Vermont

On January 11, 2024, Vermont joined the growing list of states with legalized sports betting. It may have taken a while to get sports betting off the ground, but now residents are being rewarded for their patience with three mobile sports betting apps available for download.

Since sports betting is still fresh on the market in Vermont, knowing what can and cannot be wagered on is essential. Betting on collegiate sports is available, but wagering on in-state colleges is not allowed unless one of those schools is playing in a tournament. So, unless the Vermont Catamounts make the NCAA Tournament, they cannot be wagered on. Aside from college sports, betting on eSports is also fully legal in the Green Mountain State.

While online sports wagering was not legal until January 2024, residents in VT have been able to use daily fantasy sports apps for quite some time, as they were made legal in the state in 2017. Vermont bettors can also download and use racebooks to wager on horse races online.

Online sports betting in The Green Mountain State

The pursuit of legal sports betting in Vermont started in 2019 with the introduction of H 484. However, like most first sports betting bill proposals, it did not make it far in the legislative process before dying. Vermont lawmakers doubled their efforts in 2020 by introducing two sports betting bills, and while S 59 was the first bill to pass the Senate, it would also end up dying.

Once again, in 2021, Vermont got closer to legal sports wagering with SB 77, which featured many of the same guidelines as the state's current sports betting bill, HB 127. Rep. Matthew Birong proposed that bill in 2023. By June 2023, the House and Senate passed this online-only sports betting bill, which Gov. Phil Scott signed into law.

They may have been fashionably late, but Vermont finally arrived at the legal sports betting party. HB 127 allows the state to issue six sports betting licenses to mobile operators, and three have been issued.

DraftKings, FanDuel, and the Fanatics Sportsbook were the three operators cleared to launch on January 11, 2024. Two other operators, BetMGM and ESPN Bet, applied for licenses simultaneously, but the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery did not approve them.

Many states that allow legal sports betting require mobile operators to partner with in-state casinos, but that is not the case in Vermont. Retail betting remains illegal in Vermont because there are no casinos.

Expansion is likely, but with two operators already denied licenses, the state is clearly very selective about who it allows to enter the market. Still, three licenses are available, so operators will continue to pursue operating in the state.

All legal VT sports betting apps in 2025:

Sports betting & gambling legislation in VT

To place a legal sports wager in Vermont, bettors must be at least 21 years old. This is an important rule for Vermont residents because, while the legal gambling age in the state is technically 18, that does not apply to online sports betting. Since retail wagering is not available in Vermont, remote registration is permitted for all bettors who are at least 21 years old.

Not only does the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery enforce these rules and regulations, but it also has the critical task of handing out operator licenses. Much like the gambling age, the tax rate on gambling winnings also requires some added attention. For residents of VT, the tax rate on winnings is set at 6%, but for non-residents of VT, the tax rate is set at 7.25% on all winnings made in the state.

Further discussions concerning gambling matters are not currently on the table. This includes the legalization of iGaming and online poker. Without these two markets or retail casinos, the gambling landscape beyond sports betting comprises the lottery, DFS apps, and horse race betting.

Cider Slam Drinking Showdowns: Apple-Based Games Meet Responsible Betting

Vermont’s booming craft cider scene is no secret, but could it become even bigger with betting? A revolutionary tasting room experience could take root and give way to Cider Slam Drinking Showdowns. Guests would gather at top cideries in Burlington, Middlebury, or the Champlain Valley to participate in friendly competitions like “Fastest Flight Finisher,” “Most Accurate Cider Flavor ID,” and any other market the cideries and sportsbooks could come up with. 

While the core of the event is fun and educational, adding a responsible micro-wagering layer could provide a boost to multiple areas. Wagers could be limited and geofenced through mobile apps, ensuring betting compliance that the state lays out and maintaining the spirit of casual, responsible gaming.

