Two States Introduce Bills to Repeal Online Sports Betting

• Rep. Thomas Stevens filed Vermont sports betting bill H 133 which would repeal the statutes for sports wagering and the state’s lottery.
• In Maryland, Senator Joanne C. Benson filed measure SB 1033 which repeal online sports wagering beginning January 1, 2026.
• While both states have filed these measures, no action has been taken and any advancement is unlikely due to the revenue it creates.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Two states with legal sports betting are making waves by introducing legislation aimed at repealing their existing online sports betting laws. Vermont and Maryland have both filed bills seeking to eliminate online wagering, but the likelihood of either measure advancing remains slim.

While these proposals have been sent to committees, no action has been taken and LegalSportsBetting.com believes they are unlikely to gain traction.

The Vermont Proposal

In Vermont, Representatives Stevens of Waterbury, Headrick of Burlington, and Mrowicki of Putney introduced a bill that would repeal both the State Lottery and sports wagering. The measure seeks to remove all legal authorizations for Vermont sports betting and subject any form of lottery or sports wagering to the state’s criminal gambling laws.

Vermont only recently legalized online sports betting (January 2024), with the state benefiting nearly $10 million since. A repeal of sports wagering would lead to a significant loss of revenue, as the state taxes betting operators at over 30% of their revenue.

Signaling this measure may be more of a symbolic gesture than a viable legislative push, it has remained in the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs since early February.

Maryland’s Attempt to Roll Back Sports Betting

Maryland’s bill, Senate Bill 1033, takes a similar approach, calling for the repeal of legal sports wagering.

While specifics on the motivation behind the bill remain unclear, some speculate that concerns over gambling addiction, regulatory issues, and potential political shifts could be at play.

However, given that voters approved Maryland sports betting through a 2020 referendum, the prospect of a full repeal seems unlikely. For example, just in this NFL betting season alone, Maryland received over $50 million in tax benefits from local sportsbooks.

The Financial Reality of Repealing Online Sports Betting

If Vermont and Maryland were to repeal online sports betting, they would face a steep financial downside. Online wagering has become a major revenue source for states, with over 95% of sports betting action happening online in states that have it. This sports betting revenue helps to fund education, infrastructure, and other public services.

However, in states that don’t have online sports betting, the markets haven’t been so luxurious. Take the crumbling Mississippi sports betting market, which has seen a sharp decrease in sports betting without online options.

Mississippi Sports Betting Revenue By The Years

A full repeal is highly improbable and for now, legal online sportsbooks in Vermont and Maryland remain intact. Serving more as a political statement than a genuine threat to the industry, bettors in both states should not worry about these bills.

News tags: House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs | Maryland | MD SB 1033 | Mississippi | Vermont | VT H 133