Once a given state becomes surrounded on all sides by regions that permit online sports betting, area lawmakers become poised to pass bills that regulate sportsbooks at the local level.
That’s exactly what happened in the Marble State, as legal sports betting in Vermont is set to debut on January 11, 2024. No longer will local gamblers be lured by the online sportsbooks available in New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts.
All that VT-based players had to do previously was cross over into any neighboring state and bet on sports using their smartphones. This practice is entirely legal and akin to placing a bet on pro or college sports while visiting Las Vegas.
Governor Phil Scott signed a legal sports betting bill into law in June, and the debut of sportsbooks in VT will happen seven months later. That’s incredibly quick when compared to other states that have taken a year or more to accept wagers locally.
Lawmakers in the Green Mountain State are anxious to usher in legal options for betting on Super Bowl 58 in time to capitalize on the revenue that is brought in each time the big game airs in February.
Over $70 billion is bet on the Super Bowl annually, but that data is entirely based on handle collected at domestic sportsbooks in the USA from prior seasons. Domestic sports betting continues to spread to new states, with some expanding from in-person locations to include online and mobile options.
We’re forecasting Super Bowl betting to exceed $80 billion in 2024.
Where You’ll Be Able To Bet On Sports In Vermont
Vermont has opted out of local sports betting and brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. There is plenty of evidence that shows mobile and online sportsbooks bring in an exponential amount of handle when compared to retail locations.
It is all a matter of convenience. Betting on sports does not require the presence of other gamblers. Thus, there is no need to perform the act in person.
What Sportsbook Apps Will Be Available In VT?
The first three online and mobile sportsbooks that have been granted licenses to operate by the Vermont State Lottery Commission. FanDuel and DraftKings are prepared to open on the debut date and are accepting online registrations now.
Fanatics Sportsbook App is also preparing to launch in VT, but they have yet to commit to January 11th as a start date.
The minimum age to legally bet on sports in Vermont is 21, the same age for alcohol purchasing and consumption. That does leave a gap in the market that offshore sports betting sites can exploit.
There are several internationally-based sports betting sites that accept gamblers aged 18 to 20 in Vermont. There are no VT gambling laws that forbid them from accepting local members that are 20 and under and allowing them to bet in their online sportsbook or casino.