CONCORD, NH – A new survey conducted by the University of New Hampshire reveals that Granite Staters remain skeptical about the rapid expansion of casino gambling in New Hampshire, reinforcing concerns about the negative social and economic consequences of expanded gaming.
Most notably, a staggering 86% of New Hampshire residents want the ability to decide if a casino should be able to open in their community. Currently, New Hampshire cities and towns have no right to decide if a casino is appropriate, wanted or fits in their community.
This lack of local consultation and control can lead to the siting of casinos in residential neighborhoods, in already congested areas or in communities where they will permanently and irretrievably alter the character of the community. Today, residents have no say in deciding if, when or where a casino opens.
Other survey highlights include:
- 46% (58% of those over 65) want limits on the number of casinos able to open across the state.
- 62% believe there should be a limit on how many casino licenses one owner can control. Residents on the Seacoast (77%) and those 65 and older (76%) believe this even more strongly.
- 84% of New Hampshire residents have never visited one of the state’s casino gaming facilities.
- 74% of New Hampshire residents support requiring casinos to fund programs for addiction and problem gaming. 50% support this strongly.
The state is sharply divided on allowing casinos to convert existing historical horse racing machines to slot machines which allow for faster play and greater potential for problem gaming and addiction with 36% unsure, 33% favoring, and 17% opposed.
This survey is just one more data point reflecting ongoing concerns about gambling addiction, crime, and economic instability in local communities. Our state is experiencing unprecedented growth in the number, size and scope of casinos operating here. The current regulatory framework and infrastructure set up to oversee and regulate this new industry never contemplated this level of growth and expansion. New Hampshire residents are calling for greater control and demanding a say in whether or not a casino can open in their community.
Granite Staters for Responsible Gaming encourages New Hampshire residents to pay attention to their representatives’ views on casino gambling and encourage their focus on policies that foster responsible economic development without resorting to its expansion. The organization remains committed to educating the public and policymakers on the true costs of casino expansion and advocating for a healthier, more prosperous future for New Hampshire.
The University of New Hampshire Survey Center included six questions on its March 2025 Granite State Pol for the GSRG to understand New Hampshire residents’ opinions and experiences with charitable casinos in the state. One thousand, three hundred and seventy-two (1,372) Granite State Panel members completed the survey. In addition, 62 New Hampshire residents completed the survey aer receiving an invitation via text message to complete the survey online. Overall, 1,434 New Hampshire residents completed the survey online between March 20 and March 24, 2025. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2.6 percent.