How to Bet on Sports in Vermont: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners in VT

Fact Checked by Wes Roesch

Learning how to bet on sports in Vermont is about to become much more important. Below, I break down the latest legislation, types of bets to place, and helpful tips.

How to Sign Up to Bet on Sports Online in Vermont

Online sports betting in Vermont goes live on Jan. 11, 2024. Governor Phil Scott made it official by signing H127 into law in June 2023.

Since there are no land-based Vermont casinos, you'll have to wager online via desktop or mobile app platforms. We don't anticipate any retail sportsbooks.

Fulfill Legal Requirements

Before you place a legal bet in Vermont you will need to:

  1. βœ… Be at least 21 years of age or older.
  2. βœ… Be within the state lines.
  3. βœ… Turn on your geolocation and verify your locationβ€”you need to be located within Vermont state lines, not necessarily a resident.
  4. βœ… Provide the last 4 of your Social Security Number for tax purposes.

Choose a Sportsbook

Choose a from a list of available Vermont sports betting apps. You can explore our guides and operator reviews to help you decide which is the best for you. 

I recommend comparing Vermont sportsbook welcome offers, betting lines, site navigation, betting options and customer support when picking a sports betting site.

Create an Account

Regardless of what site you choose to play at, creating an account is more or less the same process everywhere.

After selecting your site or sites, the link to create an account will be in the upper right corner of the page. Provide personal information and allow the site or app to access your location. It shouldn't take any longer than five minutes to complete. 

🎁  How To Claim Fanatics Vermont Promo Codes

How to Place Bets on Sports Online in VT: Common Bet Types Available

Knowing how to bet on sports in Vermont can make a big difference in the amount you win. If you are a beginner, I recommend taking a look at DraftKings Vermont. They are well known in the world of betting, and very suitable to anyone who is learning how to bet in Vermont. 

There are several types of bets, and each of them has their own level of difficulty. Every betting market is different as well; betting on the NFL is not the same as betting on baseball or golf. You can expect to find these common sports wager options anywhere in Vermont:

  • Moneyline The moneyline is the most straightforward bet type. Here, you'll bet on a team to win a game outright. For example, if a team is -200, they're the favorite, and you need to wager $200 to win $100. These are considered straight bets.
  • Point Spread Point spreads illustrate the gap in power between two teams. On a wager, you'll see the point spread (or projected margin of victory) and the odds for each side, typically at or around -110. For example, if the Patriots are -2.5, they need to win by 3 or more points to cash out. If they're +2.5, they can lose by 2 or fewer points, or win outright, to win a wager.
  • Over/Unders or Totals Over/unders or totals refer same wager, a bet on how many points are scored in a game. Sportsbooks will set a line for the projected total number of points scored, and you'll bet on whether you think the final result will be more or less.
  • Parlays A parlay bet allows you to combine two or more selections into a single bet. In doing so, you'll see the odds (and your risk) increase with each contest added. You need all contests, also known as legs in the context of a parlay, to win to receive a payout.
  • Futures A futures bet allows you to wager on events that will resolve in the future. Popular examples of this include championship winners, awards winners, and win totals. These bets tie up your money for an extended period but can offer great value with correct wagers.
  • Prop Bets In sports betting, there are three types of prop bets, also known as proposition bets. These include player, game, and team. Player props are the most popular of the three, focusing on individual players and their statistical output.
  • Live Bets or In-Game Bets Live betting happens when a game is actively in progress. With live bets, you'll have access to the same betting market options as pregame, including moneyline, point spreads, totals, and more. As the game gets underway, odds will change to match the game action, so you can find new or better markets.

How to Read Betting Odds in Vermont

In sports betting, odds are labeled with minus signs (-) and plus signs (+). You'll see these labnel applied to certain bet types, like point spreads. Odds tell you two things: 1) the favored team and 2) the potential payout of a winning bet on that team.

Positive Odds

Positive odds are notated with a plus sign (+). If you're viewing odds with a plus in front of it, this tells you that this team/selection are the underdogs. The number associated with positive odds is how much you'd win if you bet $100

For example, if the Red Sox have +120 moneyline odds to beat the Yankees, you'd win $120 with a successful $100 wager on Boston.

Negative Odds

Negative odds, shown with a negative sign (-), indicate the favored team. With negative odds, the number associated is the amount you'd need to wager to win $100. For example, if the Boston Bruins have -170 moneyline odds to beat the Montreal Canadiens, you'll need to wager $170 to win $100.

Even Odds

Even odds are reserved for contests where the two teams competing are so close in strength that a "favorite" cannot be determined. These odds are typically -100 or +100β€”it's the same result either way. If you bet $100 on -100 or +100, you'd win $100.

European Odds vs. American Odds

Positive and negative odds are used in the American odds format. However, there are numerous ways to read and view betting odds.

One of the ways is European odds, which are also referred to as decimal odds. To convert American odds to decimal odds, there's are simple formulas to follow for both positive and negative numbers.

  • βž• Positive: (Odds / 100) +1
  • βž– Negative: (100 / |Odds|) + 1

πŸ“… MORE: Check Odds at FanDuel Vermont Sportsbook

Most Popular Sports to Bet on in Vermont

You will find a large selection on markets to place a sports bet on. Vermont isn't home to any professional teams. Still, its college basketball team has appeared in the last two NCAA March Madness tournaments.

  • NFL Betting NFL betting has the biggest market. You'll have access to tons of betting markets and promotions dedicated to the sport. The NFL calendar runs from September to February. The closest NFL teams to Vermont are the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and New York Jets.
  • NBA Betting The NBA season lasts 82 regular-season games and four rounds of best-of-seven series leading up to the NBA Finals. The regional NBA teams near Vermont include the Boston Celtics (who are a top NBA Finals contender), the Toronto Raptors, the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets.
  • MLB Betting Of all "big four" U.S. sports, the MLB season is the longest, stretching from late March to November, including a 162-game regular season, the Championship Series and the World Series. The Red Sox are undoubtedly the most popular team for Vermont bettors, but the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and the New York Mets are also close by.
  • NHL Betting Vermont bettors will love betting on the NHL. Vermont's climate is perfect for ice hockey, and it's become a favorite pastime in New England. While there aren't any pro hockey teams in Vermont, there are plenty nearby: Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, to name a few.
  • Golf Betting Golf is gaining popularity in Vermont. The PGA TOUR features four major golf tournaments a year, with numerous others throughout. The betting markets revolve around how an individual golfer will finish, including outright winner, top five, top 10, top 15, and more.
  • Soccer Betting In Vermont, soccer fans can bet on the MLS and international leagues. Since draws are possible in soccer, the betting markets will look different and more frequently include 3 way moneylines. Regional MLS teams include the New England Revolution, Toronto FC, and New York City FC.
  • College Sports Betting Vermont does not allow betting on in-state college teams, expect when they are competing in a major national tournament like March Madness or the Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. However, you can bet on out-of-state college teams.

How to Use Vermont Sportsbook Promos

There will be multiple Vermont sports betting promos you will want to take advantage of. You can usually redeem them in one of three ways:

  1. Fulfill Terms & Conditions: As you follow the terms and conditions, such as making a minimum deposit or following minimum odds guidelines, you'll receive the offer without having to take any additional action
  2. Opt In: If an offer requires you to opt in, go to the promotions page while logged into your account, open the page dedicated to that offer, click "opt-in," then follow the terms and conditions.
  3. Enter Promo Code: If the promo code is only valid registration, there will be a field for you to add it there. If it's valid on your first deposit, there will be a field to enter the code on the deposit page.

Do I Need to Use Vermont Sportsbook Promos?

No, you don't have to use Vermont promos. Still, I highly recommend you do use them, as these can add value by offering bonus funds, higher payouts, or insurance on your wagers. They're almost always a win-win.

Tips for Betting on Sports in Vermont

These are my top 4 tips to keep in mind when betting on sports in Vermont:

  1. βœ… Shop Around: Look for the site that offers the most profitbale odds for what you want to bet on. For example, if you think the Celtics will win their next game, compare the moneyline odds between each legal site in Vermont to see where you get the most value.
  2. βœ… Set Limits: Never wager more than you can afford to lose. Betting on sports is a form of entertainment, and you shouldn't bet your entire bankroll. Pick a strategy, like setting a pre-determined about your wager per bet, and stick to it. 
  3. βœ… Understand Home-field Advantage: A team playing in front of their fans on a familiar field with less travel generally has better prospects than road teams, and this has a real impact on odds.
  4. βœ… Monitor Live Movements: The betting line & odds are usually released one or more days before a game, allowing for plenty of line movement as injury and practice reports emerge. Pay special attention to point spread changes.

Start Betting on Sports in Vermont

Vermont may not be the largest state in the United States or have the most representation team-wise. However, it's a popular destination for tourists, sports fans, and new sports bettors. The Vermont betting market will emphasize New England teams, known for their passionate fan bases.

If you're in Vermont, bookmark this page and use it as a resource for your betting journey.

How to Bet on Sports in Vermont FAQ

Author

Richard Janvrin

Graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a BA in Journalism, Richard has written for notable sports outlets such as Bleacher Report. Now with BetVermont.com, Richard is able to combine his sports and gambling interests to spend time exploring online sportsbooks and casinos.