H 127 has been advanced to the Senate floor by the Vermont Senate Finance Committee. This measure would legalize online sports betting in Vermont. Lawmakers will discuss the measure and vote on it before the legislative session ends on May 12. This is a major step towards online sportsbooks launching in Vermont.
The measure is sponsored by House Rep. Matt Birong who spoke with TheLines.com about the measure. At the time, Birong was optimistic that the bill would pass. It appears that his optimism was justified as the measure continues to progress through the Senate chamber.
This measure would see Vermont join Tennessee and Wyoming as the only markets with online-only sports betting. Vermont is currently the only New England state that doesn’t have regulated sports betting of any kind. If the measure passes, the entire region would have legal betting.
The bill has a lot of momentum. In the House, the measure passed out of committee fairly easily and advanced to the Senate in March. Since then, the measure saw favorable voting in the Senate Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs Committee. The Finance Committee ultimately sent the measure to the Senate floor.
H 127 would allow up to six mobile sports betting operators in the Green Mountain State. The measure has a strong focus on responsible gambling efforts and consumer protection. Committee members met three times before voting on the bill, and they made amendments regarding fees during these meetings.
The Department of Liquor and Lottery will be in charge of overseeing sports betting in Vermont. This will also be the department that approves all advertising and license agreements.
The measure is sponsored by House Rep. Matt Birong who spoke with TheLines.com about the measure. At the time, Birong was optimistic that the bill would pass. It appears that his optimism was justified as the measure continues to progress through the Senate chamber.
This measure would see Vermont join Tennessee and Wyoming as the only markets with online-only sports betting. Vermont is currently the only New England state that doesn’t have regulated sports betting of any kind. If the measure passes, the entire region would have legal betting.
The bill has a lot of momentum. In the House, the measure passed out of committee fairly easily and advanced to the Senate in March. Since then, the measure saw favorable voting in the Senate Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs Committee. The Finance Committee ultimately sent the measure to the Senate floor.
H 127 would allow up to six mobile sports betting operators in the Green Mountain State. The measure has a strong focus on responsible gambling efforts and consumer protection. Committee members met three times before voting on the bill, and they made amendments regarding fees during these meetings.
The Department of Liquor and Lottery will be in charge of overseeing sports betting in Vermont. This will also be the department that approves all advertising and license agreements.
Assuming the measure passes out of the Senate, H 127 would only need a signature from Gov. Phil Scott to become legal. Birong believes that online sports betting could be live ahead of the upcoming NFL season or before Super Bowl Sunday if the measure passes this season.
“If it were to navigate its way through and be signed into law … best case scenario, fastest route to market, probably the beginning of next football season, if not next Super Bowl,” Birong said. “That’s TBD depending on what our operators are capable of putting together.”
Vermont is closer than ever to launching online sportsbooks.
https://www.thelines.com/vermont-sports-betting-bill-advances-to-senate-floor-2023/