Vermont Sports Betting: What's Legal and How to Bet Online in 2026

Vermont Sports Betting: What's Legal and How to Bet Online in 2026

Vermont launched mobile-only sports betting in January 2024 with three licensed apps — here's exactly what's legal, what's banned, and where you can legally bet in 2026.

James Guill
Published on

Vermont sports betting is legal. The Green Mountain State officially launched regulated online sports wagering on January 11, 2024, becoming the 38th U.S. state to authorize legal sports betting.

While Vermont online sports betting is live and regulated, the state remains restrictive in other areas of online gambling. Online casinos are illegal, and prediction market apps face a hostile regulatory environment.

Vermont is friendly to Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and sweepstakes casinos, providing a balanced, if deliberately small, digital gaming ecosystem for Vermont residents and visitors alike.

BETTING-BY-REGION

Mobile Sportsbooks

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3 apps available

DraftKings logo
FanDuel logo
Fanatics logo

Prediction Markets

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6 markets available

Kalshi logo
Polymarket logo
Robinhood Prediction Markets logo

Online Casinos

Sweepstakes Casinos

|

Available statewide

Daily Fantasy Sports

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Available statewide

Legal Age:21|Mobile:Yes

Vermont Online Sports Betting: Mobile-Only, Strictly Regulated

Vermont's legal sports betting market is 100% mobile. There are no retail sportsbooks, no land-based casinos, and no racetracks accepting wagers. To place a legal bet in Vermont, you must use one of the three state-approved sports betting apps. This makes Vermont one of only a handful of states, alongside Tennessee and Wyoming, to operate an exclusively online sports wagering framework, with no physical betting locations permitted under state law.

The market is tightly regulated by the DLL, which enforces strict consumer protections across all licensed platforms. Vermont bettors must be at least 21 years old and physically located within state borders to place a wager; geolocation technology is used by all three operators to enforce this requirement. Credit cards are banned as a funding method for online betting accounts, and all licensed sportsbooks must maintain a self-exclusion program. Bettors can register through the DLL website to self-exclude for periods of one year, three years, five years, or a lifetime. The state also funds a problem gambling helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) and launched VtGamblingHelp.org in June 2024 to provide 24/7 support resources.

One of the more distinctive rules in Vermont's regulated sports wagering framework concerns in-state college teams. Betting on Vermont college programs, including the University of Vermont Catamounts (UVM) and teams from schools like Middlebury College, is prohibited during regular-season games. However, if a Vermont college team qualifies for a major national tournament such as the NCAA Tournament (March Madness), wagers are permitted, even if the tournament games are held within state lines. Prop bets on individual college athletes are also prohibited statewide.

Vermont Sports Betting Law: Key Rules at a Glance

  • Mobile Betting: ✅ Legal (Launched January 11, 2024).
  • Retail Betting: ❌ Illegal. No physical sportsbooks are permitted under H.127.
  • Minimum Age: 21+ required to place legal sports wagers online in Vermont.
  • Revenue Share: Operators pay a bid-based revenue share to the state; DraftKings and Fanatics each pay 31%, while FanDuel pays 33%, averaging approximately 31–33% of adjusted gross revenue.
  • College Restrictions: No betting on Vermont college teams (UVM, Middlebury, etc.) during regular-season games. Wagering is permitted only when those teams participate in out-of-state or national tournaments.
  • Credit Card Ban: Credit cards cannot be used to fund online sports betting accounts.
  • Self-Exclusion: Available statewide through the DLL for all licensed sportsbook platforms.
  • Geolocation: All bets must be placed from within Vermont's state borders, enforced via geofencing technology.
  • Political and Entertainment Wagering: Prohibited. Vermont regulators ban wagering on political events and entertainment awards.

Vermont Sportsbook Apps

Sportsbook AppPartner/PlatformLaunch DateStandout Feature
DraftKingsSBTechJanuary 2024Best for market depth and betting variety
FanDuelFlutter EntertainmentJanuary 2024Best app speed and Same Game Parlays
Fanatics SportsbookAmelcoJanuary 2024FanCash loyalty rewards are redeemable for merchandise

Best Vermont Sportsbook Apps for Vermont Bettors

FanDuel: Best For Speed and Reliability.

