The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 31: Recreation and Sports

Chapter 025: Sports Wagering

• Subchapter 001: AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT

• § 1301. Definitions

  As used in this chapter:

  (1) “Adjusted gross sports wagering revenue” means gross sports wagering receipts, excluding voided bets, less winnings paid to authorized participants and any federal excise tax.

  (2) “Board” means the Board of Liquor and Lottery.

  (3) “Collegiate sports event” means a sports or athletic event participated in or offered or sponsored by a public or private institution that offers educational services beyond the secondary level.

  (4) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Liquor and Lottery or designee.

  (5) “Department” means the Department of Liquor and Lottery.

  (6) “High school sports event” means a sports or athletic event participated in or offered or sponsored by a public or private institution that offers educational services at the secondary level.

  (7) “Mobile sports wagering platform” means the combination of hardware, software, and data networks that are used to manage, administer, record, or control sports wagers through mobile devices or the internet.

  (8) “Operator” means a party who is authorized by contract or agreement with the Department to conduct a sportsbook.

  (9) “Prohibited sports bettor” means:

  (A) any member or employee of the Department and any spouse, child, sibling, or parent residing in the same household as a member or employee of the Department;

  (B) any principal or employee of any operator;

  (C) any contractor of the Department or its operators when the contract relates to the conduct of sports wagering;

  (D) any contractor or employee of an entity that conducts sports wagering in another jurisdiction when the bettor, as a result of the bettor’s contract or employment, possesses confidential or nonpublic information relating to the wager being placed;

  (E) any amateur or professional athlete if the sports wager is based in whole or part on a sport or athletic event overseen by the athlete’s governing sports body;

  (F) any sports agent, owner, or employee of a team; player; umpire; referee; coach; union official; or official of a sport’s governing body if the sports wager is based in whole or in part on a sport or athletic event overseen by the governing body that oversees the individual’s sport;

  (G) any individual placing a wager as an agent of or proxy for a prohibited sports bettor; or

  (H) any person under 21 years of age.

  (10)(A) “Prohibited sports event” means any:

  (i) collegiate sports event in which one of the participants is a collegiate team of a college institution that is primarily located in Vermont, unless the collegiate sports event is subject to the provisions of subdivision (B) of this subdivision (10);

  (ii) high school or collegiate sports event that takes place in Vermont; and

  (iii) amateur or professional sports event where the participants are primarily under 18 years of age.

  (B) “Prohibited sports event” does not mean the games of a collegiate sports tournament in which a Vermont college team participates, nor does it include any games of a collegiate sports tournament that occur outside Vermont even though some of the individual games or events are held in Vermont.

  (11) “Sportsbook” means the business of accepting sports wagers on any sports event by any system or method of wagering.

  (12) “Sports event” means an event at which two or more persons participate in a sports or athletic event. “Sports event” also means horse racing and equestrian events.

  (13) “Sports governing body” means the organization that prescribes final rules and enforces codes of conduct with respect to a sporting event and the participants in a sporting event.

  (14) “Sports wager” means cash or cash equivalent paid by an individual to participate in sports wagering.

  (15)(A) “Sports wagering” means wagering on:

  (i) sporting events or any portion of a sporting event; or

  (ii) the individual performance statistics of athletes participating in a sports event or a combination of sports events.

  (B) “Sports wagering” means wagering on the matters enumerated in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (15) by any system or method of wagering, including in-person communication and electronic communication through internet websites accessed via a mobile device or computer and mobile device applications.

  (C) “Sports wagering” includes single game bets, teaser bets, parlays, over-under bets, money line bets, pools, exchange wagering, in-game wagering, in-play bets, proposition bets, and straight bets.

  (D) “Sports wagering” does not mean participation in a fantasy sports contest pursuant to subchapter 3 of this chapter.

  (16) “Type of wager” means the form of a wager offered by an operator, such as those described in subdivision (15)(C) of this section. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1302. Department of Liquor and Lottery; authority and duties

  (a) The Department is authorized to operate sports wagering within the State.

  (b)(1) The Commissioner shall negotiate and contract to authorize a minimum of two but not more than six operators to operate a sportsbook in Vermont through a mobile sports wagering platform.

  (2) This subsection shall not be construed to require the Department to authorize unqualified applicants to conduct a sportsbook. If the competitive bidding process fails to produce a sufficient number of qualified applicants, the Department may:

  (A) decline to authorize any operators to operate a sportsbook; or

  (B) authorize a single operator to conduct a sportsbook.

