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PTLegal Online Poker in Vermont
In this guide find out the Legality of Online Poker in Vermont
Vermont may be known for its majestic green mountains, hiking trails, and picturesque wooden bridges, but not for poker. The Green Mountain State has austere gambling laws and prohibits almost all gambling forms except lottery and charitable gaming.
There are no land-based casinos or poker rooms, which means live poker is off-limits, including when played with friends at home. If you are wondering about the legality of online poker, no licensed platforms operate from within Vermont, either. However, this doesn’t mean VT players are left high and dry when it comes to playing online poker.
Stay with us and learn more about Vermont’s online and land-based poker laws and where to play this casino classic.
Is Online Poker Legal in Vermont?
No, it isn’t. Real-money online poker is unavailable in the Green Mountain State since lawmakers have not yet tried to legalize it. The state statutes clearly stipulate what games are and aren’t allowed:
“A person who plays at cards, dice, tables or other game for money or other valuable in a common gaming or gambling house that is maintained for lucre and gain, shall be fined not more than $200.00 or imprisoned not more than 60 days, or both.”
Experts interpreting the law state that it only targets those who run illegal online platforms, not individual players. Aside from that, the law doesn’t explicitly address playing poker on international sites. Many Vermonters leverage this legal ambiguity since joining these platforms is neither prohibited nor allowed.
Offshore poker rooms are based in non-US jurisdictions, so American authorities have limited legal grounds for prosecuting them. Plus, Vermont has no recorded instances of players being arrested for playing online.
Poker laws
Here is a piece of existing regulation related to gambling in general in Vermont.
Best Legal Online Poker Rooms in Vermont
The following segments will explore the online and in-person options for Vermont poker players. More specifically, we will discuss the best VT online poker sites and determine whether live poker is available anywhere in the Green Mountain State.
Legal Online Poker in Vermont
Due to Vermont’s adamant opposition to gambling, the state is unlikely to legalize online poker or casinos anytime soon. The only thing that might change this attitude is Governor Phil Scott’s recently sponsored sports betting bill, HB 127. This piece of legislation has already passed the House, and if the Senate gives the green light, Vermonters might place their first bets in January 2024. Although this situation sparks hope that online poker might be next in line, there is still a long way to go.
While state-based poker rooms are prohibited, Vermont allows social and sweepstakes poker sites and apps. They let you play for free, making them an excellent choice for beginners and those who want to sharpen their skills.
Another alternative is offshore poker sites, most of which cater to US audiences (VT players included). Many poker enthusiasts are drawn to them because they typically offer many popular (Texas Hold’em and Omaha) and niche poker variants (Raz, Stud, Badugi). Additionally, tournaments run 24/7, and you can choose among SNGs, bounties, knockouts, freeroll, and others.
We’ve evaluated many operators based on their license, game variety, bonus deals, tournament offer, rake, and payout speed and singled out several top candidates. So, scroll up and take your pick.
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Land-Based Poker in Vermont
Although the neighboring New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania all have regulated land-based casino industries, Vermont has chosen not to take the plunge. The state statute clearly says that any card game is illegal to bet on; thus, casinos and poker rooms are off-limits.
Some lawmakers tried to circumvent the law, like State Rep. Ronald Hubert, who introduced a bill in 2015 proposing the establishment of one gambling venue. Despite his 10-year-long efforts to push this idea and persuade the lawmakers that such a gambling venue would only bolster the state economy, none of his bills passed the committee stage.
Currently, the Green Mountain State only allows charitable poker tournaments. Nonprofits can host them only three times a year, and the maximum prize must not exceed $1,000 per game per day or $5,000 for one month, with all the proceeds donated to various charities. Yet many VT players opt to hit the road and search for poker action in neighboring states which allow land-based casinos.
How to Register on a Legal Online Poker Site in Vermont
Registering at any of our recommended poker platforms is a walk in the park, but you must be at least 18 years old. These are the steps to follow:Choose one of the poker operators
from the list and click on the link we provided to take you to the official website.Signup
Fill out the registration form with your name, email, phone number, address, and login credentials. Then, tick the box to acknowledge the casino’s T&C and privacy policy. You can also tick the box to receive promotional letters.Deposit & Play
Head to the Deposit section. Choose one of the available payment methods (cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, cryptos) and follow the instructions. The funds should be visible on your player account shortly after you confirm the transaction.Redeem the welcome bonus and make sure to understand the requirements that go with it. Remember that the poker site will ask you to complete a verification check before withdrawing for the first time. You will be asked to provide proof of identity by submitting a copy of your driver’s license or other government-issued ID.
Land-Based Casinos With Live Poker
As noted above, Vermont doesn’t have any brick-and-mortar casinos. The lack of a live poker environment has urged VT players to look across the border; thus, many go to New Hampshire, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Each of these states has several land-based gambling establishments (tribal or commercial) offering plenty of cash games, such as 7-Card Stud, Texas Hold’em, Crazy Pineapple Hold’em, Raz, and others. Aside from the regular No Limit Hold’em and Omaha tournaments, some of these casinos host major poker competitions, such as the World Series of Poker at Turning Stone Casino in New York.
Here are the most popular casinos Vermonters like to visit:
- Turning Stone Resort & Casino — 5218 Patrick Rd, Verona, New York 13478
- Foxwoods Resort Casino — 350 Trolley Line Blvd, Ledyard, Connecticut 06338
- Mohegan Sun: Casino and Resort — 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville, Connecticut 06382
- Filotimo Casino & Restaurant — 1279 S Willow St, Manchester, New Hampshire 03103
- MGM Springfield — One MGM Way, Springfield, Massachusetts 01103
Other Resources
Final Thoughts
Since Vermont has no commercial or tribal casinos, prospects for legalizing online casino gambling and poker rooms are slim to nonexistent. The state legislature has always been reluctant to accept new gambling forms. However, many Vermont poker players find hope in the recently proposed sports betting bill, which might mark a new dawn for other types of gambling. Until then, feel free to explore the list of offshore sites we recommend and start playing poker right away.FAQ
Is online poker legal in Vermont?
No, it isn’t. Vermont lawmakers have never made any efforts to legalize online poker. However, the state has never explicitly forbidden or criminalized playing it. All federal laws target companies, not individual players, so you can enjoy poker on international sites without fear of legal repercussions.
What is the minimum legal gambling age in Vermont?
You must be 18 or older to participate in charitable gaming, purchase lottery tickets, or place pari-mutuel wagers in Vermont. When it comes to offshore poker rooms, their minimum gambling age is also 18.
Are there any live poker rooms in Vermont?
Unfortunately, no. The state has no casinos, so live poker rooms are nonexistent in Vermont. The nearest live poker action is in New Hampshire and New York.
Are home poker games legal in Vermont?
No. Vermont law doesn’t make exceptions for home poker games played with friends. Nevertheless, we haven’t found any evidence that a single Vermont home poker game was raided by police.
Do I owe any taxes on my internet poker winnings?
Yes. Any internet poker win is considered personal income in Vermont, and you’ll have to report it to the Vermont Department of Taxes and the Federal Internal Revenue Service. None of the offshore poker rooms will keep the net profit or win/loss reports you need for tax purposes, so you must prepare them yourself. You should also seek legal advice from an expert before playing.