Age restrictions for gambling in the US
If you’re a US resident and you’re keen to enjoy a hand of blackjack, place a bet at a sportsbook or even get in on daily fantasy sports then you’ll need to make sure that you’re playing in line with the law. If it turns out that you’re playing while underage, not only will you find yourself in a whole host of trouble, you’ll find that you don’t even get to place your hands on your winnings. In this article we´re going to tell you more about the US gambling age restrictions.
When it comes to knowing the legal age for gambling in the US, there is not one straightforward number. The age restrictions in the US vary and depend upon the type of gambling that you want to be involved with as well as the state that you’re in. There are also different rules that apply to tribal lands.
It’s fair to say that the US takes minimum ages seriously and the majority of states and gambling activities require players to be 21. The most obvious exception can be found at tribal casinos where 18-year-olds are allowed to participate. While 21 seems to be the magic number, there are several exceptions and we’re going to explore those now.
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US gambling age restrictions – Rules for Live casinos in the US
As a rule of thumb, if you’re looking at visiting a casino in the US then you’re going to need to be at least 21 years of age. That means that if you’re wanting to visit gambling hotspots such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Reno you’ll only be making a wasted journey unless you’re 21 and you can prove it. However, there are states in America where this isn’t the case.
If you’ve reached the age of 18 and you’re keen to experience a live casino, you have four options. You can head over to any of the following:
- Rhode Island
- Wyoming
- Oklahoma
- Montana
In Oklahoma, it’s only casinos that don’t serve alcohol that are open to 18-year-olds. Where alcoholic drinks are considered, the age increases to 21.
Tribal lands don’t have to follow state laws and they have set their own minimum ages for gambling. The majority of casinos that sit on tribal lands will welcome those who are at least 18 years old. You can find these casinos in the likes of California, Idaho, New York and Washington.
US gambling age restrictions – Rules for Online casinos
As it stands right now, there are just six US states that have legalized online casinos. These states are:
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
These states all have the same minimum age for players at their online casinos: 21. These casinos will follow set processes and procedures to ensure that only players who have reached that age are able to register and play. There is simply no point in trying to get around the minimum age requirement as you can be sure that you’ll be the one who comes off worst in the end.
US gambling age restrictions – Rules for Horse racing
Horse racing in the US is a little different when compared to the UK and Europe. Certainly in the UK, horse racing is known as the sport of kings and, before her passing, Queen Elizabeth the second was well known for enjoying the races. This may have something to do with just how popular this form of gambling is in the UK. Here in the US, the reality is that horse racing is dying out.
The industry is keen to keep itself relevant and that’s why the minimum age requirement is lower than that at online casinos. It is set at 18 with a few exceptions. You need to be at least 21 to bet on a horse if you’re in any of the following states:
- Arizona
- Iowa
- Nevada
- Texas
Rules for Daily fantasy sports
Daily fantasy sports have exploded in popularity over the last decade or so. The majority of US states view this as a game of skill rather than being about luck. That is why they set a minimum age limit of 18 to get involved. However, as is usual in the US, there are a few exceptions.
in Alabama and Nebraska players need to be at least 19 years of age before they can wager on daily fantasy sports. In Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana and Massachusetts the minus age is set even higher, at 21.
Rules for Sports betting
When it comes to sports betting in the US, there are 20 states, plus Washington D.C, where this is legal. In 16 of these states, the minimum age for sports betting is set at 21 while five other states have different rules.
In the following states, you’ll need to be at least 18 before you place a wager on sports:
- Rhode Island
- Oregon
- Wyoming
- New Hampshire
- Washington D.C
The rules in Washington D.C are a little different than they are elsewhere. In fact, it’s fair to say that they’re even a little odd. To place a sports bet in Washington D.C you can only do this in person at kiosks that are situated near the capital One Arena and National Park.
Rules for Online poker
As of 2022, there are six states that are legally permitted to host online poker. These are:
In all six states, you’ll need to be at least 21 before you can enjoy a hand.
How does the US compare to other countries?
If you take a look at both the UK and Australia, all forms of gambling require players to be at least 18 years old. If you head over to New Zealand, you’ll need to be at least 20 unless it’s horse racing that you’re interested in when you only need to be 18. Across in Canada, the minimum age is set at either 18 or 19 depending upon the activity and the province that you’re in.
The majority of Europe has set the minimum age at 18 with Germany, Ireland and Belgium being the exceptions at 21. The strictest country seems to be Greece where you need to be at least 23 before you can gamble.
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