Vermont has a different approach to gambling than many states in the American Northeast. It heavily restricts land-based gambling and lacks regulation for most forms of online gaming.
While online sports betting is legal, online casinos currently lack ruling, so they lie in a legal grey area. However, Vermont residents have access to online casinos regulated outside of the state. Although the VT does not license such gaming, it does not prosecute online gamblers.
Keep reading to learn everything from gambling laws and the gaming outlets in the Green Mountain State.
Summary of VT Gambling Laws
Vermont opposes many forms of land-based gambling. It does not allow brick-and-mortar casinos or poker clubs. The Green Mountain State also has a law against hosting private games at home.
However, online sports betting, lotto games, and charity gambling are all legal. Meanwhile, online casinos and poker betting lie in a legal gray area.
| Gambling | Vermont |
|---|---|
| Is Online Gambling Legal? | Gray Area |
| Playing at Online Casinos | Gray Area |
| Legal Age Online | 18+ |
| Land-Based Casinos | No |
| Legal Age Land-Based | N/A |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes |
| State Lottery | Yes |
| Social Gaming | Yes |
Is Gambling Legal in Vermont?
Vermont does not allow brick-and-mortar casinos, poker rooms, or sportsbooks.
Pari-mutuel betting is banned, while horse and dog tracks are not legal. It has legal online sports betting, though online casinos and poker sites exist in a legal gray area.
So, players who seek casino gaming must play at offshore gambling sites. Here is the complete picture of Vermont’s gambling laws.
| Gambling | Mississippi Legal Status |
|---|---|
| Casino Gambling | Casino gambling is illegal. Any attempts to pass land-based casinos have failed by a wide margin. |
| Poker | Land-based poker rooms and poker clubs are banned, as well. |
| Horse Race Betting | People cannot hold, operate, or conduct horse racing in the state. Vermont also bans pari-mutuel betting or simulcasting on horse races. |
| Dog Race Betting | Vermont prohibits dog racing. It also bans pari-mutuel betting or simulcasting on greyhound races. |
| Lottery | The Vermont Lottery offers Pick 3, Lucky For Life, and instant tickets. It’s also a part of the Powerball and Mega Millions multi-state lottery associations. |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | H.127 formalized the legality of daily fantasy sports in Vermont. DFS sites must register each year by October 15. |
| Sports Betting | Gov. Phil Scott signed a sports betting bill (H.127) into law on June 13, 2023. Sports betting sites launched on January 11, 2024. No retail sportsbooks exist in Vermont. |
| Charitable Gaming | Licensed nonprofit groups can host games of chance like raffles, bingo, card games, and break-open tickets (pull-tabs). Slot machines and mechanical gambling devices are banned. “Cherry Master” or “Money Machines” are explicitly prohibited. |
| Social Gambling | Vermont bans casino and poker gaming, even in a private home among friends. State officials do not prosecute hosts or participants, while the maximum fine for social gaming is $5. |
| Online Gambling | Vermont does not have a state-regulated online gambling other than sports betting. Online sportsbooks are legal as of January 2024. Casino gamblers and poker players can bet at offshore gaming sites. |
Best Online Casinos for VT Players in 2024
When Vermont residents play at offshore online casinos, they should find casinos worthy of their trust.
We have compiled a list of sites considering their game selection, software providers, payout speed, terms of use, and safety measures.
We like casinos that support payments with a banking method you use every day. Many trustworthy casino sites accept players from Vermont, so you have options. Here’s the complete list.
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Where to Gamble in Vermont
Vermont has few land-based venues. While bingo halls and lottery betting operate legally in the state, no other brick-and-mortar gambling establishments exist. Even social gaming at home with friends is banned.
Land-Based Casinos in Vermont
Vermont does not have any land-based casinos. Gamblers in the Green Mountain State must drive into New York, Massachusetts, or Canada for brick-and-mortar casino gambling.
The MGM Springfield in Western Massachusetts is the nearest such venue.
