Lawmaker Certain Vermont Will Pass Sports Betting Legislation

After three years of hard work, House Rep. Matt Birong looks ready to get sports betting legislation across the finish line in Vermont. The bill in question is HB 127, a bill that has already passed the House (March 24) and is on the way to Senate.

In an interview with the PlayUSA organization, Birong stated: “This will pass. There’s no doubt in my mind. Sports betting will be legalized in Vermont this year.”

This has been a fantastic example of perseverance. When Birong first introduced sports betting legislation in 2020, it was met with plenty of resistance. However, pressure has been brought to bear by surrounding New England states that have one by one begun passing their own sports betting legislation. Not wanting to be left in the dust with tax revenue going to other states and even Quebec, Canada, Vermont legislators appear to realize that now is the time to say YES.

That was confirmed by Birong who stated: “We’re kind of on an island. So the scope and breadth of the activity, legal and underground, helped a lot of folks come to terms with the fact that it was going on anyway and the best approach was to make it legal and utilize some of the revenue to invest in recovery/prevention treatment.”

At this point, the only remaining hurdle is getting the bill through the Senate. With that said, the yes votes seem to be there to get the bill to Gov. Phil Scott's desk. By all indications, he will sign the legislation.

What's in HB 127?

As detailed in the language of the legislation, the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery has been tagged to regulate sports betting in Vermont. Here is a list of rules and guidelines they will be enforcing:

• Only online/mobile sports betting will be permitted
  
• The regulator is authorized to select between 2 and 6 mobile sports betting operators
  
• Each mobile operator will pay an annual license fee of $275K
  
• Betting on in-state amateur (college) sports will be prohibited (except for major college tournaments like March Madness
  
• Horse race betting will be permitted under the same license
  
• The tax rate on gross revenue is TBD
  
• $250K of the state's revenue will go to a Responsible Gaming Special Fund
  
• Mobile gamblers must be 21 years of age or older
  

The Bill's Prognosis Going Forward

In the Senate, HB 127 seems to have ample support from Senators like Kesha Ram Hinsdale and Dick Sears. While Birng believes the Senate will make some minor changes to the bill, there is every reason to believe the bill will get passed by the end of the current legislative session. That would be May 19, 2023.

While a target launch date has not yet been set, there is a possibility Vermont residents will be legally betting on sports by the end of the year.