Vermont is a liberal state with a conservative attitude to gambling. With no casinos and relatively few opportunities to gamble beyond the lottery, Vermont lawmakers made the surprise decision to legalize sports betting in 2023. It is one of just two states with no commercial casinos, racinos or tribal casinos to do so, the other being Tennessee.
| Allowed? | Notes | |
| Land-based gambling | No | Apart from some OTB venues |
| Online gambling | No | Mobile sports betting, OTB platforms, DFS legal |
| Sports betting | Yes | Mobile-only market yet to launch |
| Lottery | Yes | |
| Minimum gambling age | 18, 21 for sports betting |
Vermont Gambling Law Summary
Vermont Statutes define gambling as “winning or losing money or another valuable thing by play or hazard at any game.”
Unlike some states, Vermont laws target players as well as operators. Chapter 52 § 2141 of the Vermont Statutes states:
"A person who wins or loses money or other valuable thing by play or hazard at any game, or by betting on such play or hazard, or sharing in a stake wagered by others on such play or hazard, shall be fined not more than $200.00 nor less than $10.00."
If the infraction occurs in a "public gambling house," the penalty may also involve imprisonment for up to 60 days. It’s also worth noting that Vermont law allows losers to recover illegal gambling losses via civil action.
This looks pretty bad for your Friday night poker home game, and also for Vermont players who gamble using offshore sites. However, there is little evidence that authorities have interest in going after poker players who organize friendly games with a few hundred bucks on the table. Meanwhile, Vermont's laws do not mention online gambling specifically, and no one has ever been prosecuted in the state for playing online from the privacy of their own home. If Vermont's laws do prohibit players from gambling online, then they have never been enforced in this way.
Most gambling-related matters are covered by Vermont Statutes Chapter 51: Gambling and Lotteries. The minimum gambling age is 18 and 21 for the impending mobile sports betting market.
Vermont Casinos
Vermont has never legalized commercial casino gaming and it has no federally recognized tribes that would be eligible to organize tribal gaming under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
However, it's not as though there is a paucity of casinos in New England, which means residents can travel to neighboring states to get their kicks. Popular destinations include The Brook in New Hampshire, Saratoga Gaming and Racing in New York State, the MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor in Massachusetts, and the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. There are also a good few options north of the border in Montreal.
In 2015, state lawmakers authorized the installation of Video Lottery Terminals in 25 bars across Vermont as part of a pilot program. One year later, this program was terminated, and the terminals were removed.
Vermont Poker
Vermont is a barren wasteland when it comes to poker. Local businesses are prohibited from operating commercial poker rooms, there is no regulated online poker, and even home games are illegal -- theoretically at least.
That means local players have to travel to the neighboring states to participate in tournaments or cash games. The largest poker rooms located within driving distance from Vermont include Playground Poker Club (Montreal, 75 tables), Encore Boston Harbor (Massachusetts, 88 tables), and Foxwoods Casino (Connecticut, 147 tables).
If you're determined to organize a home game for your buddies, it's unlikely that authorities will be interested in policing a low-stakes, private social game. Just remember not to take a rake, a vig from the buy-ins, or otherwise profit commercially, other than by what is won and lost by players within the confines of the game.
Vermont Sports Betting
The Vermont legislature passed a bill to legalize mobile-only sports betting in June 2023, and it was quickly signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott.
No timeline has been given for the launch of the new market, although it is likely to go live some time in 2014. The new law authorizes up to six sports betting apps, although ultimately there may be fewer, as this small state with its small population would likely not sustain a crowded market.
Land-based sports betting remains illegal for now.
Vermont Parimutuel Betting
Parimutuel betting was introduced to the state in 1959. Except for a short stint at the Vermont State Fair in Rutland, all horse races were held at the Green Mountain Race Track in Pownal, which opened in 1963.
After four years, the venue started hosting greyhound races. In 1992, greyhound racing was banned, and in 2008, Green Mountain Race Track ultimately closed down. Off-track betting is still available at local bars and over the internet via OTB platforms TwinSpires and BetAmerica.
Vermont Daily Fantasy Sports
Vermont residents have unrestricted access to all DFS platforms, including FanDuel, DraftKings, Yahoo DFS, and Fantasy Draft.
