H.127; Vermont Sports Wagering Act (2023)
The legislative bill that authorized legal mobile sports betting in Vermont. Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 14, 2023; market launched January 11, 2024.
H.127; Quick Facts
- Bill number: H.127
- Chamber of origin: Vermont House
- Signed: June 14, 2023, by Governor Phil Scott
- Effective: July 1, 2023 (regulatory rulemaking); market launch January 11, 2024
- Regulator designated: Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery
- Minimum age: 21
- Market structure: Mobile-only, capped to a limited number of competitively-selected operators
- Minimum revenue share: 20% of adjusted gross gaming revenue (operators may bid higher)
What H.127 Did
H.127 is the enabling statute for legal sports betting in Vermont. Before its passage, sports wagering was illegal in the state under general gambling prohibitions. The bill carved out a specific exception for mobile sports wagering, set the legal age at 21, designated the Department of Liquor and Lottery as sole regulator, and instructed the DLL to select a limited number of operators through competitive bidding. The bill explicitly excluded retail sportsbook locations; Vermont became, and remains, a mobile-only market.
Key Provisions
Age & Geolocation
Bettors must be at least 21 years old and physically located inside Vermont when placing a wager. Vermont residency is not required; visitors and out-of-state travelers can register and bet within the geofence. March 2026 DLL data shows roughly 30% of total handle came from out-of-state wagers placed inside Vermont.
Operator Cap & Competitive Bidding
Rather than allowing any qualifying operator to obtain a license, H.127 directed the DLL to run a competitive bidding process and select a small number of operators. The DLL announced three winners in December 2023: DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics. The cap is similar in structure to New York's nine-operator selection but tighter in absolute number.
Revenue Share
H.127 set a floor of 20% of adjusted gross gaming revenue and allowed bidders to offer more during the licensing process. All three Vermont licensees offered above the floor: FanDuel at 33%, DraftKings and Fanatics at 31% each. The blended state-wide rate is roughly 31.7%.
In-State College Prop Restriction
H.127 prohibits player props on in-state college teams; most notably the UVM Catamounts. Spreads, moneylines, and totals on UVM games are permitted; individual player props are not. Out-of-state college betting (including March Madness) has no such restriction. See the college sports page for what's allowed and what isn't.
Problem Gambling Funding
The bill earmarks a portion of the state's revenue share for problem gambling treatment programs administered by the Vermont Department of Mental Health, and authorizes the DLL to maintain a state-wide self-exclusion list.
Why H.127 Matters Now
H.127 is the legal foundation underneath every wager placed in Vermont. It defines who can offer sports betting (only the three licensed operators), who can place a bet (anyone 21+ inside Vermont), what bets are restricted (UVM player props), and where the state's share of revenue goes (the General Fund and problem-gambling treatment). Any future expansion; a fourth operator, retail kiosks, in-state college prop allowances; would require an amendment to H.127 or new legislation.
Reading the Full Bill
The full text of H.127 is available through the Vermont General Assembly. The companion regulations the DLL issued under H.127 authority are published on the regulator's site at liquorcontrol.vermont.gov.