With Vermont's sports betting handle expected to continue to grow in the coming years, novelty cider-based betting could carve out a nice role for itself in the market.  These events would not only support local cider producers and agri-tourism but also introduce a broader social demographic to Vermont’s betting ecosystem.

Underground moose racing – a myth, a joke, or Vermont’s wildest betting story?

Vermont is known for its dense forests and abundant moose population—but could underground moose racing really exist? Some locals share stories about late-night wagers placed on 1,000-pound moose charging through remote trails, or in this case, tracks, with back-alley bettors gathering in secret to bet on which beast will cross the finish line first.

Is there any truth to the legend? While no official records exist, Vermont’s long history of unconventional competitions, such as maple syrup competitions, suggests that the idea will make you think for a split second about whether or not it’s true. Some speculate that moose racing jokes originated like most longshot gambling tales do, which is at a local bar after a couple of rounds of drinks.

Real or not, the thought of a high-stakes, backwoods moose race remains one of Vermont’s most bizarre gambling myths.

Most recent updates from the VT sports betting scene

• February 19, 2025: A year into Vermont’s online sports betting, lawmakers Stevens, Headrick, and Mrowicki unexpectedly filed H.133 to repeal it. Headrick justified the move by highlighting gambling’s disproportionate burden on the poor.

• December 18, 2024: Heading into the new year, the Vermont Catamounts are no longer favored to win the America East regular season title, as they are now (+400).

• November 20, 2024: The Vermont Catamounts have started the season 2-3. They are still favored to win the regular season conference tournament at (+120).

• November 18, 2024: Legendz Social Sportsbook & Casino debuts in Vermont and 42 other US states, claiming high RTP and offering free play. Open to players 18+, props, parlays, and real prizes are included.

• October 25, 2024: College basketball season is right around the corner, and the Vermont Catamounts are heavy favorites to be the America East regular season champions at (-200) on BetMGM.

• September 11, 2024: According to state revenue reports for sports betting, baseball was the sport that saw the most action in Vermont, as over $3 million was bet on America's pastime.

• July 10, 2024: The Vermont Democratic Party encounters a fraud incident involving a $925 unauthorized debit card charge, which was funneled into a FanDuel sports betting account. Though political committees often attract criminal schemes, this case is unique as it marks the sole known instance of stolen funds being directed towards gambling.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

While Vermont may have finally gotten over the hump of launching sports betting, that launch does not include retail wagering. Retail sports betting is still illegal as there are no casinos in the state.

Not only does The Green Mountain State not have any casinos to launch retail sports betting in, but the state also doesn’t have any horserace tracks even though betting on horse races is entirely legal.

Brews and bets: a potential path for gambling expansion in Vermont

Vermont’s craft beer scene is iconic, with world-renowned breweries like The Alchemist, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, and Hill Farmstead drawing beer aficionados from all over. But could this booming industry ever intersect with gambling? While Vermont remains hesitant to legalize traditional casinos, the idea of allowing breweries to partner with a sportsbook and open up betting kiosks could certainly be appealing.

A brewery-run sports lounge where visitors can sample the latest beer flavors while placing wagers on the next big Patriots game. Some states have experimented with brewery-hosted poker nights, so could Vermont’s taprooms embrace a similar model, incorporating sports betting into their marketing strategies? 

While this concept remains purely hypothetical, Vermont’s craft beer industry thrives on innovation—so why not bring a little betting into the mix? If nothing else, a brewery-themed sportsbook would certainly make watching the next UVM Catamounts game even more exciting. Not to mention it would also bring more money into the state by way of tax revenue.

Creemee consumption challenges: Soft-serve speed betting

At Creemee stands across Vermont, the state’s beloved maple soft-serve has already become a sign and staple of summer. With popularity already achieved, the next step for the state and Cremee could be creating a betting market based around the product. “Creemee Consumption Challenges” could emerge as a lighthearted novelty betting niche, where participants compete in categories like fastest to finish. 

