Vermont sportsbooks

In this piece, we’ll provide an overview of everything you’ll want to know about Vermont sportsbooks – from what operators are expected to be available, to how to sign up, what bonuses you can expect, and more. Let’s get started!

By: Dan Bradley

Fact checked by: Gary Garry

Table of contents

Best Vermont sportsbooks
Are online sportsbooks legal in VT?
How do I sign up for VT online sportsbooks?
Types of wagers on online sportsbook sites in VT
Leading sports leagues to bet on using Vermont bookies
What are some types of bonuses offered at bookies in Vermont?
Advice when betting on sportsbook sites in VT
Criteria we will use to rank online sportsbooks in VT
Payment methods that will be available at bookies in Vermont
Is online betting the only option available in VT?
FAQ

Online sports betting is coming to Vermont. After Gov. Phil Scott signed Bill H.127 in June 2023, Vermont became the 38th state to legalize sports betting, though it will do so in an online-only capacity.

Best Vermont sportsbooks

Sportsbooks will need to apply for licensure with the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery before they can be approved to launch their online platforms in the state.

Below is our anticipation of the best Vermont sportsbooks to set up shop in the state once sports betting goes live.

🏦 DraftKings Sportsbook Vermont	⭐ Frequent bonuses and player rewards
🏦 FanDuel Sportsbook Vermont	⭐ Pioneer of same-game parlays
🏦 BetRivers Sportsbook Vermont	⭐ Simple layout and beginner-friendly
🏦 Fanatics Sportsbook Vermont	⭐ Blazing fast mobile app
🏦 ESPN Bet Sportsbook Vermont	⭐ Exclusive content from ESPN personalities
🏦 BetMGM Sportsbook Vermont	⭐ Top-tier rewards program

DraftKings Sportsbook Vermont

DraftKings Sportsbook evolved out of its days as a daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator and is now the most widely available betting operator in the United States. Its online and/or retail platforms are legal in 23 states.

With frequent bonus offers and tons of live-betting markets, DraftKings would be an excellent choice for new bettors.

FanDuel Sportsbook Vermont

FanDuel was the first sportsbook in the U.S. to offer same-game parlays (SGPs), combining multiple betting outcomes from a given matchup into a single wager for a shot at a higher payout.

You can choose from a number of SGPs that are pre-prepared or create your own. Its Vermont sports betting app is the highest-rated sportsbook app for both iOS and Android users, so you can’t go wrong with FanDuel.

BetRivers Sportsbook Vermont

Founded at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, BetRivers Sportsbook has expanded to 14 states and counting.

BetRivers has a layout for both its website and mobile app that is very basic but easy to learn and navigate. With 20 sports to choose from, there are plenty of options for hardcore and casual bettors alike.

Fanatics Sportsbook Vermont

In an effort to become the “Amazon” of the sports universe, Fanatics has begun its foray into the world of gambling after purchasing all of PointsBet’s U.S. operations.

Fanatics Sportsbook launched in August 2023 and is converting the PointsBet platforms through May 2024. For that reason, there’s a good chance Fanatics will delay its Vermont arrival, but it will likely pursue licensure in the state soon to be ready for launch after the changeover.

ESPN Bet Sportsbook Vermont

Like Fanatics, ESPN Bet is undergoing a changeover of its own. ESPN Bet is replacing Barstool Sportsbook as the face of PENN Entertainment’s gambling site.

The sportsbook will feature exclusive content on its platforms from ESPN’s on-air personalities such as betting shows, matchup insights, gambling market trends, and more.

BetMGM Sportsbook Vermont

BetMGM features one of the top rewards programs in the industry, with players earning reward and tier credits with each wager placed.

As you move up in tiers, you’ll unlock lucrative rewards, ranging from bonus bets and promo offers at the lower levels to event tickets, hotel stays, room upgrades, air travel to Las Vegas to stay and play at the casino, and much more.

Are online sportsbooks legal in VT?

