New Hampshire Introduces Mobile Sports Betting Official Through DraftKing

On a typical New Hampshire afternoon in winter, Governor Chris Sununu, wearing a navy blue "ski NH" jacket and a big smile, pulled out his iPhone in front of a large crowd at Shoppers Pub + Eatery in Manchester, accomplishing what many thought would have been virtually impossible just 19 months ago.

He has already downloaded the DraftKings Sportsbook mobile app and deposited the money. And, despite the New England Patriots' unsightly loss the day before, the governor put tremendous enthusiasm into the first sports bet that a local NFL team placed on Granite State to win a Super Bowl. 온라인카지노

When he announced to the Pats that he would drop $20 by a 12-1 chance, Sununu quickly made money.

"Come on," shouted someone from the back of the tavern. "It's for the kids."

The comment, which referred to the fact that New Hampshire receives 50% of its sports betting revenue from education, drew a big laugh from everyone, including the governor.

Sununu made the announcement with a quick tap on the delete button, paid $82, and explained that he was the 82nd governor. If Tom Brady and Company could win another Super Bowl, the governor would raise $982.

Standing nearby watching history made with a wider smile was DraftKings co-founder Matt Kalish, who was thrilled to see it become a reality more than a month earlier than expected, as well as what it meant to the company. Kalish was also particularly pleased to plant the DraftKings flag on Live Free or Die State, as he hails from the NH's Merrimack, about 12 miles south of where he stood on Monday afternoon.

"We wanted this deal really bad," he said, acknowledging Casino City. "It's not just because I'm from here, and I'm headquartered in Boston. But unlike many of our biggest competitors, we made our product in the United States, and we take a lot of pride in it. We think we made an amazing product for an American fan, so we definitely want to win in our backyard."

Since May 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court abolished a federal law that essentially restricts sports betting to one state over the past 25 years, many states have struggled to introduce legal and regulated sports betting products. So far, 14 states have succeeded, but others, especially near Massachusetts, have not.

New Hampshire has not only been able to execute it in time for the frenzy of March, the biggest two events of the NFL playoffs and sports betting calendar, but it has also executed it in a relatively fast manner.

In July 2019, Governor Sununu signed the bill, which would also be allowed through 10 sports libraries, and the contract for DraftKings and the New Hampshire Lottery was approved by the Executive Board at the end of November.

"It doesn't happen very easily in the New Hampshire legislature, but it doesn't happen for the right reasons," Sununu said. "You never want to do something too rash, but this is people understanding it, thinking carefully, and making decisions to get it done.

"We were going to set a gold standard for these types of betting products across New England. People would say, 'How did those people do so quickly and well?' We'll take advantage until all the other states are on board."

Kalish added, "Politics can be tricky. But there was a commitment here in general, from governors to legislators to lotteries. Everyone felt the same way. They knew what they wanted and when they wanted it. And they created a really good atmosphere to put it into practice."

The DraftKings app only works within the state. The bettors must be 18 or older (the minimum age for many other states is 21), and they can bet in professional and college sports, but not in a New Hampshire college team or at a college event in the state.

Sports betting is reportedly expected to produce $7.5 million for education in fiscal 2021 and $13.5 million in 2023.

DraftKings Sportsbook also offers mobile and retail bets in Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Before he finished, Sununu wore a marketing cap and encouraged people to start betting across borders.

"All you have to do is cross the border 100 feet and this app works," he said as he lifted his iPhone high in the air. "This is an amazing opportunity. When you cross the border, you can get alcohol for a lot cheaper than Massachusetts, and you can make sports bets."