Updated on: January 3rd, 2025
There are no casinos in Vermont. The state has some of the strictest laws surrounding gambling in the United States. Minimal forms of gambling are available to residents in the area, including state-run lottery games, horse racing betting (although there are no tracks), and daily fantasy sports.
With limited options available, you may be tempted to look on the web for online casinos that accept Vermont players. While you should have no problem finding such casinos, there is a chance you could be fined.
If you would like to find out more about this and all other things gambling in Vermont, keep reading. Below we go through all you need to know about the activity!
Gambling Laws in Vermont
Vermont has some of the most limited gambling options in the entire country. Theoretically, there are only two traditional options available to you if you are a keen gambler – pari-mutuel betting and state-sanction lottery games.
However, the state’s only racetrack – Green Mountain Race Track – closed in 1992. So, even though you can bet on horse races, there aren’t any races to bet on. So, you are really only looking at playing lottery games.
Bills to introduce casinos in the state have been proposed for a long time with the motivation that it would increase state tax earnings. However, it has been shot down pretty much every time. Sports betting bills have also been proposed since PASPA was overturned in 2018. But none have come to fruition.
Surprisingly, daily fantasy sports are legal in the state. The form of gambling is regulated by law, and you can rest easy when building your own teams and joining leagues at popular sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel. (This could be considered a third option depending on whether you believe DFS games are gambling games.)
Online Gambling in Vermont
While Vermont doesn’t actively mention online gambling in its regulation, it does state that residents can be fined for engaging in gambling activities that are not state-sanctioned. The penalty isn’t very big – it’s between $10 and $200 depending on how bad the offense is.
Honestly, we have never seen a case of a player from Vermont getting into trouble for gambling online at a casino site. However, remember that this is a risk you need to decide on your own to take. We aren’t saying you will or won’t be fined.
Land-Based Casinos in Vermont
Unfortunately, there are no casinos in Vermont. If you want to visit a casino, you will need to take a trip out of state and head to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or even Montreal to get your gambling fix.
If you don’t have the time to take the trip, note that some stores and bars offer electronic lottery games similar to slots but aren’t the same game. Outside of this, we have nothing. Lottery tickets, anyone?
Vermont Casinos – FAQs
No, Vermont does not have casinos. The closest options to gambling machines you will find in the state are video lottery terminals that offer lottery games. These are not slots!
Only two forms of betting are legal in Vermont: state-run lottery games and pari-mutuel betting. As there are no horse racing tracks in the state anymore, you will have a hard time betting on horses.
You can take a risk and gamble online. However, understand that you will be breaking the law by doing so. You will also be liable to pay a fine of up to $200. So, it is a risk you need to consider.
No, sports betting is not legal in Vermont. Although several bills regulating the activity have been proposed and discussed, none have yet to pass.
No, online gambling is not legal in Vermont. The state doesn’t even have its own land-based casinos. You will need to travel to the surrounding areas if you want to play casino games or bet on sports.
Theoretically, no online casino or sports betting site is legal in Vermont because there is no state-sanctioned site. So, Bovada is not legal in Vermont. However, we have yet to find a case of a player being prosecuted for joining an online casino or sportsbook in the Green Mountain State.
DraftKings is legal in Vermont, but only if you want to participate in daily fantasy sports games. The sports betting offerings are not available.
