Vermont became the 29th state to launch legal online sportsbooks on January 11, 2024. It was the only New England state without legal sports betting before it went live.
At about 650,000 residents, Vermont is 49th in population in the United States. Only Wyoming is smaller in terms of the number of people living there.
Three operators made the cut
Vermont is now home to three legal online sportsbooks. Those are DraftKings, Fanatics, and FanDuel. BetMGM and ESPN Bet, formerly Barstool, both applied to be in the market. However, there were delays during the regulatory process that prevented both from opening on launch day. Both could enter the market at a future date. Caesars Sportsbook is notably absent from the list of operators and applicants.
Vermont online sportsbook bonuses
DraftKings and FanDuel offered Vermont players bonuses for signing up before launch that included bonus bets. Each now has standard offers available to new players. This includes the bet $5, get $200 offer at both sportsbooks. Fanatics has offers tailored around its sports memorabilia business that is worth up to $200.
Players who made accounts at these online sportsbooks in other states like Massachusetts and New York do not qualify for these offers. The bonuses are only available to new players.
How to play
Getting started in the Vermont online sportsbook world is easy. Choose your favorite sportsbook. You can either use a computer or a mobile app. Platforms include iOS, Android, Mac, and PC. Download the necessary software and make an account.
You must provide your name, address, date of birth, email address, and last four numbers of your Social Security Number to get started. Vermont bettors must be at least 21 years old and within the state’s borders to make wagers.
Tax benefits
Vermont expects to generate at least $7 million in taxes during its first year of legal online sports betting. The tax rate is 20 percent of gross gaming revenue. There are over 70 different sports on the board at the state’s online sportsbooks, which should help generate tax revenue year-round.
North Carolina is next
North Carolina is the only state with approved online sports betting that has yet to launch. State law permits those online sportsbooks, which must partner with a tribal casino or professional sports team, to launch already. However, the regulatory process is still not complete. North Carolina officials hope to have it off the ground by the time the NCAA’s March Madness begins.
North Carolina sports bettors can make wagers on their computers or apps. However, the state’s three tribal casinos have sportsbooks. Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River have a Caesars Sportsbook. The former has a state-of-the-art viewing area that includes VIP seating. Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River has a small sportsbook with a nearby bar. Both have ticket windows.
Catawba Two Kings does not have much of a sportsbook. It only has kiosks and a small viewing area that is along the casino floor next to slot machines.