Horse & Dog Tracks
Horse and dog tracks also do not exist in the state. Vermont has a strict ban on pari-mutuel betting and simulcasting. You’ll find no legal tracks or off-track betting facilities (OTBs) in the state.
Horse bettors should create an account at an offshore gambling site to make wagers on horse, harness, or greyhound races.
Some of our recommended casinos have racebook betting. These sites allow Vermonters to bet on horse racing and casino games with the same player account.
Online Sports Betting
Since January 11, 2024, residents can make legal online sports bets. Currently, sports bettors can choose among five licensed sports betting apps.
As 2024 proceeds, you can expect to see one more online sportsbook launch. Six legal sports betting apps are the maximum number allowed by Vermont law.
Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling
Licensed nonprofit groups can host a limited number of casino nights and gaming events at agricultural fairs yearly.
The Office of the Vermont Attorney General oversees charitable gambling in the state. It licenses nonprofits who offer games of chance to raise money for educational, religious, civic, or charitable reasons.
The list of approved games includes bingo, raffles, card games, and break-open tickets. Nonprofits cannot operate mechanical gambling devices like Cherry Master and “Money Machines.”
Social Gaming at Home
Vermont has a strict ban on social gaming with friends in the privacy of one’s home. The law states that if money changes hands due to gambling, it is not legal in the Green Mountain State.
However, state officials do not prosecute hosts or participants, while the maximum fine for social gaming is $5.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
No legal land-based poker rooms or card clubs exist in the state. Officials want no brick-and-mortar poker of any kind to happen. Instead, residents must sign up at offshore online poker sites.
Many online cardrooms exist that accept Vermonter card players.
These sites feature games like Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo. Bovada and Ignition are members of a poker liquidity-sharing network with up to 2,000 in peak times.
Both sites accept players from Vermont. The setup allows poker players to enjoy cash games, tournaments, and sit-and-go events at various bet limits.
Casino Cruises
As a landlocked state, Vermont does not have casino cruises.
Players must visit nearby states if they want to take a casino cruise. The nearest casino cruises are Portsmouth and Hampton along New Hampshire’s small coastline.
Real Money Online Casino Games for Vermont
Vermont citizens who want to play real money casino games must go to offshore betting sites. Such websites offer a range of games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games.
Some even offer sports betting and poker. Here is what Vermonters will find on the Internet.
Online Slots
The only way someone can play slots is at an online casino.
Players can enjoy a large online slot selection. You can play 3-reel classics, video slots with 50 or more paylines, All-Ways slots without pay lines, or grid slots.
Bets range from 1 cent a spin to $100 a spin or more.
Online Poker
Many online cardrooms accept players from Vermont. You will find plenty of real money online poker options.
Some offshore sites feature the ever popular Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi-Lo. The stakes are usually on the lower side, as they typically are from $0.02 to $10 and 5% rake.
Blackjack
Online blackjack is available in Vermont through online casinos. You’ll find good options at the same sites that host online slots.
The bet limits have a large range, with bets from $1 a hand to $500 a hand.
You’ll find games like Classic Blackjack, Perfect Pairs, Switch, Pontoon, Spanish 21, and European Blackjack.
Live Dealer Games
Most of the top casino sites now have live dealer games. Fresh Deck Studios and Visionary iGaming (ViG) are the top two providers of live casino games to the offshore American market. Each offers live versions of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and Super 6.
Sites that use Fresh Deck Studios will find a handful of other games like lottery and big wheel games.
ViG’s live dealer games have bets ranging from $5 to $20,000, depending on the game. Fresh Deck Studios games have bets from $0.50 to $12,500.
Other Available Games at Mississippi Online Casinos
The games mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. The best sites offer hundreds of games within an expanding list of categories, as shown below.
Other Available Games at Online Casinos in Vermont
Vermont players will find a lot of welcome bonuses when they research casino sites. Of the extensive list of bonus offers, we prefer two of them. Bovada offers a welcome bonus with easier-to-attain rollover requirements. DuckyLuck’s welcome package includes bonus money and free spins.
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DuckyLuck’s $7,500 welcome package is a little more complicated, though it’s more lucrative.
