Sports betting legalization may soon become a fact in the state of Vermont

Vermont Sports Betting Bill Laws & Regulations

Vermont Sports Betting Bill Clears House

By Lisa Spencer Senior Editor Updated: 08 April 2023

Lisa Spencer Senior Editor

As a Senior Editor at Betting.US, Lisa Spencer is a valuable member of our expert team. With a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, Lisa is adept in gambling theory and analyzing odds. She contributes by writing online sportsbook reviews and finding competitive markets to help our readers make an informed choice.

See Full Bio

There was some good news for sports betting fans in Vermont recently after it was confirmed that a bill designed to legalize sports betting had cleared the House of Representatives. The bill, H.137, is now heading to the Senate to be assessed, meaning that the state is a step closer to joining neighboring states that already offer sports betting.

A number of amendments have been made to the bill, but further information will need to be looked at, such as the tax rate that would be charged on sports betting in the state.

There is uncertainty over whether certain matters will have to be looked at more closely before any approval is given, or whether the legislature will leave these up to regulators to decide in the future.

Various Matters Need to Be Addressed

According to reports, there are a number of important matters that still need to be addressed when it comes to this sports betting bill.

One of these is the tax rate that will be imposed on sports betting operators, as there is nothing mentioned about this in the bill at present. Naturally, the state will be keen to reap the financial rewards if sports betting is approved, so this is something that will need to be looked at carefully for a decision to be made.

Another pertinent matter that requires attention is whether sportsbooks will be able to deduct promotional play from taxable revenue, which is a matter that has been looked at in other states recently. Some states have made changes and amendments that mean sportsbooks cannot deduct promotional play.

PlayUSA states:

Whether the Senate or a conference will address other issues like a tax structure remains to be seen. Members of the state’s Dept. of Liquor and Lottery, which would be charged with overseeing legal sports betting, would probably prefer they do so.

One amendment that has already been made related to a problem gambling fund in Vermont. An original draft of this bill referred to a Responsible Gambling Special Fund, but the language was deemed to be too minimal. As a result, it has now been expanded to provide greater clarity with new sections being added to the latest bill.

Amendments have also been made in other areas of the bill. For instance, the state’s colleges and universities will not be able to advertise sportsbooks at their sites. In addition, sportsbooks will not be able to ’advertise in a manner that targets the areas of a college or university campus.’

Great for Sports Fans and the State

If sports betting is finally approved in Vermont, it will be great news for both sports fans in the state and state finances. Many sports fans have watched enviously as neighboring states have legalized sports betting over recent years. If the bill gets through, they can finally enjoy the convenience and thrill of being able to place bets within their own state.

Of course, the state will benefit as well, as the legalization of sports betting will likely bring in a lot of money. This includes money from licensing fees, as well as the tax revenue from sports betting.