An act relating to authorizing the issuance of limited wagering event permits for poker games and tournaments
S.319 would create a new limited wagering event permit under the Department of Liquor and Lottery for poker games and tournaments. The bill authorizes the Board of Liquor and Lottery to issue up to five permits per year, with no more than one permit to the same person in a calendar year, for a single approved wagering event lasting no more than 72 hours. Permit applicants would pay a $500 fee and must provide information about principals and key employees, the event location and security measures, other jurisdictions where they are authorized to conduct similar gaming, and the number of players and steps taken to ensure participants are over 18.
The bill also establishes a background-check review process for applicants and related controlling individuals, allowing the Department to obtain Vermont, out-of-state, and FBI criminal history records, or to accept qualifying third-party background checks. In addition, it imposes a 35 percent tax on adjusted gross receipts from the wagering event, administered by the Commissioner of Taxes in the same manner as income tax collections, with revenue deposited into the Education Fund. The act would take effect July 1, 2026.
If enacted, S.319 would amend Title 31 by adding a new section governing limited wagering event permits and would expand the regulatory authority of the Board of Liquor and Lottery and the Department of Liquor and Lottery over short-term poker events. It would also create a new tax obligation for permit holders and direct the resulting revenue to the Education Fund, affecting both gaming operators and state tax administration. The bill would not broadly legalize casino gaming, but it would create a narrow, permit-based framework for poker games and tournaments under state oversight.
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of legislative debate or formal support/opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the proposal appears structured as a tightly regulated authorization rather than a broad expansion of gambling, suggesting an intent to balance limited gaming activity with state oversight, age controls, background checks, and dedicated education funding.
The likely points of contention are the introduction of poker wagering itself, the limited number of permits, and the high 35 percent tax rate. Supporters would likely emphasize the narrow scope, regulatory safeguards, and Education Fund revenue, while opponents may focus on gambling expansion, potential social harms, and whether the permit cap and tax structure are workable for operators. Background-check requirements and the Department’s discretion in reviewing criminal histories could also be debated as either necessary safeguards or burdensome barriers.