Most states ban or else tightly regulate gambling. Commercial gambling and racetrack gambling are illegal in a majority of American jurisdictions. Some states still prohibit lotteries and, when they can, gambling on tribal lands. Exact details vary from state to state, so knowing the laws where you live is a good idea. Here’s a summary of Vermont’s gambling laws.
Gambling Laws in Vermont
Vermont bans most forms of gambling. The state bans gambling activities, the possession of gambling equipment including slot machines, and efforts to organize gambling in a place of business or elsewhere.
The major exception is for non-profit organizations, which are permitted to hold lotteries, raffles and other games of chance in order to raise funds for charitable, religious, educational, or civic purposes. Even non-profits are limited to a set number of events each year and must comply with specific restrictions on using funds and reporting them to state authorities. Political parties are also permitted to hold raffles to raise funds for the party.
The following table provides visual summary of Vermont gambling statutes:
| Code Sections | Criminal laws against gambling (Tit. 13, §§2133-2143b); horse racing laws (Tit.31, §§ 601, et seq. |
| Gambling | Winning or losing money or another valuable thing by play or hazard at any game. |
| Horse Racing/Off-Track Betting | Licensed horse racing is legal except on Sundays before 1:00 PM (tit. 31, § 607). On-track pari-mutuel wagering is allowed at horse races (tit. 31, 615). |
| Dog Racing/Off-Track Betting | Not specified. |
| Casinos Allowed? | No. Gaming houses are prohibited by law (tit. 13, § 2133). |
| Other Kinds of Gambling-Related Activities Allowed or Banned | Allowed: games of chance fundraisers sponsored by nonprofit organizations for charitable, religious, educational, or civic purposes (tit. 13, § 4143). Banned: bookmaking (tit. 13, § 2151); pool selling (tit. 13, § 2151); touting gambling (tit. 13, § 2156). |
Note: State laws are constantly changing, usually through the enactment of newly signed legislation but sometimes through higher court decisions or other means. You should contact a Vermont gaming attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
Related Resources for Gambling Laws
You can find more information state gambling laws and gaming law on these pages. For more information about a specific case, consider speaking with a local gaming lawyer.
