Vermont Passes Fantasy Sports Bill

After passing a DFS bill back in May (Bill S 136), on Thursday, June 8, Vermont became state number 12 in the United States to legalize fantasy sports betting. Governor Phil Scott signed the bill, which looks like most of the other states laws that have legalized the activity. It brings forth basic regulatory factors and makes sure to have security for their consumers while still creating a low barrier for operators to enter.

Speaking of those operators, a statement from a DraftKings and FanDuel spokesperson was released after the news and they said “More than 100,000 — and growing — fantasy sports fans can now breathe easy, as the state has made it crystal clear: fantasy sports are welcome in Vermont On behalf of those fans, we want to thank Governor Scott and the legislature, particularly Senators Kevin Mullin and Dick Sears and Representatives Bill Botzow and Michael Marcotte — for updating state law to affirm fantasy sports are legal and establish some common-sense regulations for all companies to ensure consumers are protected. We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Scott’s team, Attorney General Donovan and members of the legislature on a final, comprehensive regulatory and tax structure.”

Bill S 136 gives specific instructions to the executive branch to figure out how they are going to tax the fantasy sports revenue in the state of Vermont.

Why Is This Significant?

Big name daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel already provided betting opportunities in Vermont but there was much debate as to whether or not they should have been doing so without any state legislation. Now residents don’t have to worry about that.

John Treadwell, a state assistant attorney general for former Attorney General William Sorrell had a lot to say on that topic and believed the sites were providing services illegally. Before the legislation passed, he explained that for Vermont sports betting“Daily fantasy sports violate Vermont’s gambling laws,” and then went on to say that “Vermont has very strict long-standing limitations on gambling.”

Legal Fantasy Sports In The United States

This new fantasy sports bill clears all of that up and Vermont can start reaping the benefits associated with legalized fantasy sports gambling in the United States. The other states that are currently sharing this experience include New York, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Mississippi, Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, Virginia, Kansas, Arkansas, and Maryland.

Vermont joins Arkansas as the only two states to legalize the act in 2017 after a very successful 2016. Some other states that are working to join them include Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Hampshire, and more.

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