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Vermont lottery

On this page, you will learn everything you need to know about the Vermont Lottery, including if you can play the Vermont lottery online, the history of it, claiming winnings, and much more.

Johnny Covers By: Johnny Covers
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Though the state of Vermont is known for its liberal policies on most social issues, the Green Mountain State has taken a rather conservative approach to gambling. With almost all forms of gambling currently prohibited in the state, including casinos and poker, VT sports betting was launched in January of 2024 to keep up with neighboring states supporting the industry.

The Vermont Lottery, however, has long been a staple of gambling in Vermont, with all proceeds going to the State’s Education Fund. With a history dating back to the late 1970s, let’s dive into the details when it comes to the Vermont Lottery.

The Vermont Lottery explained

Headquartered in Berlin, VT, the Vermont Lottery is run by the Vermont Lottery Commission. In what is known as the Tri-State Lottery, Vermont is joined by New Hampshire and Maine in what was the first formed multi-jurisdictional lottery agreement beginning in 1985.

Starting with Tri-State Megabucks, the Tri-State Lottery has evolved to now include Megabucks, Pick 3 and Pick 4, Gimme 5, and Fast Play; combined which cover seven days a week of action. While the terminal-generated lottery is spread across the three states, each of them has its own scratch-off games.

Can you play the Vermont Lottery online?

No, you can not currently play the Vermont Lottery online, and there is no active legislation in the Vermont House or Senate to change that. You can only play the Vermont Lottery at participating brick-and-mortar locations, which include but are not limited to gas stations, liquor stores, general stores, and more.

After you purchase your Vermont Lottery ticket from one of the more than 600 different participating retailers, you can head online to www.VTLottery.com to check your tickets for winning numbers each night.

History of the Vermont Lottery

After a 1976 referendum in the Vermont legislature, the Vermont Lottery began operations as a state enterprise fund in 1977. With the final step being Public Act No. 82 by the Vermont General Assembly, the first game was rolled out in February 1978 with weekly drawings. By June of that same year, scratch-off tickets debuted as the Vermont Lottery’s first instant game. 

In 1985, Vermont partnered with neighboring Maine and New Hampshire to form the Tri-State Lottery, which only grew the popularity of the Vermont Lottery. In terms of Vermont-specific games, Pick 3 and Pick 4 were the dominant games of the 1980s, but by the 1990s a plethora of new games were added to the mix.

In 2003, the Powerball made its way to the Green Mountain State, as residents were finally able to participate in the biggest lottery game in the country. In 2010, the most popular lottery game in the United States debuted in Vermont, Mega Millions, which to this day produces some of the biggest jackpots of all time.

Claiming Vermont Lottery winnings

Have you just won a Vermont Lottery ticket? We have you covered below on how to claim Vermont Lottery winnings. Do note you have 365 days from the date of drawing (or the announced end of the game date for instant games) to claim.

Claim in Person

Depending on how much your winning ticket is for, you’ll have different options for claiming your Vermont Lottery winnings in person.

  • Less than $500: Head to any authorized retailer that sells Vermont Lottery tickets, or the Vermont Lottery headquarters in Berlin, VT.
  • Between $500 and $5,000: You can claim your winnings at the Berlin headquarters, or a People's United Bank branch anywhere in Vermont.
  • More than $5,000: If you’re fortunate enough to have won more than $5,000, then your only option is to head to the Berlin office to claim your Vermont Lottery Winnings.

Claim by Mail

No matter the size of your prize, you have the option to redeem it by mail. To do so, you must fill in a claim form, print it, and send it to the Vermont Lottery Claims Department at Vermont Lottery Claims Department, 1311 US Route 302, Suite 100. Barre, VT 05641. The Vermont Lottery notes to allow 5-7 business days for processing.

Paying Taxes

Every January, the Vermont Lottery will send out W-2G’s to every person who has won more than $600 on a single ticket in the previous year. All winnings are subject to a 28% Federal Income Tax, and a 6.72% Vermont State Income tax.

Can I claim VT Lottery winnings online?

No, you can not claim VT lottery winnings online, with all winning tickets being claimed either in person at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters in Berlin, VT, an authorized VT Lottery retailer (Less than $500), at People's United Bank location, or via the mail.

If you are a winner when playing the Vermont Lottery, you have 365 days from the winning date to claim your prize. It is also worth noting that you must provide valid identification when claiming your winnings in person, with forms of ID including a current state driver's license, passport, and more.

Cross-state lottery draw games you can play in Vermont

Along with Maine and New Hampshire, Vermont participates in the Tri-State Lottery which includes five cross-state games. Let’s take a look at each of the cross-state lottery draw games you can play in Vermont.

