Only a few more nods of approval stand between residents of the Green Mountain State and legal sports betting.
The Vermont Senate on Thursday gave what could be its final blessing to H.127, which would authorize event wagering in the state via online sports betting sites and apps.
Senators tweaked the bill during its time in the chamber before approving it, meaning the legislation must now head back to the House of Representatives, which already passed H.127, to get the amendments approved before legalized Vermont sports betting can proceed. Those proposed changes include a new fee structure for operators and a ban on advertising that intends to appeal to people under 21, among other things.
Gubernatorial good feelings
At its core, though, H.127 would still authorize sports betting in Vermont under the supervision of the Department of Liquor and Lottery. If the bill ultimately becomes law, the department would conduct a competitive bidding process to select two to six operators of mobile sportsbooks to take wagers in the state. However, the department could choose one or no operators if there are not enough worthy candidates.
Furthermore, if the House gives the nod to the legislation, Gov. Phil Scott seems likely to also approve H.127. The expectation among lawmakers is that legal sports betting could launch in the state by January 2024.
If so, Vermont would join the other New England states, which have already legalized sports betting.