Yes, online sportsbooks are legal in VT; however, online sports betting in Vermont hasn’t yet launched.

Sportsbook operators need to apply for and be granted licenses by the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery, with the application window opening in August 2023 and the review process beginning the following month. The state is targeting a January 2024 launch.

Signing up for online sportsbooks in VT will have a slightly different process for each gambling operator, but there are a few steps that will be consistent regardless of where you play.

Here are some of the key points you’ll need to be ready for.

Check for a promo code: One of the best ways to make the most of your signup experience is to use a Vermont betting promo code when registering. Promo codes won’t always be available, and some sites will grant you the bonus without the use of a promo code at all. VTBetting.com will keep track of what codes are available and list them on our site as launch day moves closer.
Enter your account information: Next, you’ll need to provide an email address and password for your account. You may also be asked to include your phone number to allow for two-factor authentication. Additionally, you could be prompted to create and answer a security question or two as an extra level of protection.
Input your identifying information: After that, you’ll need to enter your legal name, address, and birthdate as they appear on your driver’s license or other government-issued ID. You’ll also need to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. This information will be encrypted during transmission and stored securely at all times to comply with Vermont’s cybersecurity standards and protocols.
Confirm your responses and agree to the terms: The penultimate step is to agree to the terms and conditions of service and to confirm the information you submitted is accurate. You may also be asked to verify that your profession doesn’t prohibit you from betting on sports.
Make a real-money deposit: Some welcome promos will require you to place your first wager at the sportsbook before accessing the Vermont betting bonus while others may match your deposit in bet credits. Either way, you’ll need to make a real-money deposit with the payment method of your choice before you can begin placing bets.

Types of wagers on online sportsbook sites in VT

You’ll be able to find many types of wagers on online sportsbook sites in VT, but the different names can be confusing to newer players. Fear not! We’ll clarify some of the different types here so you can be ready to go.

Same game parlays: Parlay betting involves combining multiple outcomes or “legs” into a single wager. Same-game parlays (SGPs) ramp these up by allowing those legs to come from within one matchup. An example would be a wager on the strikeout total of Team A’s starting pitcher, the total bases for Team B’s shortstop, and a given player to hit a home run.
Middle bets: Middle bets are a strategy for betting on the spread (or margin of victory) that involves placing wagers on either side of the spread as it moves. For example, If you bet on the New England Patriots at -4.5 then the line moves up to Patriots -5.5, you could place a bet on the Patriots’ opponent at +5.5 to guarantee at least one of those bets wins. In the event New England wins by exactly five points, both bets would cash.
Live bets: Also called “in-play betting,” live bets are wagers placed after a sporting event has begun. When live betting, odds are constantly changing based on the events that unfold during the game. Successful live betting takes a keen understanding of game trends and the ability to make a quick decision to pounce on a favorable line.
Specials: Sometimes called “exotics,” special bets are deviations from wagers on the moneyline or spread. They can include bets like the timing of a first goal, which team will score first, the outcome of a football team’s first drive, and more. The key difference is that these aren’t the type of bets you would normally find for a sporting event, such as a moneyline, spread, or total bet. Oftentimes, the bigger the event, the more specials you’ll find.

Leading sports leagues to bet on using Vermont bookies

Sportsbooks will vary in the number of sports they offer. All U.S.-based operators will cover the “Big Four” North American leagues, and you can often find more obscure events and leagues than you ever imagined. Still, we expect the following leagues to be the leading sports leagues to bet on using Vermont bookies.

NFL: The NFL is hands-down the most popular league to bet on across the United States, and we anticipate Vermont will follow that trend even without an NFL team that calls the Green Mountain State home.
NBA: After the NFL, the NBA sees the highest sports betting handle nationally, though it is a distant second place. Whether your allegiance lies with the Celtics, Knicks, Nets, or a team from outside the region, sportsbooks will carry plenty of NBA markets, especially for same-game parlays.
MLB: The MLB’s 162-game regular season schedule allows for betting opportunities nearly every day from April through October. By virtue of the number of games, MLB betting sees billions of dollars in betting action annually.
College Sports: College sports betting is legal in Vermont. However, you are unable to place a wager on any in-state teams unless you’re betting on their performance in a tournament. Single-game event betting is prohibited under state law.

