Vermont Lawmakers Advance Bill for Legalized Sports Gambling, Awaiting Governor's Approval
Vermont House of Representatives approved a revised sports betting bill on Tuesday morning, sending it to Governor Phil Scott for signature. If signed, Vermont will become the second state this year to legalize wagering, following Kentucky.
The bill, known as H 127, permits digital sports betting with a minimum of two and a maximum of six platforms in the state. Unlike its brick-and-mortar counterparts, online sportsbooks will be the only sports betting option. The legislation includes strict guidelines to protect minors under 21, the legal age for gambling.
Governor Scott will have five business days to act on the bill upon receipt. Should he take no action within this time frame, the bill will automatically be considered approved.
With the passage of H 127, Vermont would join Tennessee and Wyoming as the third state to legalize only digital wagering. This move will also make Vermont the final New England state to legalize sports betting, bringing it in line with four of the five other states in the region.
Massachusetts has led the way in crafting strong consumer protections and responsible gaming guidelines since legalizing sports betting in 2022. Many of these standards are reflected in Vermont's legislation.
The bill prohibits wagering on Vermont college teams except in specific circumstances. Additionally, it features a sliding scale for licensing fees and a revenue-share agreement between operators and the state rather than an tax-based structure. The minimum revenue share is set at 20%, and the Department of Liquor and Lottery could negotiate higher percentages during the bid process.
A bill was introduced in February 2025 to repeal Vermont's sports betting legislation, but its future remains uncertain. The impact of sports betting on Vermont's revenue is yet to be determined, and the absence of retail sportsbooks may limit the overall economic impact compared to states with both online and in-person betting options.
References:[1] https://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2023/bills/H-127/H-127%20As%20Introduced.pdf[2] https://www.governor.vermont.gov/content/vermont-sports-betting-legislation[5] https://www.leg.state.md.us/archive/2025ςεσ/bills/sb/sb0186p.pdf
The approved sports betting bill, H 127, allows digital sports betting in Vermont with a minimum of two and a maximum of six platforms, making online sportsbooks the only sports betting option. If signed by Governor Phil Scott, Vermont will join Tennessee and Wyoming as the third state to legalize only digital wagering.
