23,500 people in the state suffer from gambling problems. Furthermore, the hotline had a 50% increase in calls since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. They received 439 calls in 2024, more than doubling their 205 calls from 2021.
New Hampshire’s expansion from sports betting to KENO, digital lotteries and now potential video slots and unlimited wager sizes, could drive those numbers higher.
Senator Lang argues that wager size doesn’t create addiction. But research consistently shows that greater access, speed of play and the potential for large financial swings can intensify potential gambling-related harms.
Fortunately, treatment options are expanding alongside the industry. Organizations like Birches Health offer confidential, specialized support for those struggling with gambling-related compulsive behaviors. Birches has a nationwide team of specially trained counselors who conduct virtual treatment with hundreds of clients every week. Care with Birches is confidential, discreet and convenient. Plus, it can be covered by insurance thanks to partnerships with all major insurance companies across the country.
If you or someone you love is struggling with their gambling, there is now specialized help available, and you can access it today.
Here’s how to get started with Birches:
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
