Vermont sits on the sidelines while its neighbors charge ahead with trying to enact laws to regulate casino gambling. The future looks bleak for players in the state because there are no physical gambling operations to propagate the online sector. Unfortunately, you can’t put a dollar in a slot machine or play a hand of poker or blackjack in Vermont as these activities are prohibited. Casino Gambling, poker, and dog racing are entirely illegal, and those seeking the real casino experience travel to neighboring towns with established tribal or commercial casinos.
The next best alternative to driving out-of-state is online casinos that accept Vermonters. There are no explicit laws against online gambling in the state, and you can play online casino games without any legal repercussions. However, this presents another challenge as many offshore operators steer clear of the US because of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006. These offshore sites are not regulated, so choosing a trustworthy one is crucial to safeguarding your money and personal information.
According to the lottery law, citizens under 18 cannot buy a lottery ticket, but they can receive tickets as gifts and collects winnings from them. Electronic state lottery terminals were the closest to a slot machine until they were scrapped in 2016, just a year after they had been installed across the state.
The state is so strict that even social gaming is prohibited. Playing at cards, dice, or other table game in a social setting for real money is liable to a fine, or imprisonment, or both. Charitable events are the only exception to poker gaming and raffles, bingo games and social card games are permitted.
Daily Fantasy sports still fall within a legal grey zone, so operators and Players alike take advantage of the lack of proper legislation regarding it to carry out betting activities.
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Interesting State Facts
While Vermont might be a desert of legal gambling options, the state thrives in several other aspects, like being the largest producer of maple syrup in the country. The name originates from the French phrase “Verts Monts” meaning Green Mountains.
Vermont is the first state to be admitted to the Union after the 13 colonies. With a population of 626, 562 residents, it is the second smallest state after Wyoming. Forests cover 77 % of it, and it has the highest ratio of cows to people – 1 cow to 3.8 people.
Vermont Gambling Venues
For some real casino gaming, residents of Vermont have to hit the road and visit neighboring states with active casinos. Luckily, many surrounding states like Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have taken the plunge and offer quite a few tribal and commercial casinos. Three hours down south is the Rivers Casino in Schenectady, New York, and two and a half hours away is The Big Apple’s Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort. Players can also cross the border to Montreal less than two hours away. Playground Poker Club in Montreal holds 75 poker tables. For more poker options, Foxwoods Casino, Connecticut, offers 147 tables, and the Encore Boston Harbor has 88 tables.
Horse race betting is legal, but as the industry’s demand dried up, the last live track closed down in 1991. There are a few off-track betting locations, typically bars and taverns. TwinSpires and BetAmerica are the primary OTB providers.
The state lottery is the only form of gambling locals can find in the territory. Residents can play Lucky for Life, Gimme 5, Pick 3, and Pick 4 games. Interstate games such as Powerball, Mega Millions, and Megabucks Plus are the tri-state lottery games that Vermont operates with Mains and New Hampshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no land-based casinos in Vermont. It is not a big state. It is the 49th largest state in the US and, therefore, does not have the population that a land-based casino needs to thrive.
At the moment, it is considered illegal to take part in daily fantasy sports contests in Vermont. While the attorney general of Vermont has made it known that daily fantasy sports contests are illegal, this site does not agree with his opinion as they have claimed their product does not deal with chance. Due to this, FanDuel and DraftKings are available in the market.
No, off-track betting is not considered illegal in Vermont. Residents of Vermont are allowed to take part in off-track betting. Furthermore, lots of bars in Vermont receive bets over the phone, as well as in person. That’s not all. Bets can also be made through mobile apps and in person.
You cannot visit casinos in Vermont because none exists. This goes a long way to prove that casinos are considered illegal in Vermont. If you live in Vermont and must visit a casino, you will have to make do with casino nights organized by charities as this is the closest thing to a casino that you can get in Vermont.
Although casino events are allowed in Vermont, they come with lots of restrictions. According to the Vermont statute 2143, Section (4), a casino event shall not include a fair, bazaar, field days, agricultural exposition, or similar event that utilizes a wheel of fortune, chuck-a-luck, or other such games commonly conducted at events, or break-open tickets, bingo, a lottery, or a raffle.
