§ 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.)