Legal Vermont sports betting went live on Jan. 11, 2024. We’ve provided a detailed timeline of relevant events surrounding Vermont’s legal sports betting scene below:
Aug. 13, 2024: DraftKings nixes its plan to add surcharges to winning bets in Vermont, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania.
July 16, 2024: Vermont sets a new all-time low for sports betting handle and revenue in June, generating less than $1 million in revenue on a $10.05 million handle.
May 26, 2024: Vermont’s handle dips below $20 million in April, which the the lowest number since launching in January.
April 9, 2024: Vermont generates $21 million in betting handle in its first full month of legal sports betting.
March 12, 2024: Vermont bans college player prop betting, joining Maryland and Ohio as the only U.S. states to prohibit this bet type.
Feb. 15, 2024: A newly proposed Vermont bill, H.857, is cracking down on gambling-related advertising within the state.
Jan. 11, 2024: Vermont’s three sportsbooks accept their first legal action — a $10 parlay on the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, a $12.50 bet on Houston to win the AFC, and Max Strus over 2.5 three-pointers were the first legal VT sports wagers placed.
Jan. 11, 2024: Celebrate the launch of legal Vermont sports betting by checking out the Vermont Catamounts and UMBC Retrievers odds for their NCAAB matchup tonight.
Jan. 11, 2024: Legal Vermont sports betting launched at 12 a.m., ET, on Jan. 11, 2024. Eligible VT bettors can now access three online sportsbooks — FanDuel, DraftKings and Fanatics Sportsbook.
Jan. 10, 2024: Covers’ own Brad Senkiw outlines everything you need to know ahead of Vermont’s legal sports betting launch tomorrow.
Dec. 19, 2023: Covers’ own Geoff Zochodne details why Vermont chose some online sports betting sites but not others, even though the state was approved to issue two additional operators a legal operating license.
Dec. 18, 2023: Vermont’s Board of Liquor and Lottery releases the state’s sports betting catalog ahead of Jan. 11, 2024, launch, includes more than 70 sports.
Dec. 13, 2023: Vermont is set to launch legal sports betting on Jan. 11, 2024, and Covers’ own Geoff Zochodne has everything you need to know here.
Dec. 12, 2023: Vermont regulators announce legal sports betting will launch on Jan. 11, 2024.
Dec. 11, 2023: Legal Vermont sports betting may launch soon, as the request for operator’s proposals suggests that state regulators could be targeting a January launch.
Nov. 8, 2023: The Vermont Board of Liquor and Lottery adjust background check rules for individuals seeking involvement with sportsbook operators ahead of the state’s upcoming legal sport betting launch.
Sept. 13, 2023: Five operators submit bids for Vermont sports betting licenses — BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, FanDuel and Penn Sports Interactive (ESPN Bet).
July 25, 2023: Potential operators in Vermont have until Aug. 28, 2023, to submit their request for proposals (RFP) in a bid to offer event wagering in the state.
July 17, 2023: Vermont regulators approve amended rules for sports betting and event wagering.
July 12, 2023: The Department of Liquor and Lottery (DLL) meets to review enhanced procedures regarding Vermont sports betting.
July 6, 2023: Vermont regulators will issue RFPs to stir competition among sportsbook operators.
June 14, 2023: Governor Phil Scott signs Vermont’s sports betting bill into law.
May 31, 2023: The approval of H.127 paves the way for Vermont’s Governor to sign the bill into law.
May 9, 2023: The Vermont House of Representatives concurred with amendments made by the state Senate to H.127, legislation that will bring legal sports betting to the state. A tentative date has been set to launch by January 2024.
March 2023: H.127 is the first sports betting bill to pass the Vermont House, and — in positive news — the governor supports the legislation.
February 2023: H.127 — which would allow for two to six online sportsbooks in Vermont – passes its first committee by a nine to three vote. There are three more committees to pass before it comes to the Vermont House.
December 2022: Vermont published the sports betting study — key finding and recommendation are to legalize sports betting and have the Department of Liquor and Lottery regulate the industry within the state.
September 2021: Senate Bill 77 was introduced — a sports betting study gathering data to determine projected handle, revenue, and tax rates — and is completed by October.
2019: House Bill 494 is introduced in hopes of legalizing retail and online sports betting in Vermont. It earns a muted response as it was read once and died without another mention.
May 14, 2018: After 26 years after it’s enacted, the Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), enabling each U.S. state to formally legalize and regulate sports betting.
1992: Vermont’s last retail horse track shuts down operations, but horse racing betting is still legal (pari-mutuel).
1992: The Supreme Court rules in favor of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which strictly limits states’ rights in terms of legalized sports betting.
1960: Vermont legislatures legalize horse racing betting in the state. The first track would open a few years later.