Legal Betting in Vermont

Introduction

Sports betting has emerged as a popular form of entertainment and commerce throughout the United States, with states crafting their own regulatory structures. Sports betting was made legal in Vermont in June 2023, and as of 2025, it is one of the 37 other states in which this type of gambling has been made legal. This piece will detail if and when sports betting will be allowed in Vermont, players in the market, bet types available, applicable laws and regulations, and the larger betting environment in the state, such as how people bet in general and what impact sports betting could have on the state.

Vermont Sports Wagering Law

The Vermont House Bill, H.127, was signed by governor Phil Scott on the 14th June 2023 and sports betting was made legal in Vermont. The law permits only online sports wagering while barring wagering at physical facilities. The Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery oversees the market, in compliance with state laws. Bettors must be at least 21 and physically present in Vermont, confirmed through geolocation software. “Professional gambling” in the form of, for example, managing a casino is still illegal, and the state is opting for a cautious approach that builds on that framework while also fulfilling the demand for sports betting.

Top Vermont Betting Companies

Vermont online sports bettingThree online sportsbooks are now live in Vermont: DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics Sportsbook, which went live on January 11, 2024. Handpicked by the Department of Liquor and Lottery, these operators provide full-service sportsbook apps with comprehensive betting markets. There are established leaders like DraftKings and FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook takes advantage of its sports merchandise brand. In Texas, there will be up to six operators allowed, however I am only aware of three currently live which provides a competitive and stable market.

No Shops for Offline Betting

Vermont’s online-only approach cuts out retail betting sites, a product of the state’s lack of gambling infrastructure — like casinos — and a policy to reduce gambling’s real-world footprint. Residents who want to place their bets in person must travel to bordering states, such as New York or New Hampshire. This system improves oversight between regulators and digital channels to mitigate concerns of the unregulated nature of a physical venue.

Types of Bets Available

Vermont’s sportsbooks offer various bet types, including:

• Moneyline Bets: Wagering on the outright winner of an event.
• Point Spread Bets: Betting on the margin of victory.
• Over/Under Bets: Predicting total points scored relative to a set number.
• Prop Bets: Wagering on specific game occurrences, such as player performance.
• Parlay Bets: Combining multiple bets for higher payouts.
• Live Betting: Placing bets during an event.

Parimutuel betting, legalized in 1959, is available primarily for horse racing, though it is less prevalent than sports wagering.

Key Information About Vermont’s Betting Sphere

• Licensed Operators: DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics Sportsbook
• Minimum Betting Age: 21
• Tax Rate on Sportsbook Revenue: 31–33%
• Geolocation Requirement: Bets must be placed within Vermont
• Prohibited Bets: Wagering on high school sports and in-state college teams

Aspect	Details
Regulatory Body	Department of Liquor and Lottery
Launch Date	January 11, 2024
Number of Operators	3 (up to 6 allowed)
Annual License Fee	$550,000 per operator
Responsible Gambling	State-mandated self-exclusion programs

History & Culture of Gambling in Vermont

Sports betting in Vermont is in line with the state’s community-oriented principles, prioritizing slow growth over mass gambling. The online-only approach limits the visibility of gambling in a state with a strong rural identity. Public acceptance of legalized betting is counterbalanced by the fear of addiction, resulting in strong measures for responsible gambling, like programs funded by operators and public awareness campaigns.

Economic effects and therefore distribution of revenues

How it works Sports betting generates revenue through a 31–33% tax on operators’ adjusted gross revenue, which will fund state programs. In its debut year, Vermont generated $198.7 million in wagers and handed $21.9 million in operator revenue. The lack of job creation in the online-only model doesn’t invite that kind of showboating, but its increased ease of tax collection serves as an instrument of fiscal sanity.

Efforts to Promote Responsible Gambling

Vermont requires operator resources such as deposit thresholds, time-out periods, and self-exclusion facilities in order to foster responsible gambling. Liquor and Lottery Department collaborates with non-profits to assist in education and support to reduce risk of addiction. These are actions that ensures that sports betting remains a controlled form of entertainment.

Conclusion

Vermont’s online sports betting legislation is a very well-thought-out bill the measure is sandwiched in with revenues and a top-notch oversight plan. DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics Sportsbook drive a competitive market with a wide variety of bet types, underpinned by responsible gambling.