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US Gambling US Gambling Laws Minimum Gambling Age

Gambling Age By State: Minimum Age to Gamble in the USA 2024

Updated: january 5, 2024.

Table of Contents

• * Casinos serving alcohol impose a 21+ limit
• ~ Only online poker is legal; no online slots or table games
• ˠ Minors can participate under certain situations (e.g. accompanied by an adut or for games with non-monetary prizes)
• NONE No legal gambling age specified in state law
• ˣ Legal but not operational/unavailable in the state

The legal age for gambling in the US varies between states. As there are no federal laws that specify a minimum age, all jurisdictions set their own legal minimum as decided by state lawmakers.

Most states set the legal gambling age to either 18 or 21. However, many jurisdictions have different minimum ages for each type of gambling. For example, you might be able to purchase lottery tickets at age 18 but cannot enter a commercial casino until you’re 21. Online and offline gambling also have different rules, regulations, and age restrictions.

• The minimum gambling age in the US varies by state, as every jurisdiction has its own laws and regulations for the industry. The legal age is typically either 18 or 21 years old.
• Different forms of gambling also have different age restrictions. Most states impose a legal minimum age of 21 for casinos and sports betting but 18 for lotteries, bingo, daily fantasy sports, and pari-mutuel betting.
• Not all states have legalized and regulated all forms of gambling. For example, if you live in Hawaii or Utah, all gambling is prohibited regardless of your age.
• Only five states have legalized online casinos, all of which have a legal age limit of 21+. If you’re 18, you can still play by joining a real money online casinos . All the best offshore casinos and the age they require players to be are listed below.
• Before registering for an offshore casino, consult the laws relevant to your jurisdiction. As all states have their own rules, what is legal in one state might not be in another.

US States That Allow 18-Year-Olds to Gamble at Casinos

When we use the word “gambling,” most people think of playing slots or table games on the casino gaming floor. Most states in the US have an over-twenty-one threshold for casinos.

However, there are several exceptions. North Dakota allows people aged 19 to enter casinos, and thirteen states permit people aged 18 into casinos to participate in casino gaming in some way. These states are as follows:

Rhode Island

Most of these states only allow 18-year-olds to gamble at tribal casinos. Under federal law, Native American tribes have the right to sovereignty. This means they can set their age threshold to anything over 18 regardless of the state’s age restriction for commercial casinos unless a 21+ policy has been negotiated in the tribal-state compacts.

However, federal law also dictates that alcohol can only be consumed by people over the age of 21. As such, all casinos that accept players under 21 cannot serve alcohol on the premises. A few states also allow people under 21 to enter non-alcohol-serving commercial casinos.

Legal Gambling Age for Online Casino Gambling

Only six states have legalized and regulated online casinos: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. You must be 21 or older to register for regulated casino apps licensed in these states.

Thankfully, offshore casinos accept players from the US as young as 18 . This makes them a fantastic option for anyone under the age of 21.

Below are the accepted gambling ages for all US players at the best offshore casinos for US players :

• * T&Cs state that players must certify that they are "at least 18 years old, or older in jurisdictions in which the minimum age for online wagering services is greater than 18." Therefore, for US states with a 21+ legal requirement, players must be 21 or older.
• ˣ T&Cs state that services are not intended for "people under 18 or the lawful age in their respective jurisdiction." This implies 21+ for states with a 21 minimym age for online wagering.
• ˠ T&Cs state, "If the age limit for gambling in your country is greater than 18 years, you declare that you are greater than the minimum age." Players from states with 21+ requirement for legal wagering must be 21+ or older.

Why Are Most Offshore Casinos 18+?

The legal gambling age varies around the world. For example, most countries in Europe have a minimum age to gamble set at 18. In Canada, the legal age for gambling is 19 for all types of wagering, from casinos to sports betting.

As offshore betting sites are located in foreign jurisdictions, they usually accept players as young as whatever the age restrictions are in the country in which they’re based. Common offshore jurisdictions like Curacao and Panama have their legal gambling age set at 18.

This makes offshore casinos an excellent choice for players aged 18+, as no regulated USA casinos accept people under 21. Offshore casinos also have several other perks, including a bigger selection of casino games and accepting cryptocurrencies .

Are Offshore Casinos Legal in the US?

