Some states offer limited forms of gambling (bingo, charity games, etc.) starting well before the age of 18, but all states require that players be at least 18 years old to bet on sports. 35 states set their legal gambling age higher than 18, which is unfortunate for sports bettors. In fact, the majority of the states have set their minimum age to gamble at 21 years old. However, there are some states where that age is set at 18. If you happen to have questions about what the legal gambling age in your state might be, you are in luck. Listed out below, we have broken down the gambling age for each of the 50 states in the U.S.

• Legal Gambling Age In Us
• Legal Gambling Age In Us States
• Legal Gambling Age In Us

Legal Gambling Ages By State

Each state in the United States of America has the right to make its own laws respecting USA online gambling, so long as they don’t supersede or contravene federal government law on the same subject. For this reason, many states have different gambling ages for various types of activity or even the same types of activity. For some states, they offer a legal gambling age of either 18 or 21 depending on which location you are playing. For example, in New York bettors can play casinos at 18 in the tribal casinos but must be 21 in the commercial casinos.

• Where the legal age in Manitoba, Alberta and Quebec is 18 and the rest of the country imposes a legal drinking age of 19. Gambling Ages for Europe. Most European nations have a uniform legal gambling age. Yet, there can be slight variations country to country. In terms of betting many countries set the legal gambling age at 18 years old.
• Minimum Age to Gamble in United States of America Below you will find the minimum legal age to gamble in various locations around the U.S., Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. In the 50 American states, some times you'll see a variance, this usually is due to Indian casinos having different age requirements in their casinos than state regulated.

* Only when on Casino Ship

States Where You Can Gamble At 18

Depending on the type of event, as seen in the chart above, you can gamble in many jurisdictions at the age of 18. For example, in Wyoming, you can play bingo, or bet on sports, simply by being 18. Jurisdictions are fairly simple – if you’re in a state, you’re subject to the laws of that state – but are important to keep in mind to make sure you are following the laws of whatever state you are in. Make sure you check both state and federal laws before engaging in these behaviors – the last thing we want is for anything bad to happen to you.

Legal Sports Betting Age

The legal sports betting age is a common topic of discussion amongst the gambling community. The basic way it works is that each state has a specific age at which it is allowed to bet on sports, but not before. This age could be the same age as for other types of gambling, or it could be totally different, depending on how the lawmakers in that state approached the legalization and regulation of sports betting. One thing to keep in mind is that some states do not have state-sanctioned sports betting yet. In this case, it is best to follow the online betting sites' terms and conditions.

Do I Have To Be 21 Years Old To Bet On Sports?

Simply put, you do not have to be 21 years old to bet on sports unless the laws of your state say so. There are 50 states in America, as well as territories such as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, and each of them has different rules about gambling. Make sure you check what the rules are in the state you are in.

Legal Casino Gambling Age

Casino Gambling is one of the most important and interesting parts of the gambling ecosystem. In fact, most casinos are the most profitable type of betting for the people running them – the house wins a lot when you play the slots. That said, the appeal of a slot machine is obvious – it’s a low effort gambling medium that allows you to play a lot at once. Casinos exist all over the world, and are more than just slot machines – they have poker rooms, blackjack, roulette, sports betting, and more. In America, though, casino ages of majority tend to vary based on states. Each state has different rules and regulations and restrictions on who can enter a casino and what they can do while inside a casino. It’s not that hard to gamble in a casino if you are over the age of majority in your state. It’s also worth noting that some states have multiple ages of majority – one for commercial casinos and one for Native American casinos.

Do I Have To Be 21 To Enter A Casino?

The answer to this question depends on where you are located. You have to be 21 to gamble at casinos across some states, wherein others you can be 18 as long as you are at the right casino. Generally speaking, the Native American casinos tend to have lower age limits due to the way those agreements were drawn up, so that would probably be the first thing to check if you are in a state that has those casinos.

Legal Poker Gambling Age

Legal Gambling Age In Us

Playing poker is a time-honored tradition, as poker is probably the most popular and well known of the games of chance. This section refers specifically to things like poker rooms in casinos, and USA online poker, as opposed to playing for quarters with your buddies in someone’s basement or man cave. As far as poker rooms go, the chart above should be useful – they obey the same rules as casinos in these states, and you should make sure to check your state’s policies before going.

