Legal Gambling Age In Usa
Table Of Contents
From antiquity into the present, gambling has always been connected with the vices of human behaviour and regulated accordingly (both legally and socially).
Most of the time on a cruise ship, the legal gambling age is 18 years old. That’s a full 3 years younger than most United States land-based casinos. So, essentially you’re going to have to be at least 18 years old to legally gamble in the United States. Most casinos in the country are going to require that you’re 21 to enter. The legal sports betting age is always going to be over 18 because of this. Any game of chance or skill with real money involved will usually only be available for adults only. There is a legal sports betting age for the same reasons there are sports betting laws at all. Type of gambling Minimum age Relevant sections of the Act Gambling in casinos or other licensed gambling premises It is illegal to permit any person under the age of 18 to enter a licensed gambling premises. The only exception is licensed family entertainment centres. 18: 46, 47, 48 and 49 Gaming machine (Machine category: A, B1, B2, B3, B3A.
Today, most nations around the world maintain a minimum legal gambling age, ensuring that only responsible 'adults' (in a nation's eyes, at least) are given the privilege of engaging in such an odds-based activity.
Of course, every nation holds different standards regarding who can and cannot partake in casino gambling (among other types of regulated gambling).
These differentiated standards most often take the form of unique age limitations for specific gambling activities.
Not every country's gambling laws are exactly clear cut, so be sure to read up on local gambling regulations before travelling abroad.
How old do you have to be to gamble in the US
From Las Vegas to Atlantic City, legalized gambling has undoubtedly flourished in the United States over the course of its history.
However, due to its layered federal system of government, there is not a single minimum age for gambling across the entire country.
Instead, each state has jurisdiction to set a minimum gambling age for its citizens, with some states additionally setting different age limits based on gambling type.
The majority of US states maintain a 21+ age limit for most gambling activities. However, the majority of these 21+ states allow citizens 18 years or older to partake in specific state-regulated gambling activities, such as a lottery or horse racing.
Several example states in this category include Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas, Maine, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The best Slots online with a bonus!Register a free gaming account to play all the best Slots games.
Activate the New Players Bonus pack to start with a bang!
Play NowSome US states have kept their gambling age limits comparatively low across the board, allowing 18-year-old citizens to partake in nearly all types of gambling.
Only four states – Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota and Wyoming – allow 18-year-old citizens to make any type of wager while gambling. Meanwhile, a handful of other states – including California, Oregon, Wisconsin, Florida, and Indiana – only allow certain types of bets (such as pari-mutual wagers) from 18-year-old citizens (with the cap lifting at age 21).
Also, certain US states maintain situational gambling age limit regulations that modify who can and cannot gamble based on the location.
For example, South Dakota allows 18-year-old citizens to gamble at casinos on Native American reservations (being as these are the only legalized gambling in the entire state). Also, Michigan requires a person to be 32 before they can sit and play in a poker room.
How old do you have to be to gamble in the UK
Similar to the United States, the United Kingdom maintains a differentiate gambling age limit system that hinges primarily upon the type of gambling being undertaken.
Most forms of gambling and gambling establishments – including online casinos, bingo halls, betting shops, racetracks, and brick-and-mortar venues – accept wagers from those 18 years or older.
Will you Hit or Stand?Get two cards from the dealer and decide: are you going to hit or stand?
Register a free account to begin with a bonus!
Play Now
However, the UK does maintain several curious exceptions to this standard limit. Those looking to play the National Lottery (or any other public or private lottery) are free to do so from age 16 onward.
The same goes for betting on so-called 'football pools', thus allowing citizens to engage in a type of sports betting at a younger age than most other nations.
How old do you have to be to gamble in China
In China and all regions that fall under its jurisdiction, traditional gambling of all kinds is illegal.
This includes online poker applications, which were banned in 2018.
That being said, there are several state-run lotteries that citizens age 21 or older are allowed to participate in.
Also, underground gambling – including traditional card-based casino gaming and mahjong betting - is common throughout mainland China and lacks a regulated age limit.
However, China's 'special administrative regions' do allow some forms of gambling under their 'one country, two systems' method of governance.
For example, Hong Kong – which is still in the middle of a tremendous protest - allows betting on horse races, football matches, and lotteries (all of which are state-controlled, to a degree).
As under former British common law, these activities are limited to only those 21 years or older.
Also, Macau has a long history with legalized gambling dating back to the 1850s.
Today, it grosses more gambling revenue than any other city or region around the world. Within its jurisdiction, casino gambling on a variety of Western and Chinese games is allowed to anyone over the age of 21.
Greyhound and horse race betting are also permitted to the same 21-year-old citizens within Macau.
How old do you have to be to gamble in Japan
As in China, most forms of gambling are presently illegal in Japan.