Vermont legalized paid DFS contests in 2017, becoming the 12th state to enact such a law. Gov. Phil Scott signed the bill even though major DFS platforms, including FanDuel and DraftKings, had previously been operating in Vermont illegally, at least according to an opinion from the Vermont Attorney General’s Office.
Vermont Lottery
The Vermont Lottery offers both intrastate and multi-state draw games, including Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lucky for Life, as well as Instant Win games. Also, the lottery operates dozens of WinStations, which sell Fast Play tickets. The lottery is prohibited from selling any tickets over the internet, so Vermont residents who want to join in on the action have to visit licensed land-based retail outlets.
Vermont Bingo
Vermont charities are allowed to host non-profit bingo games, but commercial bingo isn’t available within the borders of the state. Playing over the internet is probably illegal, although these laws have never been enforced against an individual player.
Vermont Online Gambling FAQ
What types of gambling are available in VT?
When it comes to land-based gambling, Vermont doesn’t have a lot to offer. The state is devoid of any casinos, and the handful of racetracks it once had are now closed to bettors. The only way to play regulated casino-style games is to take part in charitable gambling. Mobile-only sports betting is now legal, but won't be up and running until 2014. Like many other US states, Vermont runs its own lottery but doesn’t have any locally licensed gambling sites.
What laws cover online gambling in Vermont?
Laws that pertain to land-based gambling are all listed in Vermont Statutes Chapter 51: Gambling and Lotteries. Vermont doesn’t have any dedicated internet gambling laws.
Is real-money online gambling legal in Vermont?
The answer is most probably yes -- nominally, at least. As mentioned above, Vermont doesn’t regulate online gambling, and the state doesn’t go after players who frequent offshore iGaming sites.
Which offshore gambling sites accept Vermont residents?
Vermont-based gamblers shouldn’t face any difficulties when signing up with any major offshore sites.
What are the most popular banking options supported by Vermont-facing sites?
All reputable offshore sites support Visa credit and debit cards. Those sites generally allow you to choose between a wire transfer and check by courier when it comes to cashing out.
Does Vermont offer any intrastate online gambling?
No. Vermont doesn’t have a regulated intrastate gambling market. The sites that claim to be licensed in Vermont are cheating their visitors, which means that they’re probably also dangerous to play on.
Is it likely for Vermont to regulate online gambling?
Vermont lawmakers legalized online sports betting in 2023. However, the state doesn’t have a land-based gambling industry or a customer base that could sustain a major online gambling operation, so it’s improbable for Vermont to regulate online casino-style games or poker anytime soon.
Vermont Statutes
§ 3981. Loser may recover loss.
A person who pays money or other valuable thing lost at a game or sport or horse race may recover the value thereof of the person to whom it was paid in a civil action, if commenced within one month from the time of payment.
Chapter 51: Gambling And Lotteries
§ 2101. Setting up, promoting or aiding
Except as provided in section 2143 of this title, a person who sets up or promotes a lottery for money or other property, or disposes of money or property by a lottery, and a person aiding or concerned in so doing, or who knowingly allows premises owned or occupied by him or her or under his or her control to be used for that purpose, or by persons raffling or using a game of chance for money or property, shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both, for the first offense and imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both, for each subsequent offense.
§ 2102. Disposing of property by way of chance
Except as provided in section 2143 of this title, a person who sells or disposes of property by way of chance or, as an inducement to the sale of property, gives the purchaser or any other person other property to be drawn by way of chance or lottery shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both, for the first offense and imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both, for each subsequent offense.
§ 2102a. Affirmative defense
It shall be an affirmative defense to a charge under section 2101 or 2102 of this title that the person charged complied with the provisions of section 2143 of this title.
§ 2103. Lottery tickets
(a) A person shall not:
(1) Sell a lottery ticket or an interest therein, or a paper purporting to be a lottery ticket or an interest therein;
(2) Open or keep an office, shop or store for the purpose of selling or procuring a lottery ticket or paper or an interest therein;
(3) Act as a broker or agent in buying, selling or procuring to be bought or sold or disposed of in any way such ticket or interest therein, or in effecting or in endeavoring to effect a contract in regard thereto;
(4) Set up, exhibit or publish or cause to be set up, exhibited or published within this state written, printed or electronically communicated proposals to buy, sell or procure such ticket or interest therein.
