The majority of U.S. states operate an official state lottery that allows both residents and visitors to play games of chance for cash prizes. Lotteries are intended to raise state revenue without tax hikes and often have a stated cause in mind -- usually education or some public benefit. In reality, lottery revenue typically gets lumped together with the general fund.
A state lottery usually consists of games where the contestant chooses numbers for a jackpot drawing along with scratch-off tickets that offer the chance to instantly win cash or other prizes. While all contestants have an equal shot at winning, the odds of winning large jackpots are extremely thin. Prizes can range from free tickets to tens of millions of dollars.
New Hampshire State Lottery Law at a Glance
New Hampshire has the nation's oldest legal lottery, founded in 1964 after a large majority of the state's towns and cities voted in favor of its creation. The New Hampshire Lottery Commission claims on its Website that the lottery has contributed more than $1.6 billion to state public education initiatives since its founding.
The state requires a lottery winner's name, town of residence, and amount won to be made available to the public (although street address and phone number are not considered public information). Nearly two-thirds of lottery revenue goes toward prizes, with 26 percent going to New Hampshire schools.
The following chart provides additional details about state lottery laws in New Hampshire.
| Code Section | 287-F:1, et seq.: "Tri-State Lotto" with Maine and Vermont |
| Distribution of Lottery Revenue |
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| Additional Purpose of Lottery | To raise revenue for New Hampshire public schools |
| Lottery Prize Subject to Garnishment | Yes |
| Time Limit to Claim Prize/Disposition | 1 year/credited to prize pool |
| Prohibited Related Activities | Sale at greater price; sale to minor; unauthorized sale |
Note: State laws are always subject to change at any time through the enactment of new legislation or voter-approved ballot initiatives, or through other means. You should contact a New Hampshire gaming attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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New Hampshire State Lottery Laws: Related Resources