In a mobile-only state, app performance is everything. FanDuel, operated by Flutter Entertainment, one of the world's largest online betting companies, offers the smoothest interface, the fastest withdrawals, and the most intuitive Same Game Parlay builder. It is the market leader in Vermont for a reason: its app performs equally well on iOS and Android, and its odds are consistently among the most competitive available. Vermont bettors looking to wager on NFL games, NBA matchups, or New England Patriots contests will find FanDuel's interface hard to beat.

DraftKings: Best For Variety and Market Depth.

DraftKings offers the widest range of betting markets among Vermont's licensed sportsbooks, including obscure international sports that FanDuel often misses. Their "Dynasty Rewards" loyalty program allows you to earn crowns redeemable for merchandise or contest entries. DraftKings is also the go-to platform for Vermont bettors who want to wager on Boston Red Sox or Boston Bruins games with deep prop markets and live in-game betting options. The platform's catalog covers more than 70 sports, making it the clear choice for bettors who want maximum variety within Vermont's regulated market.

Fanatics Sportsbook: Best For Loyalty Rewards.

Fanatics has disrupted the market with its "FanCash" system. Every bet you place earns you a percentage back, on straight bets and up to 10% on parlays, which can be redeemed for bonus bets or used to buy jerseys, hats, and other merchandise from the Fanatics retail store. It is the best loyalty program for casual fans who want their betting activity to translate into real-world sports merchandise. Fanatics also features BetVision, a live sports betting product that enables customers to place bets while live-streaming select professional football games.

What's Legal in Vermont?

Complete Gambling Status Summary

ProductLegal StatusTop Choice
Sports Betting✅ Legal (Up to 6 licensed apps; 3 currently active)FanDuel
Retail Sports Betting❌ IllegalN/A
Sweepstakes Casinos✅ Legal (Statewide, under sweepstakes model)Stake.us
Prediction Markets⚠️ ContestedKalshi
Daily Fantasy Sports✅ Legal (Statewide, 21+ as of H.127)PrizePicks
Online Poker❌ IllegalN/A

Daily Fantasy Sports in Vermont: Legal Since 2017

Vermont legalized Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in 2017, making it one of the earlier states to formally regulate the industry and establish a clear legal framework for skill-based fantasy contests. DFS platforms are classified as games of skill under Vermont law, which distinguishes them from traditional gambling products. This legal clarity has allowed major operators like DraftKings and FanDuel to offer their fantasy contests in Vermont for years before sports betting was ever authorized.

It is worth noting that H.127 raised the minimum age for DFS participation from 18 to 21, aligning it with the age requirement for online sports betting. Vermont regulators have generally allowed newer "Pick'em" style apps like PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy to operate in the state, provided they adhere to consumer protection standards. However, the legal status of Pick'em products is an evolving area nationally, and Vermont bettors should verify current availability directly with each operator.

Vermont's DFS market is particularly popular during NFL season, when platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel see significant activity from Vermont residents building salary-cap lineups around New England Patriots games, Boston Red Sox matchups, and other major professional sports events. The UVM Catamounts and other Vermont college teams are popular subjects for DFS contests as well, though the same tournament-only restrictions that apply to sports betting do not necessarily apply to all DFS formats.

Sweepstakes Casinos in Vermont: The Legal Casino Alternative

Despite Vermont's strict approach to regulated gambling, sweepstakes casinos are fully legal and widely accessible throughout the state. Sweepstakes platforms operate under a promotional sweepstakes model, distinct from traditional online casino gambling, in which players can participate without making a purchase, satisfying the "no purchase necessary" requirement that is a cornerstone of sweepstakes law in the United States. Vermont's legal framework is generally understood to permit sweepstakes promotions that include a free method of entry, which means players can legally access slots, table games, and live dealer experiences through these platforms using "Sweeps Coins" governed by sweepstakes rules rather than gambling statutes. (Note: The specific Vermont statute governing sweepstakes promotions has not been independently verified in this context; readers should consult a legal professional for jurisdiction-specific advice.)

