Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Department of Liquor and Lottery Commissioner Wendy Knight have announced that legal online sports betting will launch in the Green Mountain State on January 11th.

Players in Vermont will be able to download apps from licensed operators and place legal bets online starting this date. Consumers will soon be able to pre-register with operators ahead of launch next month.

The launch became possible after Scott signed House Bill 127 in June of this year. The bill allows up to six online sports betting operators to operate in Vermont.

Through a competitive bidding process, the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery selected DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics Sportsbook to operate mobile sports betting platforms in the state.

Operators pay taxes equal to 20% of adjusted gross sports betting revenue. It is hoped that betting will generate $7.0 million in additional revenue for Vermont in the first year of legalization.

The bill also provides more resources to improve responsible gaming services in Vermont. Players must be at least 21 years old to place legal bets.

Scott, a long-time supporter of legal sports betting, welcomed the launch date. He said: “I first suggested that Vermont legalize sports betting several years ago. It’s nice to see it come to fruition.

“Vermont residents and visitors will soon have access to a regulated sports betting marketplace that provides important consumer protections and generates revenue for the state.”

Commissioner Knight added, “We are excited to offer sports enthusiasts the opportunity to participate in sports betting in Vermont with three of the industry’s top companies.”