Vermont sets January 11 launch date for mobile sports betting

Vermont’s regulated mobile sports betting market will officially open on January 11th 2024, with DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics Sportsbook the first operators approved to launch.

Having previously expected to open the market on January 1st, Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Department of Liquor and Lottery Commissioner Wendy Knight confirmed yesterday that the launch date will now be January 11th.

Through a competitive bid process, the Department of Liquor and Lottery selected DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics Sportsbook to operate the first mobile sports wagering platforms in the state.

With contracts fully executed, a pre-registration period is now open, allowing the operators to market their brand and pre-register players before the January launch date.

“I first proposed Vermont legalize sports wagering several years ago, and it’s good to see it come to fruition,” said Governor Scott.  “Vermonters and visitors alike will soon be able to access a regulated sports wagering marketplace, which will come with important consumer protections and generate revenue for the State.”

In June, Governor Scott signed a bill legalizing online sports wagering and authorizing the Department of Liquor and Lottery to issue up to six licences.

By September, five sportsbook operators had applied for licenses, with BetMGM and PENN Entertainment’s ESPN BET the two operators yet to be approved.

The state will receive a percentage of each operator’s adjusted gross sports wagering revenue, in addition to an operator fee.

The new sportsbook operations are expected to bring in up to $7 million in new revenue to the state during the first full year of operations.

“We are excited to offer sports enthusiasts the ability to engage in sports wagering in Vermont with three of the industry’s top companies,” said Commissioner Knight.