FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
100% of communities that have voted using the new “Opt-Out” law have elected to stop casinos from locating in their community.
Concord, NH – March 24, 2026
The state passed a law in 2025 allowing cities and towns to hold a vote to “opt-out” of casinos in their community. These votes, held through city or town wide elections or at town meetings, are one of the only ways a community can have a say on the location of a casino in their community. Municipalities that “opt-out” prevent the issuance of gaming licenses in their community and restrict the New Hampshire Lottery Commission from approving a gaming facility in that community.
Eight communities have utilized this law to hold a vote thus far and every city and town has voted to prevent casinos in their communities by “opting-out,”
Communities voting to “opt-out” include the City of Portsmouth and the towns of Barrington, Bedford, Croydon, Hancock, Henniker, Littleton, and New London.
These votes overwhelming demonstrate opposition to casino expansion in New Hampshire and a strong desire for more municipal control over where casinos choose to locate. New Hampshire has very few controls and virtually no voice for municipalities and community members to control casino location or mitigate their many impacts on host communities.
More cities and towns are expected to vote in the coming year to restrict casinos in their communities.
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About Granite Staters for Responsible Gaming Granite Staters for Responsible Gaming is a registered 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization dedicated to overhauling charitable gaming regulations in New Hampshire. GSRG advocates for stronger oversight, local opt-out authority, and policies that protect families, businesses, and communities from the negative effects of casino-style gambling. For more information, visit www.gsrg.org.
Media Contact: Granite Staters for Responsible Gaming 20 Foundry Street, Floor 2 Concord, NH 03301 info@gsrg.org