New Hampshire Will Add Retail Sports Book Locations In Spring
Jessica Moran
The Super Bowl is expected to bring in big money for New Hampshire. Lottery officials said online sports betting has exceeded expectations and profits are expected to grow with the addition of retail locations.
Since online sports betting started, more than 29,000 users registered in the state, wagering more than $17 million. Now, there’s a chance for local businesses to get in on the action.
“I would anticipate north of $3 million by the Super Bowl,” said Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery. “I just know a lot of folks are making plans to drive north.”
In the last four weeks, online sports betting has profited $1.2 million.
Next up for the lottery are locations for Granite Staters to walk in and place bets. Six cities have approved physical sports books, and the lottery hopes to have them up and running by the NCAA basketball tournament in March.
“Going to a sports book physical is very different than doing it on your phone. It’s very communal, kind of. It’s just an entertainment option,” McIntyre said.
Management at Billy’s Sportsbar said customers have asked about the physical locations and if the sports bar is selected, they think it will help business.
“The foot traffic, more people coming in here, checking out our food, stuff like that. It definitely would help us a lot,” said James Diamond, manager of Billy’s Sportsbar.
The New Hampshire Lottery said it will phase the locations in slowly, one at a time, and try to pick locations that will generate the most revenue.
That revenue will go toward funding education in the state.
