Back in January, Vermont lawmakers brought up the subject of legalized sports gambling in the state after two senators introduced a bill that would allow both land-based and online sportsbooks. It seems like a great idea, especially since some Vermont neighbors, including Rhode Island and New Hampshire, have already gotten on the US sports gambling bandwagon. However, the process is moving slower than the maple syrup the state is known for. Lawmakers are now discussing a bill that would allow the state to explore the feasibility of sports gambling and what options should be included.

It isn’t enough that Europe has had sports gambling for decades or that several states in the US have already conducted numerous studies on the subject of legalized sports gambling. Vermont now wants to direct more money to investigate the activity, which will result in the same findings – legal sports gambling is a moneymaker and doesn’t lead to massive amounts of gambling addiction. By some accounts, the percentage of those who could be considered “problem gamblers” in the US only makes up about 2% of the entire gambling population.

Still, lawmakers have to be able to run through the motions, and the Vermont Senate unanimously approved last Friday the creation of a committee that will work out the details of how to tax and regulate sports gambling in the state. Unfortunately, that was just the second reading – another one had to be held yesterday before the bill made its way to the House if it’s approved.

As everyone already knows, except, apparently, lawmakers who don’t stay on top of the news, sports gambling is already happening in Vermont, just like it is everywhere else. Legalizing it only means that the state will be in a better position to profit from the activity, as well as to create oversight to ensure addiction doesn’t become a problem.