creating local options for games of chance.

This bill allows towns and cities in New Hampshire to vote on whether to permit the operation of games of chance within their borders starting July 1, 2024. Under the new rules, municipalities must hold public hearings and place the question on a ballot for residents to decide if they want to allow casino-style gambling in their area. Existing licensed operators and those who applied for licenses between January 2023 and October 2023 are exempt from needing local approval, while new applicants must first get permission from their local government. Additionally, communities can later vote to ban these operations if a facility fails to open within seven years or stops operating for that duration, and unincorporated areas may make similar decisions through county delegations.