New Hampshire lawmakers hear evidence on fantasy sports legalisation

A fantasy sports legalisation bill, HB580, introduced to the New Hampshire House earlier this year by Rep. Gary Azarian, was the subject of a Senate information hearing this week in which both DraftKings and FanDuel testified in favour.

The bill has already been approved by the House and advanced by an initial Senate committee.

Azarian told Senate lawmakers that his bill calls for oversight of fantasy sports by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, with a $5,000 registration fee for operators, who will also be required to pay an annual 5 percent levy based on GGR derived from New Hampshire activities, which will be credited against normal business taxes.

“This is New Hampshire’s opportunity, in my opinion, to participate in the early growth stages, to get in on the ground floor, and reap the new non-tax revenue potential in the future, in this sector,” said Azarian, who claims that 200,000 New Hampshire residents are fantasy sport players.

The proposal includes an 18 years age limit for participants and measures designed to ensure fair play and consumer protection.