What are some types of bonuses offered at bookies in Vermont?

Bonuses are the top way sportsbooks encourage new betting signups and active customers to keep using their platforms.

Here are some of the most common types of Vermont sportsbook bonuses you’ll find offered.

Odds boosts: Odds boosts are minor changes in the betting lines that can lead to massive payouts. Most of the time, these bonuses add anywhere from +25 to +100 for a given line, though in some cases, we’ve seen these lines add as much as +250 or more to a wager.
Bonus bets: Bonus bets are bet credits that are disbursed in a predetermined increment, usually $10, $25, or $50, though they can be valued at any amount determined by the sportsbook. When you win a wager made with a bonus bet, only the profit will be included in your payout calculation. However, this also means you can place wagers without having to use funds from your bankroll.
Second chance bets: Losing your first bet on a sportsbook is always a bummer, but many sites will offer a second chance bet, awarding you credit in the amount of your first wager to use within a set time period (usually seven days) to turn the loss into a potential win.
Daily profit boosts: Some sportsbooks may offer daily profit boosts, tacking on a nominal percentage to all winning wagers for that day to increase payouts. Usually, these are capped at $100, but even if that’s a small amount relative to your wagers, isn’t extra money a good thing?

Advice when betting on sportsbook sites in VT

There are a few tips you should keep in mind before ever placing a sports wager that will set you up for success. Here’s some of our best advice when betting on sportsbook sites in VT.

Bet with your head, not your heart: It can be fun to place wagers on your favorite teams to win, but your allegiance to a team shouldn’t be the only reason you think they’ll win. If you always bet solely on your team, you’ll come out behind far more often than you’ll come out ahead, regardless of the team.
Gather as much information as you can: The best bet you can make is a well-informed bet. By studying team and player trends, weather conditions, injury reports, betting histories, and line action, you can make a smarter bet that is more likely to win than a bet on a whim. Knowledge is power, and if you choose to give that power away by not doing your homework, you’re often headed for a losing outcome.
Shop the lines: There is no rule or law that requires you to only use one sportsbook for placing your wagers. When finding a bet you want to play, see which sportsbook gives you the best odds so that you can gain a higher payout for the same wager. For example, if you were betting on the New England Patriots moneyline, a $100 bet with Sportsbook A at +120 odds would win you $120 (plus your stake returned for a $220 payout), but that same wager at Sportsbook B with +140 odds would win you $140 (with a $240 payout). These small differences can lead to significant profit gains over time.
Avoid betting under extreme emotion: Whether positive or negative, you don’t want to place a wager when you’re on the extreme end of the emotional spectrum. Letting cooler heads prevail will keep you from betting more than you can afford to lose and prevent you from chasing losses out of frustration and anger.

Criteria we will use to rank online sportsbooks in VT

Once online sports betting launches in the state, VTBetting.com will review and rank all legal, licensed sportsbooks that plan to operate in the state so you can browse them and decide on the right platforms for you. Here are the criteria we will use to rank online sportsbooks in VT.

Bonuses: When scoring the bonuses, we will take into account the frequency and variety of promotional offerings, as well as the quality of the bonus and the amount of a potential return to the player.
User Interface: Speed and reliability are always important factors, but we also consider the navigability of the site or app, the aesthetic appeal, and the ratings and reviews from users (especially when sportsbooks have a state-specific platform).
Variety: For variety, we’ll take a look at what types of games and markets are offered on the site as well as the number of options available for each game type and the number of sports and leagues on the platform.
Customer Support: Finally, for customer support, we’ll discuss what support communications channels are available, the ease of finding info in the FAQ pages, and our experiences when testing the communication methods through each platform for speed, professionalism, and issue resolution.

