Five of nine cities voted to allow sports betting locations during municipal elections Tuesday.
The cities of Claremont, Berlin, Laconia, Manchester and Somersworth voted to permit the operation of “sports book retail locations,” according to the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.
Sports betting was defeated in Concord, Dover, Nashua, and Rochester. However, Dover and Rochester did vote to allow another lottery game, Keno 603, in their cities.
“With five cities voting to allow sports book retail locations, we can continue with the sports betting implementation process, developing a responsible system that engages players and drives revenue for education in New Hampshire,” said Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery.
Gov. Chris Sununu signed legislation in July authorizing the New Hampshire Lottery to conduct sports betting, which will be allowed through as many as 10 physical locations and online as long as the person betting is in New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire Lottery said it expects to have online sports betting available by January, with physical locations up and running by late winter or early spring.
Franklin voters were first to approve sports betting during city elections Oct. 1. Towns will be able to place the question on their Town Meeting warrants in March.
The sports betting legislation prohibits any wagering on New Hampshire college teams or on any college games taking place in the Granite State. Players must be 18 or older to make wagers.
Concord voters rejected the question by a 3-2 margin, with 2,877 voting no, and 1,914 voting yes, according to city election results.