(b) A person violating a provision hereof shall be fined not more than $300.00.
(c) For purposes of this section, no internet service provider or provider of internet transport facilities shall be liable solely as a result of use of its facilities by a third party for a prohibited use without the provider's actual knowledge or express consent.
§ 2133. -At gaming house
A person who plays at cards, dice, tables or other game for money or other valuable in a common gaming or gambling house that is maintained for lucre and gain, shall be fined not more than $200.00 or imprisoned not more than sixty days, or both.
§ 2134. Keeping gambling instrument
A person who has or keeps on premises owned or occupied by him implements or other things used in gambling and permits persons resorting to such premises to use such implements or things for the purpose of gambling shall be imprisoned not more than six months nor less than ten days or fined not more than $500.00 nor less than $10.00, or both.
§ 2135. Gambling machines-Sale, lease or rental
(a) A person, corporation, copartnership or association shall not lease, rent, let on shares, sell, expose for sale or offer for sale:
(1) A machine, apparatus or device, into which may be inserted a piece of money or other object, and from which, as a result of such insertion and the application of physical or mechanical or electrical force, may issue with or without gum or confection, a piece of money, or slug, or a token, or a check or memoranda calling for money, credit or merchandise or property; or
(2) A coin or slot machine, pinball machine, racing machines or other device of like character, wherein there enters any element of chance, whether the same be played for money, checks, credits, merchandise or other thing representative of value; or
(3) A machine or device of any kind or nature by the use or operation of which there is an element of chance for the winning or losing of money or other things of value.
(b) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to slot machines which were manufactured prior to 1954 and which are not operated for gambling purposes.
§ 2136. -Possession
A person shall be punished as provided in section 2139 of this title who has in his possession, or under his control, or who permits to be placed, maintained or kept in a place of public resort or in premises occupied by him, or under his management or control a machine, apparatus or device as mentioned in section 2135 of this title.
§ 2137. -Seizure; hearing
A sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or police officer shall seize without a warrant any machine or device described in sections 2134 and 2135 of this title, found in a place of public resort. A sheriff or other officer making such a seizure shall forthwith make a complaint under oath, subscribed by him, to a district judge in the county in which such seizure is made and shall summon the owner or occupant of the place in which such seizure is made to appear before such court and show cause why such machine should not be destroyed.
§ 2138. -Destruction
If, upon hearing, it is found that such machine was seized in a place of public resort, or was seized in any place by reason of a search warrant lawfully issued, the same shall be ordered destroyed and all money or other contents thereof forfeited to the state. The court shall issue its warrant to carry such order into effect.
§ 2139. -Penalties
An association, copartnership, corporation or person who violates a provision of sections 2135-2138 of this title shall be fined not more than $100.00 or be imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
§ 2141. Winning or losing by gambling
A person who wins or loses money or other valuable thing by play or hazard at any game, or by betting on such play or hazard, or sharing in a stake wagered by others on such play or hazard, shall be fined not more than $200.00 nor less than $10.00.
§ 2143. Nonprofit organizations.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, a nonprofit organization, as defined in section 10201(5) of Title 32, may organize and execute, and an individual may participate in lotteries, raffles or other games of chance for the purpose of raising funds to be used in charitable, religious, educational and civic undertakings or used by fraternal organizations to provide direct support to charitable, religious, educational, or civic undertakings with which they are affiliated. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, gambling machines and other mechanical devices described in section 2135 of this title shall not be utilized under authority of this section.
(b) A nonprofit organization may, notwithstanding the provisions of Title 7, distribute or utilize alcoholic beverages as prizes, rewards, winnings in any lottery, raffle or other game of chance.
(c) A person shall not conduct a bingo game in which the numbers picked are communicated electronically or by satellite to players at another location.
(d) Casino events shall be limited as follows:
(1) A location may be the site of no more than:
(A) one casino event in any calendar quarter; or (B) three casino events in any calendar year, as long as there are at least 15 days between each event.
