Vermont legislators zero in on safeguards while pushing sports betting bill

Photo: Rep. Matt Birong, D-Vergennes, left, chats with Rep. Dan Noyes, D-Wolcott, on the first day of the legislative biennium at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, January 04, 2023. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger

Vermont legislators zero in on safeguards while pushing sports betting bill

Article brief provided by VTDigger
  • Shaun Robinson, VTDigger
February 14, 2023 9:05 PM
  • Shaun Robinson, VTDigger
  • Vermont
  • Sports Betting

As Vermont lawmakers debate a bill that would legalize sports betting in the state, they are focusing on what it would take to regulate the companies that operate betting platforms and provide users with the resources needed to address problem gambling.

The bill, H.127, would allow two to six companies to operate a mobile sports betting platform in Vermont under the supervision of the state’s Department of Liquor and Lottery, according to the latest draft of the legislation. Sports betting — as well as participation in fantasy sports — would be restricted to people ages 21 and older.

In recent years, sports betting apps like DraftKings and FanDuel have boomed in popularity.