New Hampshire Sports Betting
Beginning as a promising destination for gambling enthusiasts, New Hampshire has ventured into the realm of online sports betting, a move that has delighted many and left them eager to discover what further developments the state has planned.
Historically known to have a population that is split down the middle for sports-based gambling, lawmakers jumped at the chance to legalize and regulate the sports betting industry when the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) from the 1990s was finally ruled as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in May 2018.
With the new law in place, players had a vast number of sports gambling options available in addition to the existing horse racing and greyhound racing. Since live races and tracks have closed down, there was a serious demand for more sports-related gambling in NH.Â
Top 3 Sportsbooks in New Hampshire
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in New Hampshire?
Currently, New Hampshire has a good variety of options available to players who prefer sports betting over other forms of gambling. Once the PASPA ruling was made final, many states held back on pushing forward a new law to legalize and regulate sports betting, but New Hampshire was surprisingly quick on the draw and passed a bill in June 2019.
Wasting no time to roll out with different land-based and online sportsbooks, most approved establishments were up and running by December 2019. There are now 10 land-based sportsbooks along with online and mobile betting options for even more convenience.
Is Daily Fantasy Sports the Same as Sports Betting?
Unlike plenty of other states in the US, New Hampshire has legalized both daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting. Although both sound like they are similar in nature, there are lots of people who feel daily fantasy sports is more of a game of skill, whereas sports betting is just pure chance.
The main difference between daily fantasy sports and sports betting is that DFS has players create their ideal team based on real players in the industry, regardless of which team they play on. This fantasy team is then in competition with other players’ fantasy teams to see who gains the most points in the end.
As for traditional sports betting, players make a wager on several different factors for real games and players in the industry. Players have to make an informed wager based on real news, stats, and information given by the sportsbook.
Despite what most people think in terms of how similar or different DFS and sports betting are, both are legal and easily accessed by players in the state.Â
How to Find a Good Online Sports Betting Site
Anyone who has searched online will know how many results pop up, which makes it pretty tough to know which sites are the best for sports betting and gambling entertainment. To get the best shot at finding the best online sports betting site (whether it is local or offshore), there are a few factors to consider before going through the site registration process.
Look for Country Restrictions
All of the local New Hampshire sportsbooks cater to players from within the state, but players who are looking at offshore online sports betting sites, it pays to look for country restrictions that a site may have. Most offshore sites will accept players from the US, though there are a few that do not.
Sites will often post information about accepting players from the US on the main page of the site, but sometimes they do not. The best way to find out is by checking out the help pages or contacting customer support for more information.
Check Out the Available Sports Options
It would be great to have all sportsbooks offer huge sports collections for wagers, but that just is not the case. Some sites prefer to focus on the top 5 sports like pro football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and hockey. For players who are looking for more variety and like a challenge from lesser-known sports, offshore online sports betting sites are normally the best option for large sports selections.
Common sports in addition to the top five are cricket, rugby, boxing, tennis, automobile races, mixed martial arts, golf, cycling, and esports.
Search for Trusted Banking Possibilities
Online sportsbooks are like land-based establishments that accept real money bets, the difference with the online version is that all deposits and payouts are made electronically. To make sure all transfers are done securely, players should take a look at the banking options the site accepts.
In general, sites will have a few options for players from the US, and all from trusted sources like major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX), prepaid cards, personal wire transfers, and cryptocurrency (Bitcoin).
Take a Look at the Promotions Page
A big benefit of online offshore sports betting sites is the special promotions that site members are given. Most site bonus offers are regularly added to the promotions page which is accessed from the main site page.
Common promos are deposit match bonuses, no deposit bonus, cashback offers, and occasional tournament prizes. Once players become registered members, they will often receive a special bonus to get them started on the right foot. Afterward, players should always make it a habit to check out the promotions page after logging in to see if there is anything new available on the site.
Read the Terms and Conditions
As with anything, it is important to carefully read the terms and conditions of the site. This will help players fully understand what is expected of them as a site member, but also give them the best experience on the site.
Promotions will also have a set of terms and conditions that should be thoroughly read. This will ensure the bonus offer will be valid and give players the best chance at using the bonus to its fullest capacity.
Ask About Security Features and Help Options
Before registering to a site and making that first money transfer, it helps to check out the site security. Most sites will list names of third-party security programs that the site uses, show SSL encryption, and have several other layers of protection in place.
Naturally, sports betting sites will not clearly explain all of the security protocols in place, but players are free to inquire until they are satisfied. Many sites will list security features in the footer of the main page and others will go into some detail in the help pages.
If for any reason the site does not immediately show security program names or features, players can also contact customer support or more information. Essentially, if a site does not seem legit and there is little information given to potential members, players should consider looking for a different sports betting site that will keep them informed and safe.
FAQ
Before diving in with a bet or two, new players should become familiar with the basic bets for the best chance to win. These bets are moneyline, point spread, over-under, parlay, and teasers and pleasers.
Moneyline – Players bet on the team or person that will win the game, series, or tournament.
Point spread – Players select the winning or losing team within a range of points that are set by the sportsbook.
Over-under – Players choose whether the final score of a team or game will be higher or lower than the sportsbook’s prediction.
Parlay – Players select two or more wagers within one bet. Bets can be anything between two and ten selections. In order to win, all selections must be correct.
Teasers and Pleasers – A version of a parlay bet, teasers and pleasers need more than one selection within one bet. The payouts are generally lower than parlay, but there is also a better chance of winning.
In New Hampshire, players have to be at least 18 years old to participate in sports betting. Both land-based and online sportsbooks will ask players to prove they are of legal age before any wagers can be made.
Online sports betting sites will also ask players to register to the site with valid photo id and proof of residency to make sure every player has a safe and validated account.
Most online sports betting sites will offer a range of the most popular sports (nationally and internationally). While local sportsbooks will have all of the favorites in the US, offshore online sports betting sites will have other options on top of the favorites, some of which are a great challenge for players who are looking for extra fun.
Top Sports at Online Sportsbooks
- Football
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Volleyball
- Tennis
- Golf
- Boxing
- Cycling
- MMA and UFC
- eSports
Before signing up to an online sportsbook, players should check out the sports options available. Some sites will have a huge selection, while others might focus more on a select few.
