New Hampshire Wins Wire Act Lawsuit

Concord, NH - Today, the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire issued a ruling setting aside the United States Department of Justice's 2018 opinion regarding the Wire Act. The 2018 Opinion had found that the Wire Act applied to all forms of online gambling, including lottery sales over the internet. In its decision, the Court held that the Wire Act applies only to transmissions related to bets or wagers on a sporting event or contest. This ruling will save the State millions of dollars in public education funding.

"Today's ruling is a historic victory for the State of New Hampshire and we are proud to have led this effort," said Governor Chris Sununu. "New Hampshire stood up, took action, and won – all to protect public education in our state. I would like to thank the Attorney General's Office and the Lottery Commission for their work on this critical case."

Background:

On February 15, 2019, Governor Chris Sununu, Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald, and New Hampshire Lottery Executive Director Charlie McIntyre announced that the New Hampshire Attorney General's office filed a complaint on behalf of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission with the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire challenging the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) opinion that the 1961 Wire Act applies to lottery sales over the Internet. More details can be found here.