Do I Have To Be 21 To Play Online Poker Or Enter A Poker Room?

Online poker tends to have an allowable age range of 18 years old, except where online poker is regulated and sanctioned by the states, which is in four states: Delaware, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. In those states, the online poker age is 21. In other states, it tends to be 18, as the online poker networks accept people above the age of 18.

Legal Lottery Age

The lottery is the most directly state-sponsored form of gambling, and in many states is administered by a special lottery department. Basically, the way the states justify running the lottery is they say the money goes to education – it serves as a supplement to the education budget. It is worth noting, however, that this tends to simply keep education budgets above water, and allow these states to not raise taxes by raising funds via the lottery.

Do I Have To Be 21 To Play The Lottery?

In most states, you can play the lottery at age 18. This is likely because the lottery raises money for those states, and as such they want as many people as possible eligible to play it. Only Mississippi, Louisiana, Iowa and Arizona restrict it to 21 and up but keep in mind that there are a few states that do not have lotteries at all.

Legal Horse Betting Age

Horserace betting falls under the category of Parimutuel betting and can be found under that category in the chart above. Horseracing wagers are some of the oldest types of wagers that have been placed in the United States, and are where many of our current wager types are developed from. Betting on the ponies or going to the track is a time-honored tradition, and one of the greatest ways to enjoy gambling on a wonderful afternoon.

Find the best USA online horse betting sites.

Do I Have To Be 21 To Bet On Horses?

The short answer is: generally, no. The long answer is it will depend on your jurisdiction – what state you are in – and the laws you are subject to within that jurisdiction. Many states allow pari-mutuel betting at the age of 18, Alabama restricts it to 19 and up, and several other states only allow you to bet on the ponies if you are over the age of 21. Make sure you check the laws and regulations of your state before placing any bets.

Legal Bingo Gambling Age

Bingo, weirdly, is one of the most unique types of gambling, partly because many people don’t think of it as gambling. Largely it falls under the category of pull-tab games, wherein you are given a certain amount of numbers, and those numbers are called, and the game is entirely based on the luck of the call. Pull Tabs and bingo have different restrictions in many states, so keep an eye on that.

Do I Have To Be 21 To Play Online Bingo Or Enter A Bingo Hall?

As with many of these questions, the answer is something along the lines of: generally no, but make sure you check your state’s rules and regulations because in some cases the answer is yes. It’s hard to answer these questions without knowing the details of where you live when you ask the question, as each of the 50 states has different restrictions on bingo and those different regulations on wagering can change how each one governs these types of games.

Daily Fantasy Sports Betting Age

Daily fantasy sports are a recent evolution in gaming and gambling and are one of the most fun ways to enjoy fantasy sports but on a more regular basis. They are generally regarded as games of skill, where knowledge and preparation are rewarded but are fundamentally also based on luck.

Do I Have To Be 21 To Play At DFS Sites?

This one is pretty cut and dry, across the board. You do have to be over the age of 21 to play at daily fantasy sports websites. When playing daily fantasy sports on these websites, please do not lie about your age – underage gambling can have severely negative consequences, and it’s better to wait until you are 21. There are a few states where DFS is not allowed to be played, so be sure you are able to play in the state you live in.

Side Effects Of Underage Gambling

The biggest thing to know about underage gambling is that you shouldn’t do it. Underage gambling carries severe risks to you, and to any money you may have made. Your money can be confiscated, and you can be charged with serious crimes depending on the jurisdiction you are in. No matter how well a gambler is doing, when it comes to handing over your ID, claiming your taxes, or collecting your winnings, bettors can find themselves on the outside looking in regarding their winnings. Some casinos and online betting sites will even permanently ban you should you be found gambling underage.

Legal Gambling Age In Vegas

In Las Vegas, the legal gambling age is 21, across the board. Vegas was, for the longest time, the epicenter of gambling in America, and it still is. The 21 year restriction was installed so that they could say they were doing everything possible to make it a responsible place. Now that other states are legalizing gambling at different levels, it could change, but for now, the Las Vegas gambling age is 21, no exceptions.

Gambling Ages FAQ's

When did the gambling age become 21?