(2) A location that is owned by a nonprofit, as defined in 32 V.S.A. ß 10201(5), may be the site of no more than three casino events in any calendar quarter and no more than 12 casino events in any calendar year as long as there are at least 15 days between each event.
(3) A nonprofit organization, as defined in 32 V.S.A. ß 10201(5), may organize and execute no more than:
(A) one casino event in any calendar quarter; or (B) three casino events in any calendar year, as long as there are at least 15 days between each event.
(e) Games of chance shall be limited as follows:
(1) All proceeds raised by a game of chance shall be used exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and civic undertakings after deducting:
(A) reasonable expenses, as determined by fair market value, of purchasing or renting materials and equipment used for the game of chance and of printing advertisements, and of the direct purchase of advertising through established media, such as newspapers, radio and television; and (B) reasonable expenses, as determined by fair market value, for rent for the premises on which the game of change is executed, except that rent paid prior to August 1, 1994, pursuant to a written lease in effect on June 1, 1994, and not subject to cancellation, may be deducted, whether or not such rent is reasonable, and repairs and upkeep to the premises for nonprofit organizations having ownership in premises; and (C) prizes awarded to players as limited in subdivision (4) of this subsection; and (D) payments to persons as limited in subdivision (2) of this subsection.
(2) A nonprofit organization that organizes and executes a game of chance shall not pay any person, and no person shall receive, any fee, commission, wage, salary, reward, tip, donation or other compensation in excess of $2,000.00 in any calendar year for organizing or executing games of chance or for working at the site of a game of chance. Refreshments or meals provided to a volunteer while working at the site shall not be considered compensation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, a nonprofit organization that organizes and executes games of chance may pay not more than $15,000.00 in any calendar year, in the aggregate, to all persons for organizing, executing or working at a game of chance. In calculating the limitations on payments to persons contained in this subdivision, only that portion of a person's compensation attributable to gaming shall be considered.
(3) A nonprofit organization shall not permit any person who has not attained the age of majority to organize or execute a game of chance. A person who has not reached the age of majority may work performing services at a game of chance which are not related to the execution of the game of chance.
(4) A nonprofit organization may offer a prize worth not more than $400.00 in value for a single game of chance, except that the nonprofit organization may offer a prize worth not more than $1,000.00 in value for one game per day, a prize worth not more than $5,000.00 in value for one game per calendar month and a prize of a motor vehicle, firearm, motorcycle or watercraft worth not more than $50,000.00 for one game per calendar year. A nonprofit organization may exceed the above prize limitations on four days per calendar year, if the days are at least 20 days a part and the total prize money offered for all games executed on the day does not exceed $20,000.00.
(5) A nonprofit organization shall not permit a person who organizes, executes or works at a game of chance to play in any game of chance organized or executed by that nonprofit on the same day.
(6) A nonprofit organization shall not organize and execute games of chance on more than two days in any calendar week, nor shall games of chance be organized and executed at any location on more than two days in any calendar week, except that:
(A) Casino events may be conducted only as permitted under subsection (d) of this section.
(B) Break-open tickets may be purchased and distributed only as provided in 32 V.S.A. chapter 239.
(C) A nonprofit organization may organize and execute games of chance on three consecutive days not more than twice in any calendar year as long as there are at least 90 days between each event.
(D) Agricultural fairs qualified to receive a state stipend pursuant to 31 V.S.A. ß 617 may organize and execute games of chance for not more than 12 consecutive days during the fair once each calendar year.
(E) A nonprofit organization may organize and execute games of chance at a location used by another nonprofit organization which results in the location being used on more than two days a week if all the nonprofit organizations using the location were in existence as of January 1, 1994, and are not affiliated with each other or under common control.
(7) A nonprofit organization shall not knowingly permit any person who has been convicted of a crime, within the last 10 years, under the laws of this state or of any other state, government or country which, if committed in this state, would be a felony criminal offense to organize or execute a game of chance. No person who has been convicted of such a crime shall organize or execute a game of chance.