As gambling laws vary by state , the legalities of offshore gambling sites depend on where you live. Some states have explicitly banned offshore gambling when updating their legislation. However, most states have ambiguous wording that puts offshore operators into a legal “gray area,” neither outrightly legal nor prohibited.

This ambiguity makes it possible to wager on these sites for real money, even if under the legally required minimum age imposed in your state. Most accept players from age 18, and no one from the US has ever been prosecuted for gambling offshore.

Are Offshore Casinos Safe?

Many offshore casinos are safe. In fact, all the ones we recommend have been vetted by our experts. They are licensed overseas, use SSL encryption technology, offer secure payment methods, and always pay out your winnings.

Unfortunately, rogue casinos do exist. To avoid playing at these sites and falling victim to scams, read our blacklisted casinos page . It highlights the main fraudsters to be aware of in the US gambling market.

Guide to Legal Gambling Age by State

If you want more information on the gambling options in your state, check out the information below. We’ve provided a summary of the state statutes surrounding the minimum age for all types of legal gambling in your jurisdiction – from casinos to sports betting, pari-mutuel wagering, lotteries, and charitable gaming.

NB: While we take care to ensure the information provided on this page is accurate, we are not professional lawyers. The following information does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice.

Alabama imposes a legal age of 19+ for almost all types of gambling permitted in the state. Unfortunately, AL is a conservative state with few legal options available. Your only legal options are:

Tribal Casinos

Commercial casinos are illegal in Alabama, meaning Native Indian casinos with Class II gaming are your only legal options for casino gambling.

The legal gambling age in Alabama is 19+, which also applies to tribal gaming in the state. However, you must be at least 21 to enter any casino venue. This is because they serve alcohol on the premises, and federal law dictates that alcohol consumption is for those over 21.

Daily Fantasy Sports

You can play daily fantasy sports at sites like DraftKings and FanDuel in Alabama as a 19-year-old. Alabama is one of the few states to outrightly legalize DFS after Gov. Ivey signed HB 361 into law in 2019, meaning the usual 18+ minimum for legal age for DFS is upped to the state-restricted 19.

Pari-Mutuel Wagering

Under Alabama Code §11-65-44, the legal age for pari-mutuel wagering at dog and horse racing tracks in Alabama is 19. However, in the counties of Greene and Mobile the legal minimum is reduced to 18 years old.

Charitable Bingo

Alabama allows bingo events for charitable and educational purposes only. The legal age for playing bingo in Alabama is set at 19. This age restriction also applies to anyone conducting or assisting with the running of charitable bingo events.

Casinos and sports betting are banned in Alaska. Even local tribes are not permitted to offer tribal gaming on reservation land. Your only legal gambling options and their age restrictions are:

DFS is not outrightly legalized or regulated in Alaska but is permitted as a “game of skill” rather than chance. Operators like DraftKings and FanDuel accept players age 18+.

Charitable Bingo & Pull-Tabs

Charity bingo is legal in Alaska for anyone aged 19 or older, as per Alaska Statutes §§05.15.180. Non-profit organizations are also permitted to sell pull-tab games for fundraising purposes, but this has a legal age restriction of 21 – the age limit was raised from 19 on June 26, 1993.

Arizona has legalized and regulated most types of gambling, imposing a legal minimum age of 21 across the board.

Land-Based Casino Gambling

There are over 20 land-based tribal casinos in Arizona, offering slot machines and table games that readily welcome players age 21 or older. Charities can also host casino nights for fundraising purposes for people aged 21+.

Sports Betting

Gov. Ducey signed HB 2772 into law in 2021, legalizing online and in-person AZ sportsbooks. You must be 21+ to legally bet on sports in the state. The new legislation also specifically legalized DFS, which now also imposes an age restriction of 21 for players from Arizona.

Prior to June 2003, Arizona Statutes §5-515 permitted lottery sales to people aged 18. However, it is now unlawful to sell or gift a lottery ticket to anyone under 21.

Players age 21 or older can purchase tickets for the Arizona State Lottery from licensed retailers in the state. You can also enter multi-state draws like Mega Millions at age 21, buying tickets in-person or online via the Jackpocket app.

The legal age for pari-mutuel betting, both online and in-person, is set at 21. Arizona Statutes §5-112 states: “A permittee shall not knowingly permit a person who is under twenty-one years of age to be a patron of the pari-mutuel system of wagering.”

