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Different states in the United States have varying minimum ages for gambling, as they possess specific laws regulating different types of gambling and can either permit or prohibit them. Generally, each state sets its own distinct age criteria for participating in gambling activities.
However, tribal casinos in the United States follow Federal Indian Gaming Regulations and state compacts rather than state laws, giving them the ability to set their own gambling age. As a result, it is typical for tribal casinos to have a minimum gambling age of 18, which is the lowest age requirement in the country. On the other hand, in most states, the legal gambling age typically ranges from 18 to 21, with variations depending on the specific type of gambling, such as sports betting, state lottery, or casino gambling.
Continue reading to discover a thorough guide on the minimum age restrictions for gambling in the United States. This encompasses a detailed state-wise breakdown and a comprehensive examination of the existing gambling age rules across the nation.
How old do you have to be to gamble in the United States?
The minimum age requirement for gambling in the United States can vary depending on the state and the type of gambling. Typically, it falls within the range of 18 to 21 years old. To provide a general overview, here are the minimum age requirements for each state based on various gambling activities:
| State | Sports Betting | Casino | Poker | Bingo | Lottery | Horse or Dog Racing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | N/A | 21 | 21 | 18 | N/A | 18 |
| Alaska | N/A | 21 | N/A | 19 | N/A | N/A |
| Arizona | N/A | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 |
| Arkansas | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| California | N/A | 18/21 (varies by property) |
18/21 (varies by property) |
18 | 18 | 18 |
| Colorado | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Connecticut | N/A | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Delaware | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Florida | N/A | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Georgia | N/A | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| Hawaii | N/A | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| Idaho | N/A | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Illinois | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Indiana | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Iowa | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Kansas | N/A | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Kentucky | N/A | N/A | N/A | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Louisiana | N/A | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
| Maine | N/A | 21 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 18 |
| Maryland | N/A | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Massachusetts | N/A | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Michigan | 21 | 18/21 (varies by property) |
18/21 (varies by property) |
18 | 18 | 18 |
| Minnesota | N/A | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Mississippi | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
| Missouri | N/A | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Montana | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Nebraska | N/A | 21 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
| Neveda | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | N/A | N/A |
| New Hampshire | 18 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| New Jersey | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| New Mexico | 21 | 21 | 21 | Open | 18 | 18 |
| New York | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| North Carolina | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 |
| North Dakota | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Ohio | N/A | 21 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 18 |
| Oklahoma | N/A | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 |
| Oregon | 18 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Rhode Island | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| South Dakota | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 |
| South Carolina | N/A | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | N/A |
| Tennessee | 21 | N/A | N/A | 18 | 18 | N/A |
| Texas | N/A | 21 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 18 |
| Utah | N/A | N/A | 21 | 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Vermont | N/A | 21 | 21 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Virginia | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Washington | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| West Virginia | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Wisconsin | N/A | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Wyoming | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
What states can you go to a casino at 18?
Get a peek into the states where individuals aged 18 and above are allowed to enter casinos.
- People who are 18 years old or older can legally take part in certain California card rooms and tribal casinos.
- In Florida tribal casinos, individuals aged 18 and above are permitted to play poker and bingo, whereas the minimum age requirement for casino games is 21.
- Land-based casinos are not available in Georgia, but individuals who are at least 18 years old can legally engage in gambling activities on offshore cruises.
- In Idaho, the minimum gambling age at all casinos is 18, but there are specific establishments that only admit individuals who are 21 years or older.
- Michigan has a variety of casinos, including tribal and commercial establishments, which impose varying age restrictions for gambling. In tribal casinos throughout the state, individuals who are at least 18 years old are permitted to engage in gambling activities. On the other hand, commercial casinos located in Detroit have set the minimum age for gambling at 21.
- Individuals in Minnesota must be at least 18 years old to engage in casino gambling, although it is crucial to acknowledge that the range of games accessible could be restricted.
- Tribal casinos in Montana permit entry for individuals aged 18 and above.
- Oklahoma’s tribal casinos extend a warm welcome to individuals who have reached the age of 18 or older.
- In order to enter the tribal casinos in Washington state, visitors must be a minimum of 18 years old.
- Individuals who are 18 years old and older are allowed to enter tribal casinos in Wyoming.
Will Nevada ever lower the minimum age to 18?
A bill was introduced in Nevada in 2017 with the aim of reducing the legal gambling age to 18. The bill’s sponsor made the case that if individuals are deemed fit to serve in the military, they should also be permitted to partake in gambling activities in Las Vegas. Regrettably, similar to its previous attempt a decade ago, the bill failed to generate significant interest and ultimately did not advance any further.
Lawmakers in Nevada consider the idea of reducing the gambling age to be problematic, with limited benefits. One major reason is that the majority of 18-year-olds lack the necessary funds for gambling. Moreover, the casino industry consistently opposes this proposal due to concerns about serving alcohol and potential gambling-related problems.
Casinos appear to be committed to preventing any confusion about guests’ ability to gamble without the option to order alcoholic beverages, while also addressing concerns related to gambling addiction.
Due to insufficient backing from both the political sphere and casino industry, Nevada is improbable to reduce the minimum gambling age to 18.
Who regulates the gambling industry?
In the United States, gambling laws vary from state to state, with each state having its own set of regulations that determine which forms of gambling are allowed or prohibited. States that permit casino gaming usually establish a gaming control board to ensure proper regulation of the industry within their jurisdiction. In instances where casino gambling is prohibited, states may assign a lottery board or horse racing association to oversee limited forms of gambling, such as state lotteries or betting on horse races through pari-mutuel systems.
The idea of gambling regulation falling under the jurisdiction of individual states suggests that the federal government grants each state the freedom to decide their position on gambling, whether it’s through regulation or prohibition. It’s important to note that even though certain forms of illegal gambling are considered federal crimes, this arrangement enables states to have their own authority in handling this issue.
Does the gambling age differ for online gambling?
In 2021, the US states allowing legal and state-regulated online casinos were limited to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia. Nonetheless, several other states authorized legal and regulated online and mobile sports betting, and Nevada specifically permitted legal and regulated online poker.
The legal gambling age in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia is 21 for both in-person and online gambling. However, Colorado and New Hampshire have differing age restrictions. In these states, individuals must be 21 or older to gamble at physical casinos, but they can engage in online and mobile sports betting if they are 18 years or older.
What happens if I’m an underage gambler?
Each state possesses the power to set its own specific minimum age requirement for gambling, leading to distinct consequences for individuals who partake in gambling below the legal age limit.
Minors who are caught participating in underage gambling may face severe consequences. In most states, they can be fined up to $1,000 and have their driver’s license suspended for up to six months. Furthermore, there is a possibility of imprisonment and acquiring a permanent criminal record. Allowing a minor to gamble is generally classified as a misdemeanor, which can also result in misdemeanor charges for the parents. In some cases, there is even a risk of losing custody of the child.
If a licensed casino is discovered to have knowingly allowed underage gambling, it will be subject to financial penalties and may face the possibility of losing its license.