Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Liquor And Lottery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Liquor & Lottery commissioner reports $168 million in FY24 lottery sales; sports wagering brought $3.5 million
Summary
Commissioner Wendy Knight told the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee the Department of Liquor and Lottery runs two enterprise funds, reported FY24 lottery sales of about $168 million with $35 million transferred to the Education Fund, operates roughly 80 802 spirit stores and 582 lottery agents, and earned $3.5 million from sports‑w
Wendy Knight, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery, told the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee on Feb. 4 that the department operates two enterprise businesses (liquor control and the Vermont Lottery), reported about $168 million in FY 2024 lottery sales and transferred $35 million of lottery proceeds to the Education Fund.
Knight said the lottery side has roughly 582 retail agents statewide and that the department’s liquor operations run approximately 80 802 spirit stores across Vermont. “Vermont is a control state,” she said, describing the system by which distilled spirits are sold through state‑contracted stores and the department operates purchasing, warehousing and logistics functions.
On sports wagering Knight said the state completed its first full year of operations and received about $3.5 million in revenue share for FY 2024. She detailed negotiated revenue‑share arrangements with the three operators active in Vermont: FanDuel (33%), DraftKings (31%) and Fanatics (31%). Knight noted that growth in revenue share is sensitive to betting payouts: when bettors win a high share of wagers, the state’s revenue share declines because a greater portion of the handle is paid out in winning bets.
Knight described a dual mission for the agency: generating revenue while supporting public safety and harm reduction. The department contracts with the Department of Mental Health for responsible‑gaming services and works with the Department of Health on related programs. It also enforces licensing and compliance for alcohol and tobacco sales; Knight said tobacco compliance audits show a high compliance rate in retail ID checks (she offered to follow up with specific percentages).
Knight outlined several business‑facing initiatives the department is rolling out this year: a B‑to‑B online ordering site for on‑premise licensees, a permanent on‑premise discount program that gives restaurants and bars more favorable pricing, expansion of small‑footprint “kiosk” stores in high‑tourism areas, pilot self‑service vending for lottery tickets and a $30 instant‑ticket product planned for spring.
Committee members raised insurance concerns for on‑premise licensees. Knight said Vermont does not require liquor‑liability insurance as a condition of licensure; she directed questions about rising premiums and market availability to the Department of Financial Regulation and said the Attorney General’s office handles enforcement and settlements tied to illegal online tobacco or vape sales. The department does not plan a proactive legislative agenda this session, Knight said, and noted it is keeping budgets lean while focusing on customer satisfaction and operational improvements.
No formal committee votes were recorded during the presentation.