Bingo is the only game you can legally play at age 18 in Arizona. You can play charitable bingo at events organized by non-profits. Arizona’s tribal casinos also run bingo events, but you must be 21 or older to enter the casino premises.

The minimum legal age for gambling in Arkansas varies between 18 and 21, depending on which form of gambling you’re undertaking:

Land-Based Casinos

There are no regulated online casinos in Arkansas, but several land-based casinos feature slot machines, video poker, and table game. To play any of these games on the casino floor, you must be at least 21 years old.

Arkansas sports betting (retail and online) launched in 2022 after HB 1942 was signed into law the previous year. Lawmakers agreed to a legal minimum age of 21+. If you’re under 21, you can play at legal DFS sites like DraftKings from the age of 18.

You must be 18 years or older the purchase lottery tickets in Arkansas. You can purchase tickets for the intrastate Natural State Jackpot and multistate games such as Powerball.

Pari-Mutuel Betting

Pari-mutuel wagering on horse races is legal in Arkansas if you’re 18+. Statutes §§23-110-405 says it’s unlawful for “any person under eighteen years of age to be a patron of the pari-mutuel or certificate system of wagering conducted or supervised by it.”

Online wagering at sites like TwinSpires is also permitted and imposes a 21 age restriction. Moreover, although all live dog racing has ceased, you can bet on greyhound races online via these sites.

Charitable Bingo & Raffles

Arkansas permits bingo games and raffles for charitable purposes for players aged 18 or older. The legislation reads, “no individual under eighteen years of age may play a game of bingo or purchase raffle tickets from a licensed authorized organization.”

California is one of the few states with a legal gambling age of 18 for all types of regulated gambling. There is not a regulated sports betting industry, but your other options are:

Casino Gambling

The legal age for casino gambling in California at licensed casinos and gaming clubs is 18. However, most require you to be 21 to enter the premises due to the sale of alcohol. This restriction is to prevent underage drinking rather than illegal gambling.

If you’re under 21, fifteen tribal casinos still accept players as young as 18. Examples include Casino Pauma, Eagle Mountain Casino, and Gold Country Casino.

California Government Code §8880.52. says that “no tickets or shares in Lottery Games shall be sold to persons under the age of 18 years.” The legislation also prohibits the payment of prizes to minors, meaning you cannot gift a lottery ticket to anyone underage.

The legal minimum age for pari-mutuel wagering in CA is 18, available at live race tracks, simulcast locations, and online. This was decided by the Racing Control Board rather than the legislature.

The California Penal Code §326.5 states that “minors shall not be allowed to participate in any bingo game.” Minors are considered anyone under the age of 18, meaning non-profit organizations can run bingo nights for participants aged 18 or older.

Colorado has legalized almost all forms of gambling aside from online casinos. The legal age ranges from 18 to 21 as follows:

You must be 21 to enter any commercial casinos in Colorado’s three mountain towns. The state’s two tribal casinos also impose the same legal age restriction. Available games for 21-year-olds include slot machines, video poker, and table games.

Sports betting went live in Colorado in 2020 after Proposition DD was signed into law. Lawmakers allowed the launch of online and retail sportsbooks. Regulations set a minimum age of 21 for both: “No sports bet shall be accepted from a person under the age of twenty-one years.”

In Colorado, you can purchase lottery tickets at 18; Colorado Revised Statutes §24-35-214 make it illegal for anyone to buy or sell tickets for intra-state or multi-state draws to minors. If your purchase a winning ticket illegally, your winnings shall be forfeited.

However, it is legal for lottery tickets to be gifted to people under 18 and receive their payout. The legislation reads: “The director may direct payment of the prize by delivery to an adult member of the minor's family or a guardian of the minor of a check or draft payable to the order of such minor.'

Under Colorado Statutes §12-60-601, you must be 18 or older to legally purchase pari-mutuel wagering tickets in CO. Only people age 18+ can also redeem prizes.

Charitable Gambling

Bingo and pull-tabs are 18+ gambling activities in Colorado, but anyone aged 14+ can “assist in the conduct of bingo or pull tabs.” Colorado Statutes §12-9-107 states that alcohol cannot be given as a prize, ensuring players under 21 aren’t illegally given alcohol.

