Vermont just recently celebrated its one-year anniversary of legalized online sports betting. Apparently three Vermont legislators think one year was quite enough.
Vermont Representatives Thomas Stevens (D), Troy Headrick (I), and Michael Mrowicki (D), introduced Bill H.133 to repeal the statutes that authorize the state lottery and online sports betting. The bill was introduced on Feb. 4 and has been referred to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs.
The bill’s introduction is a bit of a headscratcher. None of the bill’s sponsors had been particularly vocal in opposition to online sports betting prior to the bill’s filing. In fact, the only sponsor to go on record after the filing was Rep. Headrick, responding to PlayUSA, which broke the story. Headrick feels online sports betting tax revenues are predominately generated by low-income gamblers.
Vermont’s mostly successful online sports betting year
Vermont was the last New England state to legalize online sports betting when it launched in January 2024. In 2024, the state generated a handle of $198.7 million and gross revenues of $21.9 million. The state chose DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics to start, although the law allows up to six operators.
Meanwhile, after years of other states profiting from Vermonters – crossing state lines to make sports bets – the shoe was on the other foot last year. Almost 30% of the Vermont sports betting handle came from out-of-state bettors.
By all measures, Vermont’s first year of legalized online sports betting was successful. While its $6.3 million in tax revenues was a tad shy of projections, some of that was due to the unusually tough NFL season for sportsbooks this fall.
While legalized sports betting might not be uniformly embraced in the Green Mountain State, one year seems a little early for a case of buyer’s remorse. Besides, this might not be the best time for states to turn down tax revenue. As the new federal administration is looking to slash spending, states may come under more fiscal pressure over the next four years. So, given the current financial uncertainties – and the many other priorities facing Vermont – it might be a longshot for Bill H.133 to go the distance.
