Vermont governor, Phil Scott, and department of liquor and lottery commissioner, Wendy Knight, have announced legal online sports betting will launch in the Green Mountain State on 11 January 2024.
Players in Vermont can download apps from licensed operators and place legal bets online from this date. Consumers will soon be able to pre-register with operators ahead of next month’s launch.
The launch has been made possible after Scott signed House Bill 127 into law in June this year. The bill permits up to six online sportsbooks to operate in Vermont.
Through a competitive bid process, the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery selected DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics Sportsbook to operate mobile sports wagering platforms in the state.
Operators will pay tax at rate of 20% of adjusted gross sports betting revenue. It is hoped betting will generate an additional $7.0m in revenue for Vermont during the first year of legalisation.
The bill also provides more resources to improve responsible gaming services in Vermont. Players must be at least 21 years of age to place legal bets.
Scott, a long-time advocate of legal sports wagering, welcomed the launch date. “I first proposed Vermont legalise sports wagering several years ago,” he said. “It’s good to see it come to fruition.
“Vermonters and visitors alike will soon be able to access a regulated sports wagering marketplace, which will come with important consumer protections and generate revenue for the state.”
Commissioner Knight added: “We are excited to offer sports enthusiasts the ability to engage in sports wagering in Vermont with three of the industry’s top companies.”