Sports bettors in Vermont are wondering how close their state is to legalizing sports betting. Is 2023 the year that Vermont sports betting is going to offer legal sports betting to the public? TheSportsGeek is going over the current Vermont gambling laws in the state, and how things could change in the near future.
The main question we are asking today for Vermont sports bettors is if Vermont can legalize sports betting in 2023. Most states in the U.S. are now offering sports betting products for their citizens. There are 32 states, plus DC, that are accepting legal sports bets in 2023.
The stage is set by nature for a peaceful and beautiful start to 2023. #ThisIsVT #HappyNewYear pic.twitter.com/nobU7n5JWs
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Along with the 32 states and DC, there are four states that have legal sports betting, but not accepting sports bets yet. These states are still going through the process and putting the framework together. In the entire country, there are only three states that do not have any sports betting legislation.
The 11 states that had a sports betting bill die, for instance, California, will attempt to legalize sports betting in the future. Where does sports betting in Vermont fit into this equation in 2023? They are certainly not one of the 32 states offering a legal sports betting product, but is Vermont’s time coming soon?
In many states, the issue preventing legal sports betting from moving forward is revenue sharing. More specifically, revenue sharing between the state and indigenous tribes. Keep in mind that tribal casinos make up the gambling industry in some states.
Maine, Minnesota, and North Dakota are a few examples of tribal casinos acting as huge stakeholders in the debate for legalized sports betting. There is a lot of money at stake, and right now, Vermont is losing money to New Hampshire and New York.
Sports Betting In Vermont
We need to get into the current situation regarding Vermont sports betting. It is important to understand what is going on now and where the state plans on going in the future. Before the citizens of Vermont can vote on a sports betting bill, there has to be something to vote on.
Sports betting in Vermont is not at that point where the public can vote on a sports betting bill. However, a recent study showed that legalizing sports betting in Vermont would help generate revenue in the state.
Are Indigenous Tribal Casinos Involved In Vermont?
The tribal casinos pretty well run gambling in some states. These tribes have to be involved in decision-making when it comes to new gambling initiatives, whether it is casinos, poker, scratch-off tickets. They have a lot of power at the table.
If indigenous tribes are not involved, then the process is much easier for the state to implement sports betting. Setting up revenue sharing should not be as difficult with tribal casinos. So, what is the verdict for Vermont sports betting?
Unlike neighboring Maine, there are no tribal casinos in Vermont. In fact, there are no federally recognized American Indian tribes in the state. As a result of no American Indian tribes being recognized by the federal government, there are no tribal casinos in the state.
That removes one potential roadblock in Vermont. Once the details are hammered down it can be fine, but drawing up a fair revenue-sharing plan with the tribes can be a lengthy process.
In other words, if Vermont can get a sports betting bill to a vote in 2023, there is a good chance that there will be legal sports betting in Vermont. A bill will have to be drafted to present to the citizens of Vermont first.
2022 Vermont Sports Betting Study Committee
According to the Vermont Legislature, the 2022 Vermont Sports Betting Study Committee was established as Act 183. The purpose of Act 183 was to establish whether sports betting should be legalized in Vermont or not.
In putting the Study Committee together, the General Assembly intended to determine whether it should be legalized, and how sports betting should be regulated in Vermont. There is also a point of how the study should find how Vermont citizens participating in sports bettors are protected.
The Sports Betting Study Committee was made up of nine members. These individuals included the Attorney General, Secretary of State, Commissioner of Liquor and Lottery, Secretary of Commerce, and government officials from the Senate and the House.
In short, the Study Committee wanted to weigh the positives and negatives of sports betting in Vermont. This was felt necessary given the increased pressure from neighboring states taking potential revenue away from the state.
Findings of Vermont Sports Betting Study Commitee
The study overwhelmingly determined that legal sports betting in Vermont should be enacted. This is the best news that sports bettors in Vermont could have asked for with this sports betting study.
The results were published in mid-December of 2022, with six important factors to take away from the study. The 2022 Vermont Sports Betting Study Committee recommends the following.