Expansion to the states' gambling legislation would be required for this idea to come to light, but if it did, Creemee contests could boost engagement at local festivals and local events. Licensed mobile apps in the state would also have to be on board with launching a market like this, but with food-eating contests making their way to mainstream betting services, the possibility is certainly there.

Sports betting in neighboring states

Vermont was one of the few northeastern states remaining without legalized sports betting. Until the official launch of mobile betting in January 2024, Vermont residents could travel over the state’s borders to New York and Massachusetts to find pervasive betting markets.

Not only do New York and Massachusetts offer legal sports wagering, but New Hampshire does as well. To read more about all three states’ betting infrastructure, click on their names below.

Sports betting revenue impact on Vermont's economy

Vermont's sports betting bill allows a maximum of six mobile operators to join the market. The three sportsbooks that already obtained a license to operate paid a licensing fee of $500,000. These operators were also required to pay an additional annual fee, which is set to decrease as more licenses are acquired. The tax rate for these operators is 20%, which is considerably high compared to all other US states with legal sports betting.

Within its initial 20 days alone, Vermont's sports betting saw a substantial handle exceeding $19.9 million. Tourism contributed $7.1 million, comprising 36% of the total volume. The trio of licensed VT sports betting platforms - FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics - collectively generated $3.6 million in revenue for January 2024. These operators also paid Vermont $1.1 million in monthly sports betting taxes.

Despite being a small state, the robust start of the state's legal betting market indicates that VT could average around $16-18 million in terms of placed real-money wagers per month with its current regulatory framework. This should result in around $6-8 million of tax income for the state annually. In total, during the first year of legal sports betting in Vermont, the state saw almost $200 million worth of placed bets, resulting in over $21 million in sportsbooks' revenue and more than $6 million in tax income for the state.

Vermont sports betting record months:

• Sports betting handle: December 2024 ($24,453,075)

• Revenue: January 2024 ($4,211,298)

• Tax income: January 2024 ($1,146,703)

Latest VT sports betting revenue report breakdown (February 2025)

• Total betting handle: $21,534,379

  • Wagers placed by in-state bettors: $13,106,502

  • Wagers placed by out-of-state bettors: $8,427,877

• Winnings paid to players: $19,131,838

  • Resettlements, voided wagers, promos, etc.: $221,446

• Gross revenue: $2,402,541

  • Adjusted gross sports wagering revenue: $2,181,095

• Tax revenue for the state: $693,284

Reported by the Department of Liquor and Lottery.

What sports do VT bettors wager the most - February 2025:

1. Basketball (Handle: $7.6m)

2. Soccer ($3.2m)

3. Tennis ($3.1m)

4. Football ($1.4m)

5. eBasketball ($535,553)

6. All other sports ($5.6m)

Recent revenue report data - Compared to the previous year (YoY)

VT sports betting revenue in 2025

Vermont's monthly sports betting handle, gross gaming revenue, and received tax income from operators regarding the present year are all gathered in the following table. The percentage in brackets also shows how these monthly handle and revenue figures have evolved compared to the previous month.

2024 revenue data

Yearly revenue totals

A frosty jackpot: The economic benefits of snowman betting in Vermont

Vermont’s long and freezing winters, along with its popular snowman-building contests, could provide an untapped revenue stream for the state’s sports betting market. Sportsbooks could introduce odds on categories like tallest snowman, most creative design, or longest-lasting sculpture, driving engagement among locals and tourists who came to see the legendary contests. 

If just 2% of Vermont’s potential $200 million annual sports betting handle came from snowman betting markets, that could generate $4 million in wagers annually. With Vermont’s proposed tax rate on sports betting at 20%, that’s $800,000 in potential extra tax revenue, which could help with funding public services, infrastructure, or environmental programs.

A statewide snowman-building championship, supported by sportsbooks, could further improve winter tourism and sponsorship revenue while attracting more visitors during the slower economic months. To stand out in a crowded sports betting market in the U.S., Vermont should explore unique, seasonal betting markets like this to help them go beyond traditional sports.