  • Megabucks Plus: Formerly known as Tri-State Megabucks, this game costs $2 per game and has drawings on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. To play, you pick five main numbers (1 to 41) and a Mega Ball number (1 to 6).
  • Gimme 5: Gimme 5 is the most recent draw game to be added, and gives Vermont Lottery players a chance to win $100,000 with every draw. Tickets cost $1, with drawings held Monday through Friday. To win the jackpot, players must pick all five numbers.
  • Pick 3: With a top prize of $500, Pick 3 is held twice a day, every day. This game is unique in that you can pick the amount you want to wager, ranging from $.50 to $5 per game.
  • Pick 4: Pick 4 is nearly identical to Pick 3, with two drawings per day and the same ability to pick bet size. The only difference is picking four numbers instead of three.
  • Mega Millions: Started in 1996, Mega Millions is played in 44 states across the country and is the owner of the biggest jackpot of all time ($1.537 billion) in 2018. The minimum jackpot each time is $40 million.
  • Powerball: Started in 1992, the Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the country. The Powerball draw happens twice a week and also has a minimum jackpot of $40 million.
  • Lucky for Life: Available to play in 14 states, the game costs $2 per game and requires the player to pick five numbers (1 to 48) and a Lucky Ball (1 to 18). With two draws every week, the maximum prize is $1,000 a day for life.

Vermont-specific draw games you can play

Because of its small population (compared to other states), Vermont participates in the Tri-State Lottery and National Lotteries. Currently, there are no Vermont-specific draw games you can play.

Instant win lottery games in VT

The Vermont Lottery is home to a few instant-win lottery games that give players the chance to know if they won (or not) right away.

  • Fast Play: Part of the Tri-State Lottery, Fast Play is similar to a scratch-off, but you don’t have to scratch. Instead, the winning numbers are printed on the ticket, and once purchased, you can instantly see if you have a winner. These are sold in dollar increments of $1, $2, $5, $10, or $20.
  • Fast Play Pro: The concept is the same as Fast Play, just with jackpots and bigger prizes involved.
  • Instant Win: These are your basic scratch-off tickets, which are sold in dollar increments of $1, $2, $3, $5, $10, $20, and $25.

Where do I purchase lottery tickets in VT?

Unlike other states, there is no way to purchase lottery tickets in VT via a mobile app or website. Only participating authorized retailers sell Vermont Lottery tickets, which in total include more than 650 locations. Let’s take a look at who those might include.

  • 7-Elevens
  • Drug Stores
  • Gas Stations
  • General Stores
  • Grocery Markets

Famous VT Jackpot winners

As with any state that offers a lottery, the Vermont Lottery has produced some big winners over the years. Let’s take a quick look at the most famous VT Jackpot winners since the Vermont Lottery’s inception.

  • October 2018: A Tri-State Megabucks ticket was sold in Colchester, VT, with a winning jackpot of $11.5 million. To date, is the biggest Megabucks winner in state history.
  • June 2022: A Middlebury, Vermont resident purchased a Powerball ticket that ended up winning the jackpot of $366.7 million. Per the Multi-State Lottery Association, the winning numbers were 8-40-49-58-63, Powerball 14, and a Power Play 3x. As you would expect, this is the biggest VT jackpot winner in history.
  • August 2022: A Tri-State Megabucks ticket was sold in Bradford, VT, with a winning jackpot of $1.7 million.

Is there a Vermont Lottery mobile app?

Yes, there is a Vermont Lottery Mobile app called the “Vermont Lottery 2nd Chance.” Available to both Android and iOS users, the app lets you scan draw and instant lottery tickets to see if they are winners. It also allows you to submit instant tickets for second-chance drawings, giving the ticket another opportunity to be a winner.

Currently, unlike some other state lotteries, you can not buy tickets through the app. In addition to scanning for winning tickets, the Vermont Lottery mobile app allows you to see eligible games, drawings winnings history, ticket history, and more.


FAQ

How many people play the lottery in Vermont?

It is estimated that 50% of the population of the United States buys a lottery ticket at a minimum once a year. In Vermont, that would calculate to roughly 320,000 people playing the lottery each year.

Do I pay taxes when I win the VT lottery?

Yes, if more than $600, you must pay taxes when you win the VT lottery. In Vermont, winners are subject to a 28% Federal income Tax, and a 6.72% state income tax.

Can I play the Vermont Lottery if I’m 18?

Yes, you can play the Vermont Lottery if you are 18+.

What is the annual revenue from the Vermont Lottery?

In 2022, the annual revenue from the Vermont Lottery was just above $31 million, all of which went to the State Education Fund as is the mandate.

How often can you play the lottery?

In Vermont, you can play the lottery every single day, with some live drawings happening twice a day on select days of the week.

Author Details

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers is a sports betting expert and author at VT Betting. Johnny brings over a decade of expertise to the sports betting industry. He has shared his betting predictions and analysis across various platforms such as FantasyPros, Betting Pros, Sportsbook Review, Golf Monthly, and OddsChecker.