Vermont Gambling Laws
When many in the US think of the term “gambling,” they may begin to think of a problem that swallows people whole and causes addictions. While there is some truth in this matter for some people, the larger truth is that most people who engage in gambling on a regular basis manage to do so in a manner that is safe, responsible, and not at all damaging to their everyday lifestyle. We discuss Vermont gambling laws in this article and if it's safe to wager in the Green Mountain State
Just as with most things, the activity of gambling rarely matches either the greatest fantasy of the average citizen, nor the greatest fear. Those who engage in gambling on a regular basis will say that when enjoyed responsibly and on a regular basis, there are few hobbies that can be as fun or exciting as gambling and even, if there is a particular streak of skill or luck, a little profitable.
While many residents of the state of Vermont profess to have a deep and real interest in a regular gambling hobby, very few follow through. While it’s obviously not for everyone, the hobby can provide an excellent pastime. Most resident do not participate not because they do not want to try, but due to a poor or completely false understanding of the laws the govern them, they feel that playing so much as one hand of poker could land them in jail for a long time.
While federal law that governs all the states and citizens concedes that the unlicensed facilitation of gambling is indeed a very serious crime, they do not criminalize the actual act of gambling. This means that, in accordance with federal policy, it is completely legal to participate in gambling. While the State of Vermont certainly adds its own regulation and nuance, this is the general template by which the policy is written.
If you want to get the low-down on the situation, VermontGamblingLaws.com is here to help, as we'll thoroughly explore the state’s law as it relates to their ability to gamble without any legal interference. We will also attempt to help Vermont residents find means to gamble that are both legal and high quality.
Legality of Gambling in Vermont
The first, and most important thing to know about Vermont gambling laws is that it does not prohibit gambling, not really. While the legislation does not define or criminalize the actual act of betting or wagering on future events or games of chance, they do prohibit residents from taking part in illicit gambling. While there is no penalty for the act of gambling in private, if a resident is caught inside a common “gambling house,” chapter 51 subsection 2133 of the state code declares that they can be punished by up to 60 days in jail, and/or a fine of $200.
There are two things to point out about the law. Firstly, the act of being in an illicit gambling house is absolutely NOT the same thing as gambling in private, and secondly… what’s with that measly $200 fine? The gambling code in Vermont was written about when Vermont was first ratified as a state, all the way back in the late 1700’s. This tells us that not only is gambling not a criminal action, but that this law is highly unlikely to be enforced on its own without being part of a serious bust or something to add onto another long list of charges. Even if one is caught inside in illicit gambling den, it stands to reason that any modern law enforcement agencies will not go to great lengths to prosecute a crime worth $200.
On the other hand, illicit gambling dens would force residents to deal with a criminal element, which for reasons other than a potential $200 fine is not recommended. As long as a resident of Vermont gambles discretely and in private, there should be no legal complications that they need to deal with.
However, this should not be takes to indicate that all gambling related charges in Vermont will go by largely unnoticed. If one is found guilty of “setting up” a lottery or gambling event, not only will state law enforcement go to great lengths to indict that guilty party, but they could face up to one year in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. This is obviously a crime that could have an impact on the rest of one’s life, and should be avoided at all costs!
Difference Between Gambling & Setting Up Gambling
Fortunately for Vermont residents who are interested in gambling, there are stark differences between these two acts besides just the punishments that are associated with them, and it is just about impossible to switch from one or the other inadvertently.
The clearest way to illustrate the difference is to understand one thing: the act of gambling cannot be done by one person alone. While the “gambler,” or “player,” must make the decision on their own to take out money and wager it on a future event (usually a sport event or political election, etc.) or game of chance, if there is no one there to take their money in exchange for keeping track of the event or operating the game of chance for the shot at winning big, it does the player no good. This second person who takes the money and operates the game is most likely guilty of “setting up gambling.”
However, there is no reason to worry that law enforcement will be going door to door breaking up private poker games amongst friends because there is one more crucial parameter involved in being found guilty of “setting up” a gambling event or lottery: the host of the event must profit from the gambling.
This does not mean that, by virtue of wise bet and wagers the host of the game comes out ahead of what they put in, it means that they have put themselves in a position to profit from the gambling regardless of whether they bet or not. Some popular means of accomplishing this are through charging admission for a “seat,” or the privilege to play the game, operating a traditional casino game as the “house,” who always has the best chance of winning, collecting a small percentage of every pot as profit to the house from a game of poker, often called the “rake,” operating a sportsbook, or even up charging for food and drinks throughout the course of a game.
Just so long as a Vermont residents avoids these specific acts, they will avoid jail time and that hefty fine, and indeed, any legal attention at all.
Betting Laws In Vermont
Vermont Sports Betting Laws
In 1992, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection act was passed through US congress. This act prohibited all but four states from sanctioning the facilitation of sports betting, taking the matter out of state lawmakers’ hands. Unfortunately, as Vermont was not one of the four states exempt from this act, it is impossible for them to sanction any land based sportsbooks within the state unless there is ever some serious change in federal policy.
For this reason, many residents of the green mountain state turn to legal online sportsbooks. By wagering on these offshore sportsbooks, hundreds of players are able to wager on all imaginable sports events every day. There is no better way to make a sports game even more exciting than by staking a few dollars on the outcome!
Vermont Casino Gaming Laws
Unfortunately for Vermont residents who crave casino games in a social environment, there is not one single, sanctioned brick and mortar casino in the entire state. While some states who do not sanction land based gambling get lucky with the placement of a couple federally exempt tribal casinos, Vermont is not so lucky. However, they are a relatively short drive from Atlantic City in New Jersey, one of the country’s most gambling friendly cities. Still, this would force many to deal with heavy crowds, and a lot of travel time.
Thusly, many Vermont residents opt to turn to legal online casinos. Through these web domains, residents are able to play all the varieties of vide casino games and slot machines they could play at a live casino all from the comfort of their own home.
Vermont Poker Laws
Poker is, by far, the most popular means of gambling in the entire United States. For this reason, many states include loopholes in their legislation for poker to be considered a “game of skill,” and therefore not fall under the traditional definition of “gambling,” but Vermont, since it classifies gambling as “all games with cards,” offers no such loophole. Therefore, in a state with no casinos, there are neither standalone poker rooms nor casinos.
However, the state of Vermont will not interfere with private home games. Whether residents wish to gather among friends over a game of cards or spend a quiet night in playing poker online via a secure and legal server, the state of Vermont will not interfere.
Gambling Age: What's The Age To Gamble In Vermont?
Quick, what’s the biggest advantage to no sanctioned casinos in a prospective gambler’s home state? Easy…no minimum gambling age is required. In the state of Vermont, as long as a player is over 18 years of age, Vermont gambling laws say they will be able to sign up with legal online gambling sites without needing to worry about any penalties from the state for being under 21.
However, it is imperative that they wait until they are at least 18! Any online gambling accounts that are found to be fraudulent will be deleted and banned, and all the funds associated with the account, including winnings, will be forfeit, meaning the entire exercise in gambling was one in futility anyway. It’s well worthwhile for one to wait until they are 18 to attempt to gamble.
|
General |
|---|
| 18 |
|
Lottery |
|---|
| 18 |
|
Casinos |
|---|
| N/A |
|
Poker |
|---|
| N/A |
|
Pari-Mutuel |
|---|
| N/A |
|
Bingo |
|---|
| 18 |
Safe Places to Gamble in Vermont
On-Land:
Unless the state lottery is a prospective gambler’s idea of a good time, they are headed across state lines if they want to visit a casino. Vermont does not sanction any forms of gambling, and thanks to the state’s small size, there are no federally exempt tribal casinos to be found, either. If one is determined to gamble in Vermont, they best pack their bags, because they’re headed for a weekend in Atlantic City..
Online/Web-Based:
Luckily, despite the stark availability of land based casinos in the state of Vermont, there are several legal gambling websites accepting Vermont residents. These websites offer a risk free means of gambling just so long as the player chooses their website carefully. Due to the stringent state and federal laws governing the online facilitation of gambling, players will want to be sure and select a network that is located outside of the United States, as all the sites indexed on this page are. Once this is done, they are free to play poker, participate in casino games, or bet on whatever sports events they please!
While the prospect of gambling with a foreign company may make some Vermont residents nervous, there is no cause for alarm. Since these websites function as legal, legitimate businesses in their home countries, they are held to rigorous standards from both the laws of their country and the international gaming commissions that certify them. This guarantees secure financial systems and fair play for all users.
Trusted Vermont Gambling Sites
Bovada Sportsbook
Easy Deposits, Fast Payouts & Friendly Customer Service
While most international gambling websites may be legal and safe, they are still not all created equal. If you want to visit a website that has been serving Vermont residents just like you for well over 20 years much to the delight of all their members, you have to check out the Bovada online gambling network. As a member here, you will never have to waste any energy worrying about whether or not your money is going to a safe place, it will be so automatic you will cease worrying.
Bovada also means freedom – namely, the freedom to gamble not only from home but from anywhere in world that has a phone signal through the use of their top notch mobile app. Now, no matter where you are stuck you can bet on sports, participate in casino games and even play poker al from the most powerful computer you carry around in your pocket. With Bovada, you can gamble when, how, and most importantly, wherever you want!
More Gambling Sites For Vermont Players
Getting More Help:
While we are confident that all the information presented on this page is accurate, we are not legal professionals. Further questions should be directed to a lawyer or to the Vermont legislation at legislature.vermont.gov. By following the preceding link and reading the text for yourself, you can assess the possibilities of legal gambling in Vermont armed with the knowledge of Vermont gambling laws.