You receive a 500% bonus of up to $2,500 on your first three deposits.
On the first deposit, you’ll receive 150 free spins on the latest slots on the site. The free spins appear at a rate of 50 per day for the first three days after you make a first deposit.
Vermont Online Gambling Laws
Vermont is more restrictive towards gambling than many nearby states. Its laws allow only a few forms of land-based gaming, with only bingo halls and lottery vendors available.
For that reason, online gambling is popular in the state. VT players can bet at state-regulated sportsbooks and play casino games at offshore casinos.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Vermont?
Officials do not license or regulate online casino gambling and poker betting. Players must register at offshore gambling sites to place bets on online poker, slots, or table games.
Sports betting, on the other hand, is legal since January 11, 2024. Currently, the state has had five licensed sports betting apps.
Regulators at the Attorney General’s office can extend one more sportsbook license.
VT Ban on Land-Based Gambling
Chapter 23 of the Vermont Statutes banned most land-based games of chance.
This section of the statute prohibits land-based casinos and poker rooms. The same law bans private home games, even if the host does not collect a profit from hosting the event.
VT Lotto Games and Associations
Chapter 51 of the Vermont Statutes established lottery betting. It created the Vermont Lottery, which has regular drawings and sells scratch-off tickets.
It also opened the door for the Vermont Lottery to join the Mega Millions and Powerball multi-state lottery associations.
How Charity Gaming Works in Vermont
Chapter 51: Section 2143 describes the nonprofit organizations that can host charitable gambling in the state. It defines the allowable nonprofit groups as charitable, religious, educational, and civic undertakings.
It also describes the legal charitable games, including raffles, lotteries, pull-tab tickets, and other games of chance. It also allows limited gambling at casino events and agricultural fairs hosted by nonprofits.
Sports Wagering Study and Legalization
The Vermont legislature passed Act No. 70 in 2021, which ordered the Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC) and the Joint Fiscal Office (JFO) to study sports betting in other US states.
The research found that security measures, financial requirements, geolocation services, and integrity monitoring of gambling sites in other states must meet international standards.
Based on the study, the commission adopted rules to govern the security and integrity of Vermont users’ data.
This assured the Vermont lawmakers who passed the 2023 H.127, the sports betting bill, into law on June 13, 2023.
After the passage of H. 127, the Department of Liquor and Lottery can offer up to six online sportsbook licenses.
*Please be advised that the information provided on this page does not constitute legal advice. Our team strongly recommends you seek professional counsel from a qualified attorney regarding your specific questions or concerns on the topic.
Vermont Online Gambling vs. Neighboring States
Except for social gambling with friends, Vermont’s gambling laws are the same as those of its neighbors. It has more restrictive rules on private home games than nearby states.
| US State | Playing at Online Casinos | State Regulated Online Casinos | Social Casinos | Online Sports Betting | Lottery | Fantasy Sports | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | Gray Area | Not Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| New Hampshire | Gray Area | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Massachusetts | Gray Area | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| New York | Gray Area | Not Legal | Gray Area | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Vermont’s gambling laws are the same as the bordering states, with one exception. While the Green Mountain State does not allow private home games, two of Vermont’s neighbors do: New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Both have explicit laws that allow for home gambling, so long as it is not for commercial purposes.
New York has a similar ban on private home games, though it’s rare for New York officials to punish such activity. Thus, private games exist in a legal gray area in the Empire State.
You won’t get in trouble for hosting a game if you don’t charge a rake.
If you get involved in the kind of private games depicted in Molly’s Game – a true-life story about high-stakes poker games in New York and elsewhere — you’ll get in a lot of trouble.
Tips When Playing at Online Casinos in Vermont Safely
When playing online in Vermont, players should follow a few basic ground rules. Here are tips that help Vermonters play responsibly and stay safe.
Study the Gaming Market
Read legitimate casino reviews before depositing money at a gaming site. Don’t deposit if reviewers state that play isn’t fair or payment is slow.
Read the Terms of Use
Bonus promotions have terms and conditions like wagering requirements and game restrictions.