Connecticut

Connecticut is a pro-gambling state, having regulated and licensed all forms of gambling. Age limits range from 18 to 21.

Connecticut has two land-based casinos, both of which are Native Indian gambling venues. As gambling is only permitted on reservation land, the tribes can set their gambling age to whatever they like. However, both have agreed on a 21+ threshold.

HB 6451 was signed into law in 2021, which allowed the state’s tribes to offer online casinos. These sites have the same legal minimum age of 21.

Sports Gambling

The passing of HB 6451 also legalized retail and mobile sportsbooks.  To place sports bets in person or online, you must legally be at least 21 years old. You can also legally play fantasy sports at 18+.

All lottery games are only available to people over the age of 18. You are only permitted to purchase tickets from licensed retailers.

Connecticut permits pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and jai-alai for people age 18+. However, without live racetracks in the state, you’re limited to online and off-track betting only. General Statutes §12-576 also prohibit anyone under 18 from being present in an OTB facility.

Bingo & Pull-Tabs

California permits charitable bingo and pull-tabs, imposing a legal minimum age of 18. You used to also be able to participate in charitable “Las Vegas nights” at age 18. However, legislation permitting charitable casino gambling was repealed in 2003.

Delaware has legalized most forms of gambling, with the legal age set at either 18 or 21. However, some forms of charitable gaming can be enjoyed at 16 or 17.

You must be at least 21 to enter a land-based casino in Delaware. Without tribal gambling venues, your land-based options are the state’s three racinos. These offer blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, and slot machines.

Delaware was the first US state to legalize online poker and casinos, passing HB 333 in 2012. The legislation prohibits anyone under 21 from playing real money online casino games.

Online and in-person sports betting is legal in Delaware if you’re 21+. The gambling laws state that “no credits may be redeemed by a person under twenty-one years of age… In the event an underage player attempts to claim any winning payout, the sports lottery agent should treat the wager as void.”

Like most US states, you must be 18 to purchase lottery tickets in Delaware. However, this legal minimum age requirement has been written into the state constitution (Article 2, §17) rather than passed by new legislation, making it more rigorous than many other state restrictions.

While lottery sales are prohibited for minors, you can gift lottery tickets to underage gamblers under Delaware Code Title 29, §4810.

Dog race betting is illegal in Delaware, so there is no legal age minimum. For pari-mutuel horse race betting, the legal age is 18. You can place wagers at live racetracks, OTB facilities, or online.

Charitable Gaming

Delaware defines charitable gaming as “any game or scheme in which chance is the dominant factor in the game and a consideration is paid to play and a prize may be won.” Therefore, legal games include blackjack, stud poker, draw poker, and horse racing games.

An 18-year-old age limit is imposed for all of the above types of charitable gaming. However, you can play charitable bingo at 16 or 17 in Delaware if the prizes are merchandise rather than monetary.

Most types of regulated gambling in Florida accept players age 18 or older. However, full access to casinos requires you to be 21.

There are seven tribal casinos and a casino cruise ship in Florida. These are the only places where you can find real-money casino games played against the house. You can enter the premises at 18 but cannot enter areas of the gaming floor that have slots and table games unless you’re 21.

As an 18-year-old, you can legally place bets at Florida’s land-based card rooms. Here you can play poker for real money, but banked card games are banned.

You can purchase lottery tickets for the Florida Lottery and multi-state draws at 18. Prizes can be given to minors if the ticket was “lawfully purchased and made a gift to the minor.”

In Florida, pari-mutuel wagering for horse racing and jai alai is permitted. You must be at least 18 to participate in wagering. Still, you can attend pari-mutuel events as a minor if “accompanied by one or both parents or by her or his legal guardian” (Florida Statutes §550.0425).

Florida Statutes §849.0931 states that “No one under 18 years of age shall be allowed to play any bingo game or instant bingo or be involved in the conduct of a bingo game or instant bingo in any way.” The same legal age requirement applies to charity pull-tab sales.

Georgia has a minimum legal gambling age of 18 for all types of regulated betting in the state. The unique gambling laws create civil liability for underage gambling alongside typical punishments for illegal betting activity.

Cruise Ship Casinos

Although there are no land-based or online casinos in Georgia, