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Vermont ranks as the second-smallest state in terms of population, with approximately 625,000 residents. As Virginia recently passed legislation allowing casinos, it\u2019s also one of nine states remaining that do not have commercial or tribal casinos, or laws in place permitting them. Currently, the only legal forms of gaming available are charitable gaming and the state lottery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Damien Leonard, an attorney with the Vermont Office of Legislative Council, told the committee Wednesday that the review panel would likely consider three ways the state could offer sports betting. Those options include allowing online gaming, allowing kiosks in bars or other merchants, and allowing the state lottery to operate it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no sort of common model at this point. Every state has its own twist,\u201d he said, adding that 22 states and Washington, DC have passed sports betting laws.<\/p>\n
Not So Fast, House Leader Says<\/h2>\n
While it seems highly certain the Senate will pass the bill, its chances in the House aren\u2019t nearly that certain.<\/p>\n
Online news site VTDigger<\/a><\/em> reported Friday that the chairman of the House Committee that would receive the panel\u2019s report isn\u2019t keen on sports betting. State Rep. Tom Stevens (D-Waterbury) said he wouldn\u2019t say no just yet, but he also isn\u2019t sure there\u2019s a need for expediency either.<\/p>\n\u201cI don\u2019t know if this is the right time for it. At a time when many Vermonters are losing their jobs or just on the edge, precariously financed. And when sports aren\u2019t being played, I\u2019m not sure this is something we need to consider too quickly,\u201d<\/strong> he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When the Vermont state Senate convenes on Tuesday, it may give a final vote on a bill that would create a committee to examine how the Green Mountain State could legalize sports betting. Senate Bill 59 received unanimous support after its second reading in the Senate during its virtual session Friday. The bill is now […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":138612,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,1074],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Vermont Senate Bill Creates Panel to Examine Sports Betting Options<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n