(f) A nonprofit organization which organizes and executes a game of chance under subsection (a) of this section shall file financial reports with the commissioner of taxes as follows:
(1) For a nonprofit organization that is required to file federal tax forms 990 or 990T, or both, copies of those forms within 30 days of the filing date required by the Internal Revenue Service; (2) For a nonprofit organization that has raised more than $10,000.00 during the preceding year from organizing and executing games of chance and is not required to file federal tax forms 990 or 990T, a financial report for the preceding year, by June 15 of each year, which contains all the following information:
(A) An itemized list of all expenditures made for purchasing or renting materials and equipment used for games of chance and of printing advertisements, and of the direct purchase of advertising through established media, such as newspapers, radio and television.
(B) An itemized list of all expenditures made to all persons for organizing, executing or working at a game of chance and made for rent for premises on which games of chance are executed.
(C) The amount of all prizes awarded.
(D) An itemized list of all disbursements for charitable, religious, educational and civic undertakings.
(E) An itemized list of all funds raised from organizing and executing games of chance.
(3) For a nonprofit organization that is required to withhold Vermont income taxes from gambling winnings pursuant to 32 V.S.A. ß 5841(a), a financial report describing the amounts withheld, within 30 days of the filing date required by the Internal Revenue Service or by June 15 of each year, as applicable.
(4) If the required financial report is not filed within 30 days after the report is due or does not contain the information required by this subsection, the commissioner of taxes may bring an action in superior court against the nonprofit organization for injunctive relief to restrain the organization and execution of games of chance by that organization. The state shall not be required to demonstrate immediate and irreparable injury in order to be granted injunctive relief.
(g) The commissioner of taxes shall design the financial forms required by subsection (f) of this section and make them available on request.
(h) The commissioner of taxes shall provide the financial reports required by subsection (f) of this section to the attorney general upon request, notwithstanding the provisions of 32 V.S.A. ß 3102.
(i) A person who intentionally violates subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than $500.00.
(j) A person who intentionally violates subsection (c), (d), (e) or (f) of this section shall be fined not more than $10,000.00 for the first offense and fined not more than $100,000.00 or imprisoned not more than three years, or both, for each subsequent offense.
(k) A nonprofit organization which organizes and executes a game of chance under subsection (a) of this section shall permit its members to examine the financial books and records relating to gambling activities of the organization at any reasonable time and, upon request, shall provide photocopies of these records to its members at cost.
§ 2151. Bookmaking; pool selling; off-track wagers
(a) Except as provided under chapter 13 of Title 31, a person shall not
(1) engage in bookmaking or pool selling, except deer pools or other pools in which all of the monies paid by the participants, as an entry fee or otherwise, are paid out to either the winning participants based on the result of the pool or to a nonprofit organization or event as described in 32 V.S.A. § 10201(5) where the funds are to be used as described in that subdivision, or both;
(2) keep or occupy, for any period of time, any place or enclosure of any kind, with any material for recording any wager, or any purported wager, or selling pools, except as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection, upon the result of any contest, lot, chance, unknown or contingent event, whether actual or purported;
(3) receive, hold or forward, or purport or pretend to receive, hold or forward, in any manner, any money, thing or consideration of value, or the equivalent or memorandum thereof, wagered, or to be wagered, or offered for the purpose of being wagered, upon such result;
(4) record or register, at any time or place, any wager upon such result;
(5) permit any place or enclosure that the person owns, leases or occupies to be used or occupied for any purpose or in any manner prohibited by subdivisions (1), (2), (3) or (4) of this section;
(6) with the exception of pools as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection, lay, make, offer or accept any wager, upon such result or contest of skill, speed or power of endurance of human or beast, or between humans, beasts, or mechanical apparatus.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a public retail establishment, including a holder of a second class license issued under Title 7, may sell raffle tickets on the retail premises for a nonprofit organization that has organized the raffle, provided the raffle is conducted in accordance with section 2143 of this title and that no person is compensated for expenses, as outlined in subdivision 2143(e)(1)(B) of this title.
§ 2152. -Penalty
A person who violates a provision of section 2151 of this title shall be fined not more than $250.00 or imprisoned not more than six months or both for the first offense and fined not more than $2,000.00 or imprisoned not more than five years or both for a subsequent offense. When a person has been convicted in any state of a felony or of a violation of a statute prohibiting bookmaking, his conviction under this section shall be considered a subsequent offense.