Daily Fantasy Sports in New Hampshire
Unlike sports betting — locked to DraftKings under the state monopoly — daily fantasy in New Hampshire is a fully open, multi-operator market. HB 580 legalized paid-entry contests in 2017, and every major DFS site competes for NH players: DraftKings DFS, FanDuel, Sleeper, Underdog, and PrizePicks all operate legally.
The 5 Major DFS Sites in NH
Each operator runs a slightly different format. Most serious DFS players keep accounts at multiple sites to chase the best contest and the softest pools.
DraftKings DFS
Since 2012The Boston-based originator. Salary-cap contests across NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, golf, soccer, MMA, NASCAR. Largest prize pools and the deepest tournament structure.
FanDuel DFS
Since 2009DraftKings’ main competitor. Salary-cap format with slightly different scoring and a strong NBA / NFL focus. Fully legal in NH under HB 580.
Sleeper
Since 2017Season-long fantasy leagues plus pick’em style contests. Strong UX for friend-group leagues. Player props pick’em is the fastest-growing format.
Underdog Fantasy
Since 2020Best Ball drafts and pick’em higher/lower contests. Best Ball has become the dominant NFL DFS format among serious players.
PrizePicks
Since 2015Pure pick’em — choose 2 to 6 player projections to go over or under. Simple format, fast contests. Operates in NH under DFS rules.
DFS Contest Formats
Salary-Cap
Build a lineup of real players from a single slate. Each player has a salary; the total cap (typically $50,000 on DraftKings) limits roster construction. Top scoring lineup wins.
Best Ball Drafts
Snake-draft a 20-player roster pre-season. Optimal lineup is set automatically each week. No in-season management — pure draft skill.
Pick’em / Over-Under
Select 2 to 6 player props (rushing yards, points, etc.) to go over or under a projected line. Win all picks to cash.
Season-Long
Traditional fantasy: draft a team in August, manage it weekly through the season. Sleeper, ESPN, Yahoo, NFL.com.
Why is DFS legal but sportsbook competition isn\u2019t?
Two different legal frameworks. HB 580 (2017) defined fantasy contests as games of skill and opened them to any licensed operator. HB 480 (2019) created a sports betting monopoly through a competitive bidding process — DraftKings won by offering a 51% revenue share. The two laws don\u2019t conflict because DFS is regulatory-classified separately from sports wagering.
Common Questions
Is daily fantasy sports legal in New Hampshire?
Yes. Governor Chris Sununu signed HB 580 into law in July 2017, formally legalizing and regulating paid-entry fantasy contests in New Hampshire. The bill defined fantasy sports as games of skill, not gambling, and established consumer protections.
How is DFS different from sports betting in NH?
Sports betting is restricted to a single operator (DraftKings Sportsbook) under the state’s exclusive monopoly. DFS is a separate product category — multiple operators (DraftKings DFS, FanDuel, Sleeper, Underdog, PrizePicks) all compete legally because HB 580 treats fantasy as a game of skill rather than a wager.
How old do I have to be to play DFS in NH?
You must be at least 18 to play paid-entry DFS contests in New Hampshire — the same minimum age as sports betting and horse race wagering.
Are pick’em contests still legal in NH?
Yes. PrizePicks, Underdog Pick’em, and similar over/under player-prop contests operate legally in NH. Some other states (e.g., Florida, Michigan) restricted pick’em formats — NH has not.
Do I need to be a NH resident?
No. You must be physically located in NH (or another state where the operator is licensed) when you enter a paid contest. Geolocation tools verify your location.
Are DFS winnings taxable?
Yes. Net DFS winnings are reportable income on your federal return. Operators issue 1099-MISC forms for net annual winnings of $600 or more. NH has no state income tax on wages, so most DFS players have no state tax liability on winnings.