However, several forms of betting (on horse races, motor sports, and football) are permitted within local jurisdictions to all 'adults.'
Prior to 2017, this 'adult age' threshold was uniformly set at age 20. After that year, though, the country decided to lower the age of adulthood to 18 (from 2022), while the legal gambling age was left at age 20.
One of Japan's speciality games receives special considerations when it comes to gambling age limit allowances. Specifically, pachinko parlours remain open to anyone over the age of 18 (despite it being socially considered a form of gambling).
Primarily, this allowance is permitted because of the structures surrounding the regulation of pachinko parlours, such as the fact that they (the parlor) cannot payout directly in cash and do not provide prizes within the same establishment.
How old do you have to be to gamble in Brasil
Currently, gambling laws in Brazil are in flux, due to a reluctance on the part of the government to modernize federal regulations.
As it stands, the minimum gambling age in Brazil stands at 18 years old. However, online casinos in Brazil and many other forms of gambling (apart from racetrack betting) are officially outlawed.
Despite this, there are six prominent casinos across the country. Bingo gaming and slot gaming machines were also legal from 1993-2004 before being re-criminalized.
How old do you have to be to gamble in Germany
Currently, the minimum age to gamble in Germany stands at age 18.
Though casino gambling has been around in Germany since the 1700s, modern casinos and regulations began to pop up following the Second World War in 1950.
From its relegalization to the country's entrance into the European Union, Germany held a state-run monopoly on all gambling (though private establishments are allowed today).
Also, specific gambling laws are differentiated within each of Germany's 16 regions. These laws require different levels of proof to certify one's age when gambling, such as an ID card.
The best Casino games - online!Get instant access to all the best Casino games in the world.
Register a free gaming account to begin!
Play NowThe promotion presented on this page was available at the time of writing. With some Casino promotions changing on daily basis, we suggest you to check on the site if it still available. Also, please do not forget to read the terms and conditions in full before you accept a bonus.There’s nothing quite like the rush of playing poker for real cash, but there is always a minimum gambling age involved. It can be really embarrassing to get turned away at the door while your friends go on to have a night of fun playing their hearts (and wallets) out, so doing your homework can really pay off. There is a bit of study required, as the legal gambling age to play poker in each state varies.
At domestic venues, the US legal poker age by state is typically set to a minimum age of 21 years old, but there are some 18 and over poker rooms located across the United States, as this age restriction is not federally mandated. There are also 18+ poker sites that are available to USA players. Below, we detail the minimum gambling ages for regulated domestic poker as well as each state’s age requirements for offshore gambling for real money.
Minimum Age To Play Poker For Real Money In Each State
- Alabama – offshore 18
- Alaska – offshore 18
- Arizona – 21 poker, offshore 18
- Arkansas – offshore 18
- California – 18 poker, offshore 18
- Colorado – 21 poker, offshore 18
- Connecticut – NO POKER (Thumbs down or sad face emoji?)
- Delaware – Poker 18 – Offshore 18
- Washington, D.C. – Offshore 18
- Florida – Poker 18 – Offshore 18
- Georgia – Offshore 18
- Hawaii – Offshore 18
- Idaho – Offshore 18
- Illinois – Poker 21, Offshore 18
- Indiana – 21 poker, offshore 18
- Iowa – 21 poker, offshore 18
- Kansas – 21 poker, offshore 18
- Kentucky – offshore 18
- Louisiana – 21 poker, offshore 18
- Maine – 21 poker, offshore 18
- Maryland - 21 poker, offshore 18
- Massachusetts – poker 21, offshore 18
- Michigan – 18 poker, offshore 18
- Minnesota – 18 poker, offshore 18
- Mississippi – poker 21, offshore 18
- Missouri – 21 poker, offshore 18
- Montana – 18 poker, offshore 18
- Nebraska – offshore 18
- Nevada – poker 21, offshore 18
- New Hampshire – 18 poker, 18 offshore
- New Jersey – 21 poker, 18 offshore
- New Mexico – 21 poker, 18 offshore
- New York – 18 poker, offshore 18
- North Carolina – 21 poker, 18 offshore
- North Dakota – 21 poker, 18 offshore
- Ohio – 21 poker, 18 offshore
- Oklahoma – 18 poker, 18 offshore
- Oregon – 21 poker, 18 offshore
- Pennsylvania – 21 poker, 18 offshore
- Rhode Island – 18 poker, 18 offshore
- South Carolina – 18 offshore
- South Dakota – 18 poker, 18 offshore
- Tennessee – 18 offshore
- Texas – 21 poker, 18 offshore
- Utah – offshore 18
- Vermont – offshore 18
- Virginia – offshore 18
- Washington – 18 poker – NO OFFSHORE
- West Virginia – 21 poker, 18 offshore
- Wisconsin – 18 poker, 18 offshore
- Wyoming – 18 poker, 18 offshore
States Where 18+ Online Poker is Legal - State-Regulated
These states have specifically passed legislation allowing state-regulated poker gambling within their borders:
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Hampshire
Legal Gambling Age In Usa History
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
With the exception of CT and WA, there are no states that legally prohibit players who are 18 years old and up from enjoying online poker games at offshore poker sites. Players in all other states are free to play real money poker as long as they are 18 and over. Here we’ve listed the industry’s leading online poker sites accepting 18+ players, as well as what their current bonus offers are.
