Research on Gambling Problems and Addiction: An Insightful Exploration
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Each jurisdiction in the world has its legal gambling age. Yet, because there are numerous places around the world and in the United States where you can indulge in casino gaming, the question is, “How old do you have to be to play in a casino?” read on!
To help you find more information on the gambling age in your jurisdiction, we have provided you with this guide to the legal gambling age in the USA and other countries worldwide.
The legal gambling age varies depending on the state and the gambling activity you want to engage in. In most states in the US, and certainly in Nevada, you have to be at least 18 or 21 to play in a casino or you should play at Fairgo casino. The gambling age in Vegas is at least 21 for all available activities, including playing casino games. Presently, there are 35 states where you can gamble online with 21+ years and 22 states that allow 18+ players. Below is a table of the gambling age by state in the USA. Here is a list of online casinos in the USA.
States | Casino | Bingo | Lottery | Poker | Sports Betting |
Alabama | 21 | 18+ | illegal | 21 | – |
Alaska | 21 | 19 | – | – | |
Arizona | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Arkansas | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
California | 18-21 | 18 | 18 | 18-21 | 18 |
Colorado | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Connecticut | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Delaware | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18-21 | 17 |
Florida | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Georgia | 18 (on cruise ships) | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
Hawaii | 21 | – | – | 21 | – |
Idaho | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Illinois | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Indiana | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Iowa | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | |
Kansas | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 |
Kentucky | – | 18 | 18 | – | 21 |
Louisiana | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Maine | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Maryland | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Massachusetts | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Michigan | 18-21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Minnesota | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Mississippi | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Missouri | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Montana | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Nebraska | 21 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 18 |
Nevada | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
New Hampshire | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
New Jersey | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
New Mexico | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
New York | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
North Carolina | 21 | – | 18 | 21 | – |
North Dakota | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | – |
Ohia | 18-21 | 18 | 18 | 18-21 | 18 |
Oklahoma | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Oregon | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Pennsylvania | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Rhode Island | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
South Dakota | 18 (at a tribal casino) | – | 18 | – | – |
South Carolina | 21 (on cruise ships) | 18 | 18 | 18 | |
Tennessee | – | – | 18 | – | – |
Texas | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 |
Utah | 21 | – | – | 21 | – |
Vermont | 21 | – | 18 | 21 | – |
Virginia | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
Washington | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
West Virginia | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Wisconsin | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 |
Wyoming | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
As you see from the table with gambling age by state, the types of gambling activities that 18-year-olds can participate in vary. The main reason is, of course, local laws and regulations. However, some common forms of gambling are generally accessible to those 18 and over across multiple states. Let’s consider them:
My advice is always to check the local laws of your state or any state you plan to visit for gambling to check age restrictions and other regulations.
Related: Top rated online casinos for the USA Players
In most states of the USA, a person is only considered an adult after attaining 21 years of age. This law dictates an individual’s legal status in society and is the basis for the legal gambling age in America, especially if you choose xxx slot machines.
In other words, if individuals under this age were to indulge in online casino gaming and rack up a huge gambling debt, their parents would be legally obligated to pay for them. For this reason, the gambling age in the USA is 21. Nevertheless, some states have made adjustments depending on the gambling activity and at what age an individual is considered an adult.
Different countries worldwide have the authority to set their specific gambling limits and restrictions and, by extension, set the legal gambling age across their jurisdiction. Below is an overview of popular destinations worldwide and their set gambling age.
It is one of the most liberal markets in online gambling. The legal gambling age in the U.K. is 18.
In Europe, there are many jurisdictions, each with its own set of laws governing gambling. Most European countries have set a gambling age of 18; however, some countries, such as Denmark and Estonia, allow individuals at least 16 to participate in pre-selected betting contests. On the other hand, Portugal has a legal gambling age of at least 21 years.
In Australia, you must be at least 18 to gamble and participate in sports betting and other legal casino gambling activities. Although online gambling faces major restrictions in the country, players from this jurisdiction can legally revel in sports and horse racing betting. If you are 18 years old.
Other than the national lottery, China restricts any other type of gambling. However, Hong Kong and Macau are considered special administrative regions in China where gambling activities are legalized and we wrote about gambling in Asia. To engage in gambling in these regions, you have to be at least 18 years.
If you are caught gambling and are not of legal gambling age, you might be legally prosecuted or put your guardians/parents in great trouble with the law. A gambler who doesn’t meet the legal gambling requirement is committing a crime for all intents and purposes, whether knowingly or unknowingly.
For instance, according to the Texas gambling laws, you’ll get a fine from 4500 to $1000 placed on your criminal record. In addition to that, your driving license can be suspended. It is even worse for the casino operator if you are underage. The government can blacklist the casino brand by rebuking their license and shutting down the gambling operation.
Thankfully, you can register and gamble through offshore online casino operators who provide a comprehensive casino lobby even if they may not have a license to operate in your country/state. This is a great alternative if you do not meet the legal gambling age. However, you should thoroughly check with your local state authorities to ensure that it is legal and safe.
The legal gambling age in the U.S. varies depending on your state of residence. Generally, you have to be 18-21 years old to wager at a legal online casino.
Generally, gambling addiction is not to be underestimated. You wouldn’t want your 13-year-old kid messing up and becoming an addict to wagering. The law should be strict for leaving adolescent teenagers a chance to get in trouble and wager all their parent’s salaries. The gambling age in the U.S. and other countries worldwide is almost always greater than 16.
Indeed, there is a penalty for underage gambling in the U.S., and it goes for both the player and the casino operator. However, the penalty varies in size and severity across different states.
No, you must adhere to the local legal gambling age of 21+ in states with that requirement, regardless of your residency status.
Yes, some offshore online casinos accept 18-year-olds, subject to the laws of their licensing jurisdiction.