Vermont Betting Sites: Legalities, Current Options, and Future Plans

Looking for the best betting sites Vermont has to offer? Whether you’re a resident of the Green Mountain State, planning a trip or just plain curious, you’ll find out all of the information you need to know about legal Vermont sports betting details here.

In the sections to come, we’ll provide players with all of the essential details about what’s legal, illegal and everything in between in terms of Vermont sports betting. We’ll go into the history of Vermont’s gambling laws, and the potential future of Vermont betting sites.

For those readers who are residents of the state of Vermont, you’re likely to be familiar with the limited gambling options in Vermont. There are currently no legal Vermont betting sites, which includes Vermont online sports betting sites.

Players will find that there is a state lottery however, some legal forms of charity gambling, and there is the option to bet on interstate horse races.

Is Daily Fantasy Sports betting Legal in Vermont

While the state of Vermont has taken an undeniably strict approach to the majority of betting options in the state, there is at least one area in which they’ve been somewhat progressive. In the case of Daily Fantasy Sports, players will discover that there is legal Daily Fantasy Sports betting in Vermont.

In fact, the state was a relatively early adopter of legal Daily Fantasy Sports betting options. Players who are over the age of 18 can bet on Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in Vermont.

This makes Daily Fantasy Sports betting app options like DraftKings and FanDuel some of the only viable online betting options in the state, and many players enjoy the flexibility and customization of DFS betting.

It’s also safe to assume that if and when sports betting online is legalized, these same operators will provide some of the best betting sites in Vermont.

Are there Legal Offshore Sites for Vermont Players

Whether or not an online sports betting platform or any other site is legal depends on a number of important factors. The first and foremost of these players need to consider is whether or not online sports betting is legal in your state, and there are no legal Vermont sportsbooks.

These offshore betting sites aren’t necessarily illegal because they operate unregulated from outside state lines. However, offshore betting sites also can’t be considered legal, and there are no guarantees of safety. So popular offshore betting sites like Bovada, MyBookie and BetOnline may come up as available in your state, but they aren’t regulated and can’t be considered safe for betting.

Land-based Casinos

Something that sets Vermont apart from the vast majority of states across the USA is its lack of gambling options. Where many states provide players with some form of poker room or make exceptions to state anti-casino laws for Tribal casinos, Vermont has no form of casino available whatsoever.

This extends to all land-based casinos and online casinos, of which there are quite literally none. As you may have assumed, this also means there are no sports bets provided, or any standalone sportsbook operators in the state. As mentioned earlier in this article, there is charity gambling in Vermont, but there are no licensed casinos at all.

Racetrack Betting

It may be disappointing to some players to hear that there are no casino betting or online sports betting options provided to players in the state of Vermont. Thankfully for readers, there is another saving grace for the state. There is legal racetrack betting in Vermont via online pari-mutuel betting sites.

Though there are online Vermont sportsbook options for horse racing, players should note that there are no operating racetracks currently in Vermont. So while players won’t find the excitement of a physical, in-person race while betting within the state of Vermont, there are plenty of live, licensed simulcast off-track betting options to choose from.

Closest States to Vermont with Legal Sports Betting

It’s difficult to deny that there are some extremely prohibitive conditions surrounding betting in the state of Vermont, and it is one of the most restrictive states in the USA in terms of betting options. So if you’re finding yourself at a loss in terms of betting options to suit your needs in Vermont, don’t stress, because there are interstate betting options to choose from.

So while you might not be able to bet on any Vermont online sports betting options, there are some fantastic alternatives available to players in the state. Here, we’ve made it easier for our readers to find a nearby option, providing you with a list of the best and nearest states to Vermont with legal sports betting facilities.

Those living in Vermont are better off travelling elsewhere to experience sports wagering. Luckily, with legal online sports betting in New York – and Massachusetts one step closer towards legalization, it’s becoming far easier to do so.

It could be speculated that there is pressure growing on Vermont legislators due to neighboring states enjoying the benefits of a new tax revenue achieved by legalized sports wagering.

We can only say so much the extent to which Vermont is likely to expand its sports betting and gambling horizons. However, it’s safe to say that there are a few things which would be essential features in the event that ther state introduced legal sports betting. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the likely features of Vermont betting sites in the future.

To begin with, players are guaranteed to find age verification and problem gambling assistance at any state which legislates and features regulated online sports gambling. They will also heavily monitor these sites and ensure that they’re providing legitimate betting services with guaranteed payouts for winners.

On a legal betting market in any state or jurisdiction, there are some betting options which its more or less safe to assume will be available. It’s safe to assume Vermont online sports betting sites will offer markets on the NFL, NBA, and the MLB, for example.

It’s likely that players would be able to also place bets on college football and even niche international markets at the best betting sites Vermont.

What are the Vermont Gambling Laws

As we’ve mentioned earlier on this page, the laws in Vermont surrounding gambling of all varieties are somewhat prohibitive as an understatement. The state features zero land-based casinos, and there is no legal online casino gambling in Vermont. As such players won’t find any form of legal casino or similar institution in the state.