Conclusion of Vermont Sports Betting Study:
- Vermont sports betting should be legalized and a state-controlled market established.
- The ultimate authority for sports betting in Vermont should be granted to the Department of Liquor and Lottery.
- Vermont must guarantee that administrative agencies have the authority to be able to react and adapt to a rapidly changing market.
- Mobile and online sports betting should be offered in Vermont.
- Revenue sharing should be implemented through a competitive bidding process.
- Comprehensive responsible gaming and problem gambling measures should be established by Vermont.
Along with the 2022 Vermont Sports Betting Study Committee suggesting that Vermont sports betting should be legalized, the governor of Vermont, Phil Scott, is on board with sports betting. However, this does mean that everyone is thrilled with sports betting in Vermont.
Are State Lawmakers Ready To Approve Sports Betting In Vermont?
While Vermont does not have a roadblock with tribal casinos, the biggest battle is going to be convincing state lawmakers in Vermont to vote in favor of legal sports betting.
Not all lawmakers in Vermont are enthusiastic about sports betting in Vermont being legalized. House Speaker of Vermont, Jill Krowinski-D, and state representative, Thomas Stevens, are the most outspoken about legal sports betting.
”Do we want to bring casino gaming into every single Vermont home? Because that’s what a proposal for sports betting is”, Stevens stated to Seven Days magazine.
Fortunately, Stevens noted that he is open to listening to the proposal, but will have questions that have to be answered before moving forward with sports betting. TheSportsGeek believes that state lawmakers will ultimately come around and pass a sports betting bill in Vermont.
”We’re going to have to take a look at the legalization proposal with a microscope and make sure it’s the right thing for the state”, Stevens added in a comment.
The main sticking point for Krowinski, Stevens, and perhaps other state lawmakers is problem gambling in the state. They are not thrilled with making it easier for the public to gamble. Online and mobile gaming essentially puts a casino in anyone’s house that wants it.
Their argument is that problem gamblers will be enticed by the easy access and spend too much money. In other words, before a sports betting bill is passed in the Vermont Legislature, the problem gambling protection may have to be strict.
It is also worth noting that Vermont has never had regulated gambling in the state. There are no casinos or horse racetracks, so Vermont is going into unknown territory. This should not be a surprise that some members of the state government are going to be hesitant at first.
Where Can Vermont Sports Bettors Wager On Sports?
Fortunately, there are casinos within driving distance in other states. New York and Hampshire have retail sports betting. New Hampshire provides the easiest access for sports bettors in Vermont to wager legally.
There are three sportsbook locations in New Hampshire accepting wagers. These sportsbooks can be found in Seabrook, Manchester, and Dover. Note that Maine is trying to get their sports betting product off the ground, but it is currently in flux.
If you are in Vermont and do not have the time to drive to New Hampshire or New York, TheSportsGeek has another option. We have listed the best Vermont betting sites, where sports bettors can bet on sports right now in 2023.
Will There Be Sports Betting In Vermont In 2023?
The new year brings lots of hope and optimism for sports bettors in Vermont. However, lawmakers are weighing whether sports betting is best for the state. They are currently going over the details of the 2022 Vermont Sports Betting Study Committee recommendations with a fine comb.
What do we see happening at TheSportsGeek? Do not be surprised if state lawmakers respond with minor changes to the Study Committee’s findings. We could get into a back-and-forth between lawmakers and the committee before a sports betting bill is drafted to vote on.
Once the sports betting bill goes through the House and Senate, the citizens of Vermont will have the opportunity to vote. It is not a guarantee that it will be passed by voters in Vermont, but they will likely follow New York and New Hampshire.
Getting everything set up and rolling for sports bettors to put their wagers in this year looks like a reach. If sports betting does launch, it is going to be in very late 2023. In a state that has never regulated gambling before, there are going to be wrinkles to iron out.
It would be surprising if legal sports betting in Vermont does not launch in 2024, though. This would likely mean that lawmakers or the public opposed legalizing sports betting. We are optimistic that both will pass in due time, though.
