The vision for legal sports betting in Vermont is still quite up in the air.

While Vermont's Sports Betting Study Committee prefers the legalization of event wagering in the state, it has yet to settle on what kind of wagering need to be allowed, consisting of whether there must be online sports betting.

"We have not yet decided whether to suggest only online video gaming, retail, or both," committee chair Wendy Knight stated throughout a conference on Tuesday. "I think that those concerns need to be addressed initially before we can then actually understand whether we wish to advise [an] existing administrative structure or a brand-new administrative structure."

Who wants what, where, and when?

The "when" of legal sports betting in Vermont is unsettled also, although it seems trending toward next year's football season. The legislature is set to assemble once again in January, and it's then that legislators will have another chance to craft an expense that would authorize betting in the state.

Another committee member, Rep. Matthew Birong, stated they have yet to consider an ideal launch date.

"If this does pass next session, that resembles a July 1, probably, application date of whatever," Birong said throughout the meeting. "Are we, theoretically, best-case situation stating [we are] up and running [for the] kickoff [of] football season next year?"

Knight kept in mind that research study has revealed that the "prime" time for sports betting is in the fall with the National Football League and state colleges playing video games. However, the chair said there is a looming question about the possibility of a "staggered" launch for sports betting, too.

"Do we begin with online video gaming and after that examine to go to a retail market?" Knight asked. "Do we take it in phases?"

Much to consider

The questions still to be addressed about in Vermont come as it stays the only New England state without any authorized type of occasion wagering. Maine and Massachusetts took actions this previous legislative session to legislate sports wagering, however Vermont political leaders only formed their committee, which continues to consider the matter.

The committee heard on Tuesday from the chair of the state's Cannabis Control Board, getting some viewpoint about the legalization of another formerly prohibited activity. Still, there are key differences between weed and betting, such as the truth that the previous stays prohibited at the federal level.

Sen. Dick Sears explained that Vermont lacks the same sort of gambling-related facilities as nearby states. There are no casinos in Vermont, no horse-racing tracks, and no online casino gambling.