Read the terms of use and follow the rules to avoid having your bonus winnings voided.
Use Promo Codes Properly
Some casino bonuses require a promo code. If sites use them, input the bonus code before confirming your deposit. Don’t deposit cash without receiving promotional money.
Find the Slots with High RTPs
Study the slot providers in your chosen casino.
Learn which online slots have the highest return to player percentage. The higher the RTP, the more likely you’ll end the session with winnings.
Learn Bankroll Management Tips
Use bankroll management to limit the risk of ruin. Read about methods like loss limits and win goals to shorten gaming sessions.
Learn to calculate your bankroll and make appropriate bets based on this calculation.
Crypto Payout Methods
For fast payments, use crypto withdrawals. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin offer the quickest and safest payments. If you want cryptos tied to the US dollar, use Tether or USD Coin.
Pros & Cons of Gambling in Vermont
Vermont has many restrictions on gambling, though the state government has approved new forms of legal betting in the past year.
Residents should prepare themselves to deal with bans and be aware of the laws.
Here are the opportunities and challenges local players face when inside Vermont.
Pros
- Trustworthy and reliable offshore sites accept real-money Vermont players.
- At the best betting sites, residents will find between 200 and 600 casino games — including 400+ slot games at some.
- Players can access large welcome bonus packages from $3,000 to $7,500 or more from trusted operators.
- Online gamblers can bet on casino games, poker, and horse racing without fear of prosecution.
- Licensed mobile sports betting apps now accept play from the Green Mountain State.
Cons
- Vermont does not have land-based casinos or poker rooms.
- No brick-and-mortar pari-mutuel wagering and simulcasting exist.
Future of Online Gambling in Vermont: Our Prediction
Over the decades, Vermont has had more restrictive gambling laws than most neighbors. Even in the 2020s, lawmakers in the Green Mountain State continue to restrict betting at land-based venues.
However, the passage of online and mobile sports betting regulations might signal a change in attitudes.
If the January 2024 rollout of the legal sports betting apps goes smoothly, it could lead to the passage of new gambling laws. Unlike most states, online sports betting happened without the launch of retail sportsbooks.
Some legal sportsbook operators run their online casinos and have lobbied for legalization in other states. Vermont is likely to wait to regulate online casinos or poker sites.
Despite the success of mobile sports betting, no state legislator has introduced online casino bills in recent years. So, offshore sites will continue to be the best option for online gambling for VT players for the next 5 to 10 years.
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Vermont Online Gambling FAQ
The article above should have answered most of your questions. If you still have concerns, read the frequently asked questions below for more information.
If you have cumulative lottery winnings over $5,000 in a year, you’ll be subject to the 6% Vermont State Income Tax Withholding rate and the 24% Federal Income Tax Withholding rate. The Vermont Lottery Headquarters sends a W-2G form to anyone who won $600 or more on a single lottery ticket in the previous calendar year.
Gambling is safe in Vermont, but players must take a few precautions. The first precaution is reading online casino site reviews from trusted sources. These reviews give gamblers information on a site’s security measures and reputation.
Encryption technology should be 128-bit or 256-bit. The site should also use SSL certificates. Also, the online gambling site should have a reputation for fairness and quick withdrawals. If it doesn’t, do not deposit cash at the site.
No. Vermont officials do not license casino sites but do not prosecute individuals who play at offshore online casinos. Officials would prosecute you if you launched your casino website. Individuals playing in the privacy of their own homes do not face legal issues. Neither do mobile casino players who gamble while on the go.
Disclaimer
As part of our commitment to transparency, it’s important to disclose that this website engages in affiliate marketing. This means that when you click on our links to online casinos and make a purchase or sign up, we may earn a commission.
These commissions contribute to the upkeep of our platform and the creation of valuable content. While we aim to provide accurate and unbiased information, it’s crucial to note that our reviews are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Additionally, we advocate for responsible gambling practices and encourage users to gamble responsibly. If you believe you may have a gambling problem, please seek assistance from relevant support services.