Vermont Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban State Lottery and Online Sports Betting
Vermont legislators are considering a major rollback on gambling. House Bill 133 (H.133), introduced on February 4, 2025, seeks to repeal the state’s lottery and online sports betting laws. The bill is now under review by the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs.
Bill Proposes Full Repeal of Gambling Laws
If passed, H.133 would eliminate Chapter 14 (State Lottery) and Chapter 25 (Sports Wagering) from Title 31 of the Vermont Statutes. This change would make offering lottery or sports betting illegal under Chapter 51, Title 13 V.S.A., which governs gambling-related offenses.
Representatives Thomas Stevens, Troy Headrick, and Michael Mrowicki sponsored the bill. Rep. Headrick has argued that online sports betting revenue comes largely from low-income individuals, making it a concern for lawmakers focused on economic equity.
Vermont’s Sports Betting Market Falls Under Scrutiny
The state legalized online sports betting in January 2024. In its first year, operators handled $198.7 million in bets and generated $21.9 million in gross gaming revenue.
Notably, 30% of wagers came from out-of-state bettors, showing Vermont’s appeal as a small but active betting market.
Despite these figures, revenue fell slightly below projections, raising concerns among lawmakers. Some now question whether the economic benefits justify the potential risks associated with gambling.
For now, sports betting and the lottery remain legal, but the debate is heating up. The bill must pass several legislative hurdles, including committee reviews and floor votes, before reaching Governor Phil Scott’s desk.
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