New Hampshire lawmakers are pushing for an increase in the gambling age from 18 to 21. The proposed bill aims to align the state with the majority of other states that have already set the legal gambling age at 21.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Tim Lang, has received support from various legislators who believe that increasing the gambling age could help protect young adults from the potential harmful effects of gambling. They argue that individuals under the age of 21 are more susceptible to developing gambling problems and addiction, and raising the age limit could potentially mitigate these risks.
Currently, New Hampshire allows individuals as young as 18 to participate in charitable gambling activities, including poker and bingo. However, supporters of the bill argue that young adults are not mature enough to make informed decisions about gambling and are more likely to suffer negative consequences.
If the bill is passed, New Hampshire would join the majority of states that have already enacted laws to raise the gambling age to 21. This includes neighboring states such as Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine.
Opponents of the bill argue that raising the gambling age would simply shift the problem to other age groups, as individuals under 21 may still find ways to participate in gambling activities. They also believe that the bill could have negative consequences for charitable organizations that rely on revenue from gambling activities.
The proposed legislation is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen how it will be received by the House and Senate. However, proponents of the bill are hopeful that increasing the gambling age to 21 will ultimately benefit young adults in New Hampshire.
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