It was recently announced that Republican Gov. Phil Scott officially signed into law H.127 bill, making Vermont another US state to legalize online sports wagering. In addition, half of the US states have already legalized online sports wagering.
A big supporter of the H.127 bill:
One of the main supporters of the aforementioned legislation was Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who signed the bill into law as mentioned above, after many delays in the Democratic-controlled Legislature that lasted for years. However, the bill became law only after many hours of legislative study and debate.
In this regard, in a written statement Wednesday afternoon, Scott said: “I first proposed Vermont legalize sports betting several years ago and I’m happy the Legislature has come to an agreement, as well. We know many Vermonters already participate in the marketplace and bringing it above board provides important resources and consumer protections.”
6 major operators will offer mobile sports wagering in Vermont:
Under the new law, the big 6 operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel will be permitted to offer mobile sports wagering platforms in Vermont. However, they will be overseen by the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery, and the program is projected to go into effect in January 2024.
And that’s not all; as they will have to provide the state with a responsible gaming plan that involves information on publishing problem gambling related materials, such as resources that will be available to bettors who are concerned about problem gambling, house-imposed player limits and self-exclusion programs.
Supporters and opponents of the bill:
Legalization advocates claimed that in the digital age, Vermonters are already gambling illegally in online circles, a kind of black market of sorts that leaves them exposed to exploitation and scams. Furthermore, they also claimed that “as long as Vermonters participated in fraudulent online marketplaces, the state was missing out on potential revenue that a state-regulated program could provide.”
However, opponents raised the question of whether the state should sanction a contemporary form of gambling that is possibly more addictive than traditional methods and certainly more attractive to young people, as witnesses testified to lawmakers this year. To appease opponents, lawmakers placed in H.127 “a limit on platform’s ability to advertise to Vermonters under 21 year-old who, legally, are barred from sports wagering.” On that note, Commissioner of Liquor and Lottery Wendy Knight told lawmakers that “she is confident in her department’s ability to keep platforms’ advertising strategies in check.”
Additionally, state fiscal analysts do not expect large income from the new program. They calculate that the state would have about $2 million in fiscal year 2024, and ultimately about $10 million a year.
The legal status of online casinos in India is complex and varies by state. While there is no federal law that explicitly addresses online gambling, the legality depends on state regulations and the type of gambling involved.
Key Points:
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No National Law: India does not have a specific national law regulating online casinos. However, the Public Gambling Act of 1867 prohibits operating physical casinos and gambling houses, but it doesn't cover online platforms, leaving a legal grey area for online gambling.
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State-Specific Laws: Some Indian states, like Goa, Sikkim, and Daman, have legalized land-based casinos, and others, such as Sikkim, have also licensed online gambling. Many states have banned gambling altogether, including online gambling.
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Online Sports Betting: Betting on sports, particularly cricket, is very popular in India. However, it's only explicitly legal in some states like Sikkim and Nagaland, which have laws permitting online gaming and betting.
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Legal Gray Area: Many international online casinos accept Indian players and operate legally under licenses from offshore jurisdictions (like Curacao or the UK Gambling Commission). As long as players are gambling on licensed platforms, the risk is minimal, but local authorities may still choose to regulate or restrict online gambling.
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Cryptocurrency: Some Indian players prefer using cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin) for online gambling, as it provides a layer of anonymity and security.
While online casinos aren't explicitly legal across all of India, many international casinos accept Indian players, and online gambling continues to grow in popularity. Players should ensure they use licensed platforms and understand local laws before engaging in online gaming.
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