Gambling history in the Granite State will be made on Monday. That’s the New Hampshire launch date for legal online sports betting.
Although the exact time that DraftKings will start taking bets on its online platforms on Dec. 30 is uncertain, it will be some time that day. When that time comes, New Hampshire residents and visitors will be able to get in on the action.
It’s important to note that only mobile sports betting will go live on Monday. There is no official date for when the state’s retail sportsbooks will open.
Details on the New Hampshire launch date for mobile betting
DraftKings will be the only legal option for bettors in New Hampshire to begin. Eventually, the state will license other operators, but there’s no timeline for when that will happen.
The entire process, from registration to collecting winnings, can be completed online. For those who already have DraftKings Sportsbook accounts used in other states, you won’t have to register again to use your account in the Granite State.
For new customers, DraftKings requires the following information:
- Legal name
- Physical address (you don’t have to be a New Hampshire resident)
- Social security number (for tax purposes)
- Date of birth
Two other requirements to keep in mind are that bettors must be at least 18 years of age and physically located within the borders of the Granite State. Even New Hampshire residents need to be inside state lines to place a bet.
DraftKings offers an array of options for deposits. Those include debit cards, bank transfers and PayPal, among others. Bettors can use the same methods to collect winnings. Starting deposits can be as little as $5, and bets can be as small as 10 cents.
Why it’s a great time to launch online sports betting
The mobile launch comes at a great time. It should allow DraftKings to get off to a hot start in New Hampshire.
The next few weeks will see several college football bowl games and the College Football Playoff. In addition, the New England Patriots are ready to make a run at defending their Super Bowl title.
The college basketball, NBA and NHL regular seasons are also in full swing. This affords plenty of opportunities for DraftKings to run promotions in the Granite State.
While most promotions are usually reserved for new customers, even those with DraftKings experience should be able to take part in some of the enticements. DraftKings has agreed to give the state 51% of its revenue, so it’s crucial for DraftKings to take a lot of action.
New Hampshire set up well for sports betting launch
Of all the states that have launched legal sports betting so far, New Hampshire will be the first to have online/mobile betting go live prior to brick-and-mortar sportsbooks opening. In Indiana, for example, it was the other way around.
New Hampshire is also unique because of its minimum age requirement (in all other states it’s 21) and single operator. Whether these are net advantages or disadvantages remains to be seen.
The launch should be successful because of DraftKings’ experience in the industry, the sports calendar and the popularity of online betting. On Dec. 30, the state will see just how well those factors coincide.