The basic idea was that gambling was an adult activity, and casinos, by and large, all served alcohol. Because of this, the minimum age to get into a casino became 21 in 1984, when the minimum drinking age was raised, and it’s simply stuck since then. States can set their own guidelines, but they tend not to deviate too heavily from 21.

Is the online gambling age different than my state?

There are situations where this can happen, such as if you are playing online poker, a lot of those websites are headquartered outside the United States, and as such are bound by the restrictions of their jurisdiction. Generally, however, we recommend being above the age of legality no matter where the website you’re using is located.

What happens if I get caught gambling underage?

Anything from confiscation of profits to jail time via felonies. It’ll depend on what state you’re in, but the only thing you really need to know is it’ll be very bad for you, so don’t do it.

Are there any casinos where I can gamble at 18?

There are some Native American casinos where you can gamble at 18 due to the agreements with the tribes that gave them the right to establish these casinos in the first place. This is certainly something worth looking into if you are 18 and would like to gamble – making sure you are doing it legally is incredibly important.

Why is the gambling age 21?

That is generally regarded as the age of majority for things like this in the United States. For example, alcohol consumption age is also 21. I could speculate here about the United States’ puritan beginnings, or point out that it’s weird that you can sign up to go to war before you can drink and gamble, but I’m sure you’ve already heard that.

What is different about Native American casinos?

Well, basically, the agreements signed with the Native Americans entitled them to certain things, and in some cases, entitled them to open casinos with specified legal gambling ages that were not overseen by state agencies, and existed on tribal land. Thus, the laws are slightly different. Also, the majority (if not all) of tribal casinos do not serve alcohol if they let 18-year-olds in the door.

What is the gambling age in sports stadiums?

In a sports stadium, you’d simply need to refer to the age for sports betting. Many sports stadiums are working on implementing in-stadium betting, and it will obey the same laws as sports betting anywhere else would.

Why don’t they lower the gambling age?

Generally, the reasons boil down to concern for the welfare of children, which is a fair concern to have. That said, it’s worth noting that the age to join the military is 18 years old. Still, this would have to happen on the state level and legislators are definitely too focused on other higher priority changes.

What is the gambling age on cruise ships or in international waters?

On cruise ships or in international waters, the gambling age is whatever jurisdiction you are in. If you are in Costa Rica, you are subject to the laws and regulations of Costa Rica, for example. Over international waters, the age is set at 18.

Why is there a gambling age?

Because gambling is a risky activity, and we regulate certain risky activities by restricting them to people who are of a certain age. Gambling can influence the lives and welfare of people so governments ensure those who are old enough to make their own responsible decisions are the only ones who can gamble.

There’s a wide range of opportunities to gamble in the U.S. Players can find bingo, lottery games, poker, and casinos, as well as online gaming, depending on their location. When it comes to online casinos, players have access to online poker in Nevada, while New Jersey and Delaware have legalized online poker and casino gaming. Pennsylvania legalized both poker and online casinos last year and will launch services in 2019.

It’s important that players always keep in mind the legal gambling age to be able to take part in this activity, be it online or in land-based venues.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Gamble In The U.S.?

Below you will find the legal gambling age by state including the Virgin Islands, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Minimum Gambling Age At Land-Based and Online Casinos

Legal Gambling Age In Us States

In states that offer casino gambling, the age ranges from 18 to 21. In most areas, players must be 21 to take part. States have set age limitations when legalizing gambling within their borders and since most casinos offer alcohol sales, they limit the age to 21 so visitors can drink while on the premises. IDs are checked upon entering to ensure that patrons are the correct age to be on the gambling floor.

With online gambling, the age range is 21. Many lawmakers across the US have brought up that the legal age limit for online lottery games is 18 and yet for online casino games it is 21. We may see lawmakers decide to allow the limit to be changed in the future.

Age 21+ Welcome to Play at Online Casinos

Legal Gambling Age In Us

If you are 21, feel free to get your gaming on by visiting a local casino or reputable casino sites like BetOnline or Cafe Casino. If you are underage, practice with free online casino games until you reach the legal gambling age limit. Remember to gamble responsibly and enjoy your time getting to know the various online casino games on offer!