Legal Gambling Age By State
Thinking of testing your luck in the U.S.? Before you step onto the casino floor or to an online betting site, you’ll need to know if you’re old enough to play. Gambling laws in the United States can be surprisingly complex, with age requirements varying by state, activity, and even platform. Whether you’re curious about where 18-year-olds can gamble or wondering why Nevada holds the line at 21, we’ve broken it all down for you, state by state and game by game.
How old do you have to be to gamble in the United States?
The minimum age for gambling in the United States is usually between 18 and 21, but it varies by state and gambling activity. Here’s a look at how old you have to be for every US state by gambling activity:
What states can you go to a casino at 18?
Here’s a look at the states with land-based casinos that are 18+:
- California: At some California card rooms and tribal casinos the legal age is 18.
- Florida: The legal age for poker and bingo inside Florida tribal casinos is 18, but it’s 21 for casino games.
- Georgia: Georgia doesn’t have land-based casinos but the legal age for gambling on its offshore cruises is 18.
- Idaho: The minimum gambling age at all Idaho casinos is 18, but there are properties that are 21+.
- Michigan: There are tribal casinos in Michigan where the minimum gambling is 18, but it’s 21 at commercial casinos in Detroit.
- Minnesota: The minimum gambling age in Minnesota is 18, although there are only a limited number of games at casinos.
- Montana: Tribal casinos are 18+ in Montana.
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma’s tribal casinos are 18+.
- Washington: Washington’s tribal casinos are 18+.
- Wyoming: Tribal casinos are 18+ in Wyoming.
Will Nevada ever lower the minimum age to 18?
Nevada lawmakers see lowering the gambling age as an idea fraught with issues and without many benefits, considering most 18-year-olds don’t have much money to gamble with anyway. The last serious attempt occurred in 2017, and it went exactly nowhere in the Nevada State Assembly.
Plus, the casino industry has never ed the idea, mostly because of issues surrounding alcoholic beverage service and problem gambling. Apparently, the last thing casinos want is any confusion surrounding guests being able to gamble, but not order alcoholic beverages, or more problem gambling issues.
With little political or casino industry for the idea, it’s unlikely Nevada will ever lower the minimum gambling age to 18.
Who regulates the gambling industry?
In the United States, each state has its own set of laws either regulating or prohibiting different types of gambling. States that do permit casino gaming generally have a gaming control board that oversees the state’s regulation of the industry. Otherwise, states may employ just a lottery board or horse racing association to regulate limited gaming activity like a state lottery or pari-mutuel betting on horse races.
When someone says gambling regulation is a state responsibility, they mean that the federal government allows each state to make their own decision on regulating or prohibiting gambling, even though many forms of illegal gambling are federal crimes.
Does the gambling age differ for online gambling?
In 2021, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia were the only US states with legal and state-regulated online casinos. Although, various other states have legal and regulated online and mobile sports betting, and there’s legal and regulated online poker in Nevada.
The legal gambling age in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia is 21, with the legal online gambling age being the same for the top online casinos in these states. However, two states do differ in minimum ages for live casino gambling and online and mobile sports betting. These states are Colorado and New Hampshire, where the legal gambling age at casinos is 21, but you can bet on sports with online and mobile sportsbooks if you are 18 or older.
Do any online casinos have their own gambling ages?
Top online casinos almost invariably specify their own gambling ages. Of course, none of these specified ages fall beneath the legally mandated ages, but most operators require players to be 21 or older, no matter what the law says. The following casinos require patrons to be 21 to play:
- BetMGM Casino
- Caesars Palace Online Casino
- FanDuel Casino
- Fanatics Casino
- BetRivers Casino
- Bally Casino
- Hard Rock Bet Casino
- Betway Casino
- Bet365 Casino
- Borgata Casino
The only major operator which may follow the legal standard at times is DraftKings, which notably allows action at age 18 on its sportsbooks in Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Wyoming. There’s nothing wrong with this decision, however, as online casinos’ only duty is to remain in compliance with state law.
What happens if I’m an underage gambler?
Each state can set its own minimum age requirement for gambling and therefore its own consequences for underage gambling.
In most states, minors caught and convicted of underage gambling will end up with a fine of up to $1,000 and may have their driver’s license suspended for up to six months. They may also face possible prison time and a permanent criminal record. Underage gambling is generally a misdemeanor and parents who allow their minor child to gamble can also be found guilty of a misdemeanor, and possibly even have the child removed from their custody.
If it is discovered that a licensed casino knowingly allowed someone underage to gamble, the casino will be fined and may lose its license.
FAQs about legal online gambling ages in the US
Yes, but only if they meet the same age requirements as U.S. residents. International visitors must follow each state’s laws, so even if you’re of legal age to gamble in your home country, you cannot gamble in U.S. states where you’re under the legal gambling age.
Yes. In most states, the minimum age to buy lottery tickets is 18, but some states may require you to be 21, especially if the tickets are sold in venues that serve alcohol. Always check local laws before buying.
If DFS platforms are allowed in your state…probably. Many platforms set 18 as the minimum age. However, some states have stricter laws. Be sure to read the of service for each platform and your state’s stance on daily fantasy sports.
Typically, a valid government-issued photo ID is required, such as a driver’s license, port, or state ID. Online platforms also require identity verification through digital s, and may use facial recognition or third-party age verification services.
No. Even with parental permission or presence, minors cannot legally gamble where they are underage. Allowing a minor to gamble—even under supervision—can lead to criminal charges for both the adult and the minor.
