Vermont Sports Betting Legislation Takes Major Step Forward in State Senate

Sports betting in Vermont just got one step closer to becoming fully regulated and could be live in the state as early as 2024.

Back in March, the Vermont state House of Representatives passed the first piece of legislation to bring legalized sports betting to the state. This first step allowed the bill to move through the House, and to the state Senate, though not without a few amendments first. Aimed at addressing the anticipated rise in problem gambling should sports betting become regulated in Vermont, these alterations managed to mitigate any opposition the bill faced and it passed with heavy favor.

On Wednesday, the state Senate followed suit and also approved the bill. It will require a third reading, again in front of the Senate, but then all signs point to Vermont Governor Phil Scott officially signing the bill into law once it reaches his desk.

RELATED: Which States Wil Legalize Sports Betting Next?

Last week, we took a status check of every state that has yet to legalize sports betting. At that time, Vermont was one of six states that had legislation in progress but yet to be approved. This latest update marks a big step in that process, and if all goes as hoped, you’ll have to go as far south as South Carolina to find a state without betting legislation; every New England state will have adopted some form of regulated sports betting.

Vermont Planning 2024 Launch

Reports are that a third reading of the bill is possible as soon as Thursday, May 4. If all goes according to plan, the bill will pass and make its way to Governor Scott. If that happens, Vermont can begin reviewing and accepting applications from sportsbooks in the state.

An official signing this month would put Vermont on track to get sportsbooks operational by January 2024, one year after the bill was initially proposed. This would be huge for the state as it would allow them to capitalize on the end of the College Football season, as well as the NFL Playoffs and of course, the Super Bowl.

MORE: 3 Things to Know Before Betting on Sports

The path to licensing for sportsbook operators is expected to be through a bidding process. With at most six spots available, expect some notable names like DraftKings, BetMGM and FanDuel to make their way into the mix.

Some notable details of the bill include:

• The state will be required to issue at least two licenses but no more than six
• College sports will be available for wagering EXCEPT when involving an in-state team

If you live in Vermont, you’ll want to take advantage of every promotional offer possible when the books go live. There’s no better way to get started on betting than with some house money, so make sure you check out our Best Sportsbooks page for details on how you can capitalize on those offers like these:

• DraftKings: New users get $150 in bonus bets after placing a $5 wager     ➡️ Join Here ⬅️
• BetMGM: New users get up to $1,000 back on their first bet if it loses      ➡️ Join Here ⬅️
• FanDuel: New users get $150 in bonus bets after their first $5 wager        ➡️ Join Here ⬅️

Don’t forget most books also offer referral bonuses! Every new friend you get to sign up often comes with some extra cash for you!

By the start of 2025, there could be just ten states left without regulated online sports betting. It’s a great time to be alive and a sports fan.

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