There is also no sports betting whatsoever in Vermont and no legal Vermont sports betting app or sportsbook sites – however there is, as mentioned earlier, legal Daily Fantasy Sports betting in the state. Players will find that there is no legal poker available in the state. There are some provisions and exceptions made for certain charity betting events.

Betting Type Law
Sports Betting Not Legal
Online Sports Betting Not Legal
Land-based Casino Not Legal
Online Casino Not Legal
Poker Not Legal
Racetrack Betting Legal (No Tracks)
Vermont Gambling Age 18+ for Lotto and Charity Gambling

Though there are undeniably limited options in the state of Vermont in terms of sports betting, online betting and casinos, there are a few more exceptions to the rule in the state. For one, players are allowed to bet on horse races via online betting apps provided that these services are legitimately licensed to operate in the United States.

There are, however, no horse racing tracks available for bettors across the entire state, which is somewhat unlikely to change. Other exceptions to the lack of gambling options in the state include the state lottery, which is a very popular option for Vermont residents, and occasional charity betting events.

History of Sports Betting and Gambling in the State of Vermont

Players may have determined by now that Vermont is quite a restrictive state in terms of all forms of gambling. This has evidently been the case for quite some time, and the state has historically held conservative attitudes towards sports betting and gambling in general. Here, we will explore some of the history of Vermont sports betting.

Perhaps the fact that Vermont doesn’t have any major league teams is a factor in why there are no sports betting options. Even though the state did make some moves towards more gambling options in 2015, with the introduction of lottery terminals, even these were removed from the state a year later.

History of Sports Betting in Vermont
  • Overturning of PASPA Law Sports betting had been outlawed in all but four states for close to 30 years in 2018. However, this all changed with the overturning of PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) in 2018, which opened up the potential for individual states to vote on an internal level on whether or not they would feature legal sports betting.
  • Lottery Terminals Introduced Vermont has also featured a state lottery for some time. In 2015, this and other lottery betting options were made easier with the introduction of lottery terminals in the state. However, this was short lived, and these were banned again the following year.
  • Ban on Greyhound Racing Racetrack betting remained one of the only available betting options in the state of Vermont from 1959 onwards. However, in 1992, this was limited further when greyhound racing was flat-out banned in the state.
  • Pari-mutuel Betting Options Introduced One of the most important and fundamental things introduced to the state of Vermont’s betting gamut were the first pari-mutuel racetrack betting options in 1959, followed shortly by the opening of the Green Mountain Race Track in 1963.

Another contributing factor to the lack of casino gambling in Vermont is that there are no Indian tribes recognized in Vermont, which are usually the impetus for gambling exceptions. The state offered its first pari-mutuel betting options in 1959. They then banned greyhound racing in 1992, and the last track in the state closed in 2008.

Whether or not there will be gambling websites in Vermont in the future is anyone’s guess. But the overturning of PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) has led to many states across the country expanding into allowing sports gambling, both online and in physical sportsbook or casino locations.

Should sports betting become legal in Vermont in the future, The Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery would be the authority responsible for establishing regulation regarding amounts and numbers of bets gamblers would be able to perform, amongst other rules.

What is the Future of Sports Betting in Vermont

There’s no denying that the lack of physical land-based casinos and any online sports betting options in the state of Vermont aren’t the best signs in terms of progress for gambling advocacy. But it’s anyone’s guess how things could change in the future, with the overturning of PASPA and future bills reaching the house.

The lack of Indian casinos and restrictions on all forms of online gambling aside, there are plenty of nearby states to Vermont which provide players with ample sports betting options. So it’s not unlikely that this might be introduced in the future

Until that happens however, players will have to visit any one of the legal sports betting states to place a legal sports bet. Rest assured, we’ll bring you all the info on the best betting sites Vermont bettors can enjoy in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope that you’ve found all of the information you needed about placing bets in Vermont through this page. Here, we’ve done everything we can to provide our readers with an extensive guide to betting in the Green Mountain State. For those with remaining queries, feel free to peruse the following list of answers to frequently asked questions.

⚖️ Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Vermont?

The matter of sports betting and gambling of all forms in Vermont state is a contested one. Overall however, it’s safe to say that there is no legal online or sports betting in Vermont at the time of writing. We recommend reviewing our page on Vermont sports betting to learn more.

🛡️ What is the Vermont legal gambling age?

Vermont has very limited gambling options available to players in the state. So although the general legal age of gambling in Vermont is 18, don’t get too excited – players will find that there aren’t many options available, Age limits generally relate to the lottery and fraternal or charitable gambling. Check out the Vermont gambling law section to find out more.

🚨 Are offshore sites such as MyBookie and Bovada legal and safe?

When it comes to offshore betting, players can never be sure if their bets are safe, as these services are typically not regulated and monitored on a state-by-state basis. As such, offshore sites can’t be considered legal and safe for play in the state of Vermont. You can learn more about legal betting markets here. 

🔎 Can I play at a Vermont online sportsbook if I am not in the state?

As there aren’t any Vermont online sportsbooks currently available, the answer is in the question. Further, as a general rule, players are advised to consider that you need to play on sportsbooks licensed in your state specifically in order to be legal, protected and safe from scams under these laws. Check out more information about neighboring state gambling here.