| Poker Site | Bonus | Rating/5 | USA | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100% Max $500 | 4.7 | ||
| 2 | 100% Max $1,000 | 4.3 | ||
| 3 | 125% up to $1,250 | 4.3 | ||
| 3 | 100% Max $1,000 | 4.2 |
How Are Minimum Ages To Play Poker Determined?
Each state is its own self-governed territory. They each set their own rules and regulations when it comes to poker, both online and off. One of the many considerations for every state includes setting the minimum age for poker play, which usually aligns with its minimum legal gambling age.
Federal gambling laws do not provide a minimum age to play poker for real money. Thus, it is up to each US State to determine the age at which they will allow for real money poker at their domestic rooms or at their online venues (if such are regulated and allowed for by law).
Ages for domestic poker play begin at adulthood, or 18 years old, with most states requiring a legal age minimum of 21. Some US states may offer differing minimum gambling ages depending on the poker room in question. Alcohol sales and whether or not the venue is located on tribal land are usually the determining factors.
Why Are There Different Poker Gambling Age Minimums In The Same State?
It would be nice if each state declared a legal minimum poker age requirement that would govern all facilities located under its control. Well, in fact, they do, and land-based commercial poker rooms must adhere to these regulations. So how do facilities located within the same region offer different age minimums for poker players?
Native American lands are sovereign, and the tribal leaders are allowed to operate businesses in these regions (mostly) as they see fit, including the building of exotic casino resorts. Because these lands are sovereign, the local tribal governments can set their legal minimum gambling age limits. There are scenarios across the USA where the state’s minimum poker age is set to 21 while tribal poker rooms allow poker and tournament poker play beginning at just 18 and up.
There are some instances where states allow for 18+ poker play at local gambling venues, but some facilities within that same region require gamblers to be 21 or over. This is almost always due the poker room or card room offering alcohol as one of their many services. Because 21 is the legal drinking age in the US and is set by federal law, many facilities that offer alcohol prohibit 18- through 20-year-old gamblers from entering, simply to avoid any potential operational issues. Many bars and clubs that serve alcohol restrict entry to 21+ customers for the same reason.
Developing 18+ Poker Laws
State legislatures meet annually and have the full capability to alter poker laws within their borders as they so choose, including changing minimum gambling age requirements. Federal legislative bodies also have the ability to impose laws that are enforceable across all territories that the United States governs. Changes can affect the industry positively and negatively, so additional regulation is not always a bad thing.
Offshore poker rooms most often allow 18 and over bettors to be dealt in, but we’ve seen a few that require minimum poker ages of 21 and up. Read through the terms and conditions of your chosen offshore poker gambling site before attempting to become a member.
Additionally, if your state has a minimum poker age limit of 21 and older defined in its lawbooks, you may wish to err on the side of caution and wait until you’re at least that old before signing up with an online gambling site operating offshore. We’ve never heard of any 18 and up poker players getting in trouble for playing over the Internet in such states, however.
Depending on where you are in the country, the legal minimum poker age to play for real cash at a domestic poker room can be as low as 18 years old. The most common age requirement to enter and play at a poker room is 21 years old. In some US states, there are poker rooms that have different age requirements. This is often tied to whether the establishment offers alcohol as one of its perks.
There are a few states that offer online poker through their domestic casinos, and the legal minimum poker age to play will be the same age that is required at the physical locations they’re partnered with. That legal gambling age varies by region but is typically 21 years old. For those that don’t live in one of the US states where online poker is legal, then an offshore betting site is the best option.
Online poker is typically not legal to play across state borders, but this is a state-by-state matter. There is no federal law that bars the pastime in this way. While the UIGEA law prohibits the electronic transfer of funds across state lines for unauthorized gambling purposes, states that offer domestic online poker (Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey) have agreements allowing for interstate online play.
Legal Gambling Age In Usa Since
That said, most all states fail to address offshore poker sites in their lawbooks, allowing for legal play for 18+ gamblers online. Players that have yet to reach adulthood are advised to refrain from playing Internet or in-person poker for real money, as the penalties for playing under the legal minimum gambling age vary from hefty fines to potential jail time.