For some states, getting a sports betting bill through the legislature is like pulling teeth, and the crown breaks requiring cutting the gums, and chipping away at the roots.
Fortunately, that did not happen to Vermont…this year. Not yet at least. The proposal sailed unimpeded through the House. No debate. No amendments. An aye voice vote. Took all of two minutes on the House floor March 24.
According to the VT Digger, the bill included budget caps on advertising and tiered fines for repeat violators. If it gets through the Senate and the Governor signs the legislation, the state lottery will oversee sports betting, charged with negotiating revenue sharing deals for two to six operators.
License fees still need to be decided but the share agreement expects to be 20 percent, according to SBCAmericas.
Lawmakers anticipate $2 million in revenue for year one and $10 million by year five. You can place bets if you’re 18.
The bill includes funding for responsible gambling measures and charges the lottery with developing an annual study on responsible gaming.
A similar Senate law lies in the Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs. Will it die there? Won’t look good if it does as the revenue is included in the state budget.
