Vermont vs New Hampshire Sports Betting
Two adjacent New England states with radically different market structures. Vermont: three operators, 31–33% tax. New Hampshire: DraftKings monopoly, 51% tax. What changes when you cross the border.
Verdict at a Glance
Which State Is Better for the Bettor?
- Vermont: Better choice for almost all bettors. Three operators means you can line-shop. Lower tax rate funds slightly more competitive promotional offers. More banking options.
- New Hampshire: Only DraftKings is available. Higher tax rate (51%) translates to leaner welcome offers and tighter promotional terms than DK runs in VT.
- If you cross the border: You can use your DraftKings account in either state, but it must geo-verify you're inside the state where you're wagering. Your VT FanDuel and Fanatics accounts will not work inside New Hampshire; they have no NH license.
Market Structure Side-by-Side
| Category | Vermont | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| Operators | 3 (DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics) | 1 (DraftKings only) |
| Launch date | January 11, 2024 | December 30, 2019 |
| Regulator | VT Dept of Liquor & Lottery | NH Lottery Commission |
| Enabling law | H.127 (2023) | HB 480 (2019) |
| Tax rate (mobile) | 31–33% on AGR | 51% on AGR |
| Retail sportsbooks | None (mobile-only) | Yes (DK retail in select NH locations) |
| Minimum age | 21 | 18 |
| In-state college props | Prohibited (UVM) | Allowed (UNH props are legal) |
| Welcome offer (DK) | Bet $5, Get $200 (instant) | Generally smaller; varies |
Why the Tax Rates Differ So Much
New Hampshire structured its market as a state monopoly, awarding mobile rights to a single operator (DraftKings) in exchange for 51% of adjusted gross gaming revenue. That's among the highest tax rates in the US. The high rate maximizes state revenue per capita but eliminates competitive pressure on the operator.
Vermont went the opposite direction; a small (three-operator) competitive market with a 20% statutory minimum tax and competitive bidding for licenses. The three operators bid 31% and 33% respectively. Lower tax means slightly more aggressive promotional offers and competitive pricing pressure between operators.
What Happens When You Cross the Border
Vermont and New Hampshire share a long border, and many bettors live within an hour's drive of either state. Geolocation rules:
- You're in Vermont: Only your VT-licensed accounts work. DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics all function. Geofence verifies VT location.
- You're in New Hampshire: Only DraftKings works. FanDuel and Fanatics will display a "not in a licensed state" error.
- DraftKings account portability: Your DraftKings account works in any state where DraftKings is licensed. The geofence determines which state's rules apply for that wager. A bet placed in VT counts as a VT wager; the next bet placed in NH counts as an NH wager.
Important: The 21 vs 18 Difference
Vermont requires bettors to be 21. New Hampshire allows 18. A 19-year-old bettor with a valid NH-issued DraftKings account cannot place wagers when physically inside Vermont; geolocation will block them based on Vermont's stricter age requirement, even though their account is registered as an NH adult.
UNH vs UVM College Props
Vermont prohibits player props on the UVM Catamounts. New Hampshire allows player props on the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Wildcats. If you specifically want to bet UVM or UNH player markets, your options are:
- UVM player props: not available anywhere legal
- UNH player props: available on DraftKings while you are physically located in New Hampshire
The Honest Conclusion for Cross-Border Bettors
If you live in Vermont and occasionally travel to NH (or vice versa), keep your DraftKings account active and let it adapt to whatever state you're in. For everyday betting, Vermont's market is more competitive and offers better promotional value for the bettor. New Hampshire's market exists to maximize state revenue, not bettor outcomes.