Vermont Lawmakers Seek to Repeal Lottery and Sports Betting

By John Isaac,
Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac is an editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He writes expert articles on card games like blackjack and poker. In addition, he is also well aware of the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets. You can rely on verified information and insightful details.

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Last updated: February 17, 2025

Vermont has recently celebrated the one-year mark of legalized online sports betting, but three Vermont legislators think it has been enough now. Three state representatives, Thomas Stevens (D), Troy Headrick (I), and Michael Mrowicki (D), have filed a bill that would see the state repeal sports betting and the lottery; this will eliminate the gambling forms completely.

The Bill Targets Sports Betting and the Lottery

Bill H.133 was introduced on February 4th and has been referred to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. This bill is a surprise as none of the sponsors were particularly vocal in opposition to online sports betting and lottery before filing the bill.

The only sponsor to go on record after the bill was filed was Rep. Headrick, who said that he feels sports betting revenues are mostly generated from low-income gamblers.

Gaming Repeal Bill First of its Kind in Post-PASPA World

After the Supreme Court of the United States repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, sports betting took off. A nationwide ban on new regulated sports betting markets ended.

Currently, more than three dozen states offer a form of legalized sports betting, while Vermont launched online sports betting in 2024. Since 2018, no state has repealed its sports betting laws – Vermont would be the first. Additionally, no state has ever annulled its lottery either.

When asked whether he thinks this repeal would lead to similar moves in other states, Headrick replied, “I would hope that just-minded legislators in other states take a hard look at how these predatory contracts extract wealth from their most vulnerable residents. The losses are predictable, and the harm is measurable. No state should rely on a funding mechanism that depends on its people losing.”

For it to become law, the repeal would need to pass a vote in the House and Senate and then get signed by Gov. Phil Scott. Headrick is not very optimistic, saying he believes Scott isn’t focused on giving a break to low-income households.

Vermont’s Successful Sports Betting Year

Vermont was the last of the states in New England to legalize sports betting. In 2024, the state generated a handle of $198.7 million and gross revenues of $21.9 million.  While other states benefitted from Vermonters crossing state lines to make sports bets for many years, last year, the tables turned. About 30% of Vermont’s betting handle came from out-of-state gamblers.