Payment methods that will be available at bookies in Vermont

Deposit

Play+ Card: Play+ cards are somewhat of a hybrid between a gift card and an ATM card. With only a select and user-approved number of places where the card can be used to fund a transaction, your money will be secure in the account at all times. You can also load your winnings onto the card for ATM withdrawals.
Online banking: You may be a bit hesitant to link your bank account to your sportsbook, but rest assured that no operator will ever be able to take money out of your account without your authorization. Additionally, sportsbooks must comply with strict cybersecurity standards to protect your personal and financial information. Online banking with sportsbooks is safe, quick, and secure for transactions of all types.
E-wallets: E-wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, and Skrill aren’t particularly common at sportsbooks and e-gaming platforms but betting operators are coming around on these types of services.

Withdrawal

Debit cards: Credit and debit cards are almost universally accepted deposit methods, and some sportsbooks will allow you to withdraw your winnings directly to a debit card as well. Visa and Mastercard are always accepted on sites that take cards, but there are a few operators who won’t accept other cards like Discover or AMEX. When in doubt, check our sportsbook reviews to see what is and isn’t acceptable.
PayPal: While PayPal is technically an e-wallet, it is far more commonly accepted than the other e-wallets listed above. This is likely due to PayPal’s track record as a reputable online payment portal. It is often one of the quickest ways to withdraw your winnings.
Check: When time isn’t as important, or if you simply want the joy of receiving a paper check in the mail, many sportsbooks will still send you winnings the old-fashioned way. Keep in mind that these checks will be sent through USPS, so they can take anywhere from 3 to 15 days to arrive.

Is online betting the only option available in VT?

Yes, online betting is the only option available in VT. When the state crafted its sports betting legislation and passed H.127, the bill did not include a provision for establishing retail betting locations.

This may be due in part to Vermont’s lack of professional sports teams that would be eligible for betting markets; without the same backing of a team in a “Big Four” sports league and with no land-based casinos in the state, in-person locations didn’t make sense.

You may be wondering about offshore sportsbooks, but these are highly inadvisable and can often be dangerous.

Because they operate outside the bounds of any state or federal jurisdiction, they do not have to provide the same protections or be held to the same industry standards as bookmakers that go through a legit licensing process.

You also have no chance to file any grievances if they do not release your winnings or if your information is compromised. Only place bets with legal, licensed operators.

FAQ

When will sportsbooks in Vermont launch?

Vermont sportsbooks are expected to launch in January 2024. An exact date hasn’t yet been announced, and it will depend on the licensure review process as decided by the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery. We will update this page with a firm date when it becomes available.

Which sportsbook sites will most likely come to VT?

Many of the top sportsbook sites are likely to come to VT, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, BetRivers, and Fanatics. The list of sportsbooks that have applied for a Vermont license hasn’t become available to the public yet, but we will list all the operators who gain licensure on this site in the coming months.

Are online bookies in Vermont safe?

Once sports betting launches in Vermont, online bookies will be safe. As part of the gambling operator licensure process, bookies must prove to the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery that they are capable of handling and storing gamblers’ personal and banking information in a safe, secure manner.

Why will bookmakers in VT probably offer promos?

Bookmakers in VT will probably offer promos early and often to prompt new customers to register with the site and to reward returning customers for continuing to bet on the sites. VTBetting.com will list all active and ongoing bonuses on this site.

Why are online sportsbook sites in Vermont not live yet?

Online sportsbook sites in Vermont are not live yet because they are still undergoing a review process to obtain a license to operate in the state. The Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery is targeting a January 2024 launch of online sports betting operations in the state.

Author Details

Dan Bradley

Dan Bradley is a sports betting analyst at VT Betting. With numerous years under his belt producing sports betting content, Dan also boasts a background in junior hockey. Outside of writing, he passionately follows the NHL.