The practical result is that Vermont residents have access to a surprisingly robust library of online casino-style content through sweepstakes platforms, from video slots and blackjack to live dealer roulette and online poker, all without violating state law. These platforms are free to use at a basic level, with optional purchases of virtual currency available for those who want to accelerate their play. Winnings in Sweeps Coins can typically be redeemed for real prizes, including cash, gift cards, or other rewards, depending on the platform.

Recommended Sweepstakes Casinos in Vermont

BrandGame TypeParent Company
Stake.usLive Dealer / CryptoStake Group
Chumba CasinoProprietary SlotsVGW
Wow VegasVegas-Style SlotsWoW Entertainment
McLuckJackpotsB2Services
PulszSlotsYellow Social
High 5 CasinoMobile App SlotsHigh 5 Games
LuckyLand SlotsAndroid SlotsVGW
Global PokerPokerVGW
Zula CasinoFish GamesSCPS Unlimited

Vermont Sports Betting in 2026: Know the Rules, Play Smart

Vermont online sports betting is legal, live, and tightly regulated, and that is not a bad thing. The state's mobile-only model, enforced by the Department of Liquor and Lottery, has created one of the cleanest regulated sports wagering environments in New England. Three licensed sportsbooks, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics, give Vermont bettors access to competitive odds, deep markets, and robust consumer protections that offshore and unregulated platforms simply cannot match. The law permits up to six licensed operators, so the market has room to grow, even if expansion is not imminent.

Beyond sports betting, Vermont's legal online gambling landscape is narrow but navigable. Daily Fantasy Sports have been legal since 2017, sweepstakes casinos provide a legitimate casino-style alternative, and the state's responsible gambling infrastructure, including self-exclusion programs, deposit limits, and the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, gives bettors the tools to stay in control. What Vermont does not offer, online casinos, retail sportsbooks, or prediction market apps, is equally important to understand before you open your wallet.

The bottom line for Vermont sports bettors in 2026: stick to the three licensed apps, understand the college betting restrictions, and use the responsible gambling tools available to you. If you want casino-style action, sweepstakes platforms are your legal pathway. If you want to bet on the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, or Boston Red Sox with real money, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics are your only legal options, and frankly, they are good ones.

At Bodog, we do not guess, we verify. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of gambling, entertainment, and consumer advocacy, Bodog is the resource Vermont bettors trust for unfiltered, evidence-based guidance on Vermont online gambling laws, licensed sportsbook reviews, and the legal alternatives that actually deliver. The rules are clear. The choices are yours. Make them with your eyes open.

Vermont Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Vermont?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Vermont. Governor Phil Scott signed H.127 (Act 63) into law on June 14, 2023, and legal online sports betting officially launched on January 11, 2024. Vermont is a mobile-only market; there are no retail sportsbooks. Bettors must be 21 or older and physically located within Vermont to place a legal wager.

Which sportsbook apps are legal in Vermont?

Three licensed sportsbook apps are currently available in Vermont: DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook. All three launched simultaneously on January 11, 2024, and were selected through a competitive bidding process run by the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery (DLL). Vermont's law permits up to six licensed operators, but no additional licenses have been issued as of 2026.

What is the minimum age to bet on sports in Vermont?

You must be at least 21 years old to place a legal sports bet in Vermont. This applies to all three licensed sportsbook apps. The same 21+ age requirement applies to Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) participation, a change introduced by H.127 that raised the DFS age from the previous minimum of 18.

Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Vermont?

Yes. Sweepstakes casinos operate under a promotional sweepstakes model, distinct from traditional online casino gambling, and are generally considered legal in Vermont. These platforms offer a free method of entry ("no purchase necessary"), which is a key legal distinction from regulated gambling.

What responsible gambling tools are available to Vermont bettors?

Vermont has a robust responsible gambling framework for licensed sports betting. Bettors can self-exclude from all licensed sportsbooks through the DLL website for periods of one year, three years, five years, or a lifetime. All licensed operators are required to offer deposit limits and other account controls. The state also operates a 24/7 problem gambling helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) and launched VtGamblingHelp.org in June 2024 as a dedicated support resource for Vermont residents.

James Guill

James Guill
Writer

James Guill is an experienced iGaming journalist with a diverse background spanning IT, poker, and online gambling media. With over 20 years in the industry, he’s covered a wide range of gaming topics and has been featured in outlets like USA Today and G4 TV.

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