  (c) The Department, either independently or through its operator, shall provide:

  (1) Age verification measures to be undertaken to block access to and prevent sports wagers by persons under 21 years of age.

  (2) Identity verification through secure online databases or by examination of a person’s photo identification and the review of a supplemental, contemporaneous photograph of the person.

  (3) That mobile sports wagers must be initiated and received within the State of Vermont and may not be intentionally routed outside the State. The incidental intermediate routing of a mobile sports wager shall not determine the location or locations in which the wager is initiated, received, or otherwise made.

  (4) Wager limits for daily, weekly, and monthly amounts consistent with the best practices in addressing problem gambling.

  (5) A statewide voluntary self-exclusion program for players to exclude themselves from wagering for a set period of time. The Department shall establish a uniform self-exclusion program that ensures a listed player is excluded from placing wagers with any of the State’s authorized sports wagering operators and fantasy sports contest operators.

  (6) Security mechanisms to ensure the confidentiality of wagering and personal and financial information except as otherwise authorized by this chapter.

  (7) Measures to ensure that wagers are not placed by a prohibited sports bettor.

  (d) A sports governing body or college may request that the Department restrict, limit, or exclude wagering on a sporting event or series of sporting events. The Department shall review the request and seek input from the Department’s operators. If the Department determines it is appropriate, then the Department may grant the request or part of the request to prohibit unlawful activity, protect the integrity of the event, or protect public confidence in the integrity of the sports event.

  (e) The Department shall have authority to review and approve types of wagers and categories of sports events before an operator is permitted to offer the wager to the public. The Department shall approve types of wagers and categories of sports events in a reasonable time frame. Once a particular category of sports event or type of wager is approved for its first use, it may be used on multiple events without further approval. The Department may issue general approval for operators to offer wagers on enumerated categories of sports events and types of wagers.

  (f) The Department shall only approve wagers on sports events that:

  (1) have verifiable outcomes that can be generated by a reliable and independent processes; and

  (2) are conducted in conformity with applicable laws.

  (g) The Department shall include in its contract with each operator:

  (1) a provision that prohibits the use of sports wagering advertisements, logos, trademarks, or brands on products that are sold in Vermont and intended primarily for persons under 21 years of age; and

  (2) an advertising plan, which shall include strategies to limit unwanted advertising and advertising aimed at persons under 21 years of age. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1303. Procedures

  (a)(1) The Board shall adopt procedures pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 835 to govern the establishment and operation of any sportsbook authorized by this chapter. For each procedure proposed to be adopted or amended pursuant to this section, the Board shall publish the proposal on the Department of Liquor and Lottery’s website, provide notice of the proposal to all operators, provide not less than 30 days for public comment on the proposal, and hold not less than two public hearings at which members of the public may seek additional information or submit oral or written comments on the proposal.

  (2) The Board shall not be required to initiate rulemaking pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 831(c) in relation to a procedure adopted pursuant to this section.

  (3) A procedure adopted pursuant to this section shall have the force of law and be binding on all persons who play or offer sports wagering within the State.

  (b) The Board shall adopt procedures pursuant to this section that govern the following minimum standards for the Department’s operators:

  (1) minimum computer system security, including:

  (A) documented system security testing performed by a licensed third-party contractor approved by the Department;

  (B) unique identification and verification systems for wagers;

  (C) procedures to prevent past posting of wagers;

  (D) minimum data that must be recorded relating to each wager;

  (E) system redundancy to ensure recording of wagers during a system outage; and

  (F) integration with an independent control system to ensure integrity of system wagering information;

  (2) sports wagering system requirements that meet or exceed Gaming Laboratories International’s GLI-33: Standards for Event Wagering Systems, and its appendices, as amended or modified;

  (3) minimum house rules, including:

  (A) the method for calculation and payment of winning wagers;

  (B) the effect of schedule changes for a sports event;

  (C) the method of notifying bettors of odds or proposition changes;

  (D) acceptance of wagers at terms other than those posted;

  (E) circumstances under which the operator will void a bet; and

  (F) treatment of errors, late bets, and related contingencies;

  (4) minimum accounting controls, including:

  (A) processes for recording the collection of wagers, payment of wagers, and cancellation of wagers issued; and

  (B) requirements for an annual audit of accounting controls;

  (5) minimum internal control standards;

  (6) minimum cash reserves to be maintained by each operator; and

  (7) promotional play requirements that:

  (A) require each operator to provide unambiguous notice of the:

  (i) date and time the promotion or bonus is active and expires;

  (ii) rules of play;

  (iii) nature and value of prizes or awards;

  (iv) eligibility restrictions or limitations;

  (v) wagering and redemption requirements, including any limitations;

  (vi) eligible events or wagers;

  (vii) cancellation requirements; and

  (viii) terms and conditions that are full, accurate, concise, transparent, and do not contain misleading information;

  (B) prohibit promotions or bonuses from being described as free or risk-free if those promotions or bonuses require the player to incur any loss or risk the player’s own money to use or withdraw winnings from the free wager;

  (C) prohibit the operator from restricting the player from withdrawing the player’s own funds or withdrawing winnings from wagers placed using the player’s own funds;

  (D) ensure that the promotion or bonus rules shall be available to patrons and the Department; and

  (E) require operators to adopt procedures for the issuance, acceptance, and tracking of promotions or bonuses. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1304. Revenues to Sports Wagering Enterprise Fund

  The revenues and fees received by the Department pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited in the Sports Wagering Enterprise Fund. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1305. Confidentiality of records

  (a) When produced or acquired by the Department pursuant to this chapter, the following records are exempt from public inspection and copying under the Public Records Act and shall be kept confidential:

  (1) personal information and background check documents;

  (2) any lists of names, including information related to voluntary self- exclusion;

  (3) trade secrets, business records, financial records, and related information; and

  (4) records relating to operator security, technology, facilities, or systems.

  (b) The Public Records Act exemptions created in this section shall not be subject to the provisions of 1 V.S.A. § 317(e) (repeal of Public Records Act exemptions). (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1306. Exemption

  The provisions of 13 V.S.A. chapter 51, relating to gambling and lotteries, shall not apply to sports wagering or a fantasy sports contest conducted pursuant to this chapter. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• Subchapter 002: SPORTS WAGERING OPERATORS

• § 1320. Sports wagering operators; competitive bidding process

  (a) The Commissioner shall select operators through a competitive bidding process. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department shall be guided by and prioritize the following when conducting the competitive bidding process, selecting operators, and structuring agreements with the operators:

  (1) maximizing revenues to the State;

  (2) reducing the illegal market and converting wagerers to the legal market; and

  (3) protecting Vermonters from problem gambling.

  (b) The Board shall adopt procedures pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 835 to establish criteria for the selection of operators. At a minimum, the Board’s guidelines shall require an applicant to include the following in the proposal:

  (1) an estimate of the applicant’s potential adjusted gross sports wagering revenue and the percentage of adjusted gross sports wagering revenue from mobile sports wagering the applicant will pay to the State if selected to be an operator;

  (2) the number of individually branded websites the operator proposes to use for its sports wagering operations in Vermont;

  (3) the applicant’s responsible gaming plan and a description of responsible gaming safeguards that the applicant currently employs;

  (4) a list of all jurisdictions where the applicant and any parent companies are currently authorized to conduct sports wagering operations;

  (5) the applicant’s player acquisition model, advertising and affiliate programs, and marketing budget, including details on how the applicant will convert customers from wagering through illegal channels to wagering legally in the State;

  (6) the estimated time frame for implementing the applicant’s sports wagering operations;

  (7) the applicant’s integrity monitoring systems, including any current affiliations related to integrity monitoring; and

  (8) the applicant’s plan for maximizing sustainable, long-term revenue for the State, including a detailed market analysis.

  (c) Each operator selected through the competitive bidding process shall pay an operator fee of $550,000.00. The Commissioner and an operator may negotiate the renewal term upon which the fee will be reassessed. However, the Department shall not require an operator to pay the fee more than once in any three-year period.

  (d) Each operator shall pay to the Department a revenue share that is determined by the Department through the competitive bidding process, provided that the revenue share shall not be less than 20 percent of adjusted gross sports wagering revenue.

  (e) The Board shall adopt procedures governing the review and consideration of criminal background checks as a component of the competitive bidding process. The procedures shall establish standards for determining whether an applicant should not be selected as an operator due to the criminal history of the applicant’s principals or other individuals who control the operator applicant. The Department shall obtain a copy of fingerprint-based Vermont criminal history records, out-of-state criminal history records, and criminal history records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for each operator applicant, principal of an operator applicant, and any individual who controls an operator applicant.

  (f) Notwithstanding subsection (e) of this section, the Department may accept third-party criminal background checks submitted by an operator applicant, principal of an operator applicant, or any individual who controls an operator applicant in lieu of obtaining those records from the Vermont Crime Information Center. The third-party background check shall:

  (1) be conducted by a third-party consumer reporting agency or background screening company that is in compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act; and

  (2) include a multistate and multijurisdiction criminal record locator. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1321. Prohibited activities

  The Department’s operators are prohibited from the following activities:

  (1) accepting or making payment relating to sports wagers made by prohibited sports bettors;

  (2) accepting sports wagers on prohibited sports events; or

  (3) accepting sports wagers from persons who are physically outside the State of Vermont at the time the sports wager is placed. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1322. Maintaining sports integrity

  The Department and its operators may participate in national and international monitoring services and associations and may share betting information with those entities and sports governing bodies in order to ensure the integrity of sports wagers and sports events. The Commissioner may restrict, limit, or exclude wagering on a sports event if the Commissioner determines that the restriction, limitation, or exclusion is necessary to ensure the integrity of the sportsbook. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1323. Access to financial reports

  The Department may require financial and compliance reports from its operators at any time and may conduct audits of these reports to ensure that the State receives the contractual share of revenue. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1324. Compliance oversight

  (a) The Department shall retain oversight of its operators to ensure that all sports wagering activities are conducted in accordance with this chapter, any contractual terms, and any procedures adopted by the Department.

  (b) Any failure to comply with this chapter, contractual terms, or any procedures adopted by the Department may be brought before the Board of Liquor and Lottery. The Board shall have the authority to impose sanctions on an operator for a violation, including monetary penalties, suspension of operator operations within the State, and the termination of all operator operations within the State. The Department may also bring an action in a Vermont court for damages, injunctive relief, or enforcement of monetary penalties related to any contract violation. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1325. Crimes and penalties

  (a) A corporation, association, or partnership that is not permitted to conduct sports wagering pursuant to this chapter that operates, conducts, or exposes sports wagering for play or accepts a bet or wager associated with sports wagering shall:

  (1) for a first violation of this subsection, be fined not more than $50,000.00 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both;

  (2) for a second violation of this subsection, be fined not more than $150,000.00 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and

  (3) for a third or subsequent violation of this subsection, be fined not more than $300,000.00 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

  (b) An operator who violates a provision of this chapter shall be fined:

  (1) for a first violation, not more than $25,000.00;

  (2) for a second violation, not more than $75,000.00; and

  (3) for a third violation, not more than $150,000.00.

  (c) Upon the violation of a provision of this chapter by an operator, the Department may terminate its contract with the operator and revoke the operator’s privilege to offer sports wagering within the State. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• Subchapter 003: FANTASY SPORTS CONTESTS

• § 1330. Definitions

  As used in this subchapter:

  (1) “Computer script” means a list of commands that can be executed by a program, scripting engine, or similar mechanism that a fantasy sports player can use to automate participation in a fantasy sports contest.

  (2) “Confidential fantasy sports contest information” means nonpublic information available to a fantasy sports operator that relates to a fantasy sports player’s activity in a fantasy sports contest and that, if disclosed, may give another fantasy sports player an unfair competitive advantage in a fantasy sports contest.

  (3) “Fantasy sports contest” means a virtual or simulated sporting event governed by a uniform set of rules adopted by a fantasy sports operator in which:

  (A) a fantasy sports player may earn one or more cash prizes or awards, the value of which a fantasy sports operator discloses in advance of the contest;

  (B) a fantasy sports player uses the player’s knowledge and skill of sports data, performance, and statistics to create and manage a fantasy sports team;

  (C) a fantasy sports team earns fantasy points based on the sports performance statistics accrued by individual athletes or teams, or both, in real world sporting events;

  (D) the outcome is determined by the number of fantasy points earned; and

  (E) the outcome is not determined by the score, the point spread, the performance of one or more teams, or the performance of an individual athlete in a single real world sporting event.

  (4) “Fantasy sports operator” means a person that offers to members of the public the opportunity to participate in a fantasy sports contest for consideration.

  (5) “Fantasy sports player” means an individual who participates in a fantasy sports contest for consideration.

  (6) “Location percentage” mean the percentage, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, of the total of all entry fees collected from fantasy sports players located in Vermont, divided by the total entry fees collected from all fantasy sports players in fantasy sports contests.

  (7) “Net fantasy sports contest revenues” means the amount equal to the total of all entry fees that a fantasy sports operator collects from all fantasy sports players, less the total of all sums paid out as winnings to all fantasy sports players, multiplied by the location percentage for Vermont. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1331. Consumer protection

  (a) A fantasy sports operator shall adopt commercially reasonable policies and procedures to:

  (1) prevent participation in a fantasy sports contest it offers to the public with a cash prize of $5.00 or more by:

  (A) the fantasy sports operator;

  (B) an employee of the fantasy sports operator or a relative of the employee who lives in the same household; or

  (C) a professional athlete or official who participates in one or more real world sporting events in the same sport as the fantasy sports contest;

  (2) prevent the disclosure of confidential fantasy sports contest information to an unauthorized person;

  (3) require that a fantasy sports player is 18 years of age or older and verify the age of each player using one or more commercially available databases, which the government or businesses regularly use to verify and authenticate age and identity;

  (4) limit and disclose to prospective players the number of entries a fantasy sports player may submit for each fantasy sports contest;

  (5) limit a fantasy sports player to not more than one username or account;

  (6) prohibit the use of computer scripts that provide a player with a competitive advantage over another player;

  (7) segregate player funds from operational funds, or maintain a reserve in the form of cash, cash equivalents, payment processor receivables, payment processor reserves, an irrevocable letter of credit, a bond, or a combination thereof in an amount that equals or exceeds the amount of deposits in fantasy sports player accounts, for the benefit and protection of fantasy sports player funds held in the player’s accounts; and

  (8) notify fantasy sports players that winnings of a certain amount may be subject to income taxation.

  (b) A fantasy sports operator shall have the following duties:

  (1) The operator shall provide a link on its website to information and resources addressing addiction and compulsive behavior and where to seek assistance with these issues in Vermont and nationally.

  (2)(A) The operator shall enable a fantasy sports player to restrict irrevocably the player’s own ability to participate in a fantasy sports contest, for a period of time the player specifies, by submitting a request to the operator through its website or by online chat with the operator’s agent.

  (B) The operator shall provide to a player who self-restricts the player’s participation information concerning:

  (i) available resources addressing addiction and compulsive behavior;

  (ii) how to close an account and restrictions on opening a new account during the period of self-restriction;

  (iii) requirements to reinstate an account at the end of the period; and

  (iv) how the operator addresses reward points and account balances during and after the period of self-restriction, and when the player closes the player’s account.

  (3) The operator shall provide a player access to the following information for the previous six months:

  (A) a player’s play history, including money spent, games played, previous line-ups, and prizes awarded; and

  (B) a player’s account details, including deposit amounts, withdrawal amounts, and bonus information, including amounts remaining for a pending bonus and amounts released to the player.

  (c)(1) A fantasy sports operator shall contract with a third party to perform an annual independent audit, consistent with the standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, to ensure compliance with the requirements in this chapter.

  (2) The fantasy sports operator shall submit the results of the independent audit to the Attorney General.

  (d) A fantasy sports operator shall not extend credit to a fantasy sports player.

  (e) A fantasy sports operator shall not offer a fantasy sports contest based on the performance of participants in college, high school, or youth athletic events. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1332. Fair and truthful advertising

  (a) A fantasy sports operator shall not depict in an advertisement to consumers in this State:

  (1) minors, other than professional athletes who may be minors;

  (2) students;

  (3) schools or colleges; or

  (4) school or college settings, provided that an incidental depiction of nonfeatured minors does not violate this section.

  (b) A fantasy sports operator shall not state or imply in an advertisement to consumers in this State endorsement by:

  (1) minors, other than professional athletes who may be minors;

  (2) collegiate athletes;

  (3) colleges; or

  (4) college athletic associations.

  (c)(1) A fantasy sports operator shall include in an advertisement to consumers in this State information concerning assistance available to problem gamblers or shall direct consumers to a reputable source of that information.

  (2) If an advertisement is of insufficient size or duration to provide the information required in subdivision (1) of this subsection, the advertisement shall refer to a website or application that does prominently include such information.

  (d) A fantasy sports operator shall only make representations concerning winnings that are accurate, not misleading, and capable of substantiation at the time of the representation. For purposes of this subsection, an advertisement is misleading if it makes representations about average winnings without equally prominently representing the average net winnings of all players. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1333. Registration

  On or before October 15 of each year in which a fantasy sports operator offers a fantasy sports contest to consumers in this State, the operator shall file an annual registration with the Department on a form adopted for that purpose and pay to the Department an annual registration fee in the amount of $5,000.00. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1334. Enforcement

  (a) A person that violates a provision of this chapter commits an unfair and deceptive act in commerce in violation of 9 V.S.A. § 2453.

  (b) The Attorney General has the authority to adopt rules to implement the provisions of this chapter and to conduct civil investigations, enter into assurances of discontinuance, and bring civil actions as provided under 9 V.S.A. chapter 63, subchapter 1. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• Subchapter 004: RESPONSIBLE GAMING AND PROBLEM GAMBLING

• § 1340. Responsible gaming and problem gambling; operator plans, duties, and report

  (a) Responsible gaming plan. Annually, each operator shall submit to the Department and the Department of Mental Health a responsible gaming plan that shall include information related to the posting of materials related to problem gambling, resources to be made available to bettors expressing concerns about problem gambling, house-imposed player limits, and self-exclusion programs. The Commissioner shall require each applicant to submit a responsible gaming plan prior to authorizing the applicant to conduct a sportsbook within the State.

  (b) Plan review. At least every five years, each operator shall be subject to an independent review of the operator’s responsible gaming plan, as assessed by industry standards and performed by a third party approved by the Department. The Department may require the operator to pay for the independent review.

  (c) Problem gambling report. Annually on or before January 15, the Department, in consultation with the Department of Mental Health, shall submit to the General Assembly a report on the impact of sports wagering on problem gambling in Vermont, including an analysis of demographic populations that are disproportionately impacted by problem gambling. The Department may require the operators to pay for the costs associated with preparing and submitting the report.

  (d) Operator platform requirements. The Department shall ensure that each operator utilizes a mobile sports wagering platform that:

  (1) prohibits an individual from establishing more than one account;

  (2) prohibits an individual from using a credit card to establish an account or place wagers;

  (3) allows a person to limit the amount of money that may be deposited into an account and spent per day through an account;

  (4) establishes a statewide voluntary self-exclusion process to allow a person to:

  (A) exclude themselves from establishing an account;

  (B) exclude themselves from placing wagers through an account; or

  (C) limit the amount such person may spend using such an account;

  (5) provides responsible gaming and problem gambling information to participants; and

  (6) conspicuously displays on each applicable internet website or mobile application:

  (A) a link to a description of the provisions of this subsection (d);

  (B) a link to responsible gaming and problem gambling information;

  (C) a telephone number that an individual may use to obtain information about problem gambling;

  (D) a link to information about the voluntary self-exclusion process described in subdivision (4) of this subsection (d);

  (E) a periodic pop-up message displaying the amount of time an individual has spent on the operator’s internet website or mobile application;

  (F) a means to initiate a break in play to discourage excessive play; and

  (G) a clear display of the amount of money available to the individual in the individual’s account.

  (e) Advertising restrictions. Sports wagering advertisements shall not:

  (1) depict any individual under 21 years of age, except live footage or images of athletes in sporting events on which sports wagering is permitted;

  (2) depict any individual under 21 years of age in any way that may be construed as the underage individual participating in or endorsing sports wagering; or

  (3) target individuals under 21 years of age, other individuals who are ineligible to participate in sports wagering, individuals with gambling problems, or other vulnerable individuals.

  (f) Vermont postsecondary campuses. A postsecondary school located in the State shall not permit sports wagering to be advertised on property belonging to the postsecondary school, except for generally available advertising, including television, radio, and digital advertising. An operator shall not advertise in a manner that targets the area of a college or university campus. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1341. Sports Wagering Enterprise Fund

  (a) The Sports Wagering Enterprise Fund is established. It shall consist of all revenues and fees received by the Department pursuant to this chapter and all amounts that are from time to time appropriated to the Department for purposes of this chapter.

  (b) The Department’s administrative and operating costs shall be allocated to and paid from the Fund based on generally accepted accounting principles. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)

• § 1341a. Problem Gambling Program

  (a) The Department of Mental Health shall establish and administer the Problem Gambling Program to:

  (1) provide support to agencies, organizations, and persons that provide education, assistance, awareness, treatment, and recovery services to persons and families experiencing difficulty as a result of addictive or problematic gambling;

  (2) promote public awareness of and provide education concerning gambling addiction using online capabilities and other best practices; and

  (3) promote public awareness of assistance programs for gambling addiction using online capabilities and other best practices.

  (b) On or before January 15 of each year, the Department of Mental Health shall submit to the General Assembly a report detailing the expenditures related to the Problem Gambling Program in the preceding fiscal year and summarizing the programs and activities supported by those expenditures. (Added 2023, No. 63, § 1, eff. June 14, 2023.)