Vermont to legalise DFS

ont has become the latest US state to approve the legalisation of daily fantasy sports within its borders. It would become the tenth state to pass legislation expressly legalising DFS, following Mississippi and Arkansas who passed similar legislation earlier this year. Vermont’s senate approved bill S136 at the end of last week, with the bill awaiting the final signature of state governor Phil Scott before it becomes law. It was implemented despite the 2016 objections of Vermont’s state assistant Attorney General who told Reuters that “daily fantasy sports violate Vermont’s gambling laws”. The bill creates a regulation and registration process for DFS providers with state authorities, giving Vermont’s Attorney General authority to implement rules overseeing the industry. A registration fee of $5,000 is payable by DFS operators, with the potential for further fees and taxes to be implemented via future bill amendments. Also included are consumer safeguards relating to gambling by professional athletes, misleading advertising, problem gambling and a mandatory minimum age of 18 for anyone wishing to participate.