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Should the NH Lottery offer online games?

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The New Hampshire Lottery Commission is exploring the possibility of instituting online gaming.

The state does not currently offer online games, but began selling Powerball tickets through a smart phone app last month.

A handful of states, including Georgia and Kentucky, offer online lottery games. There is currently no legislative proposal to institute online gaming in New Hampshire.

Supporters argue that online lottery games would appeal to a younger, more digitally-savvy generation, therefore helping to maximize revenue and keep the lottery at the cutting edge of consumer trends. They also express concern that New Hampshire will lose revenue if Massachusetts moves ahead with online lottery gaming first; a bill to that effect passed the Massachusetts Senate last week.

Opponents include retailers concerned that online gaming will reduce paper ticket sales, which are an important source of revenue for many small businesses. Others maintain that making gambling easier will only increase related social problems such as addiction, poverty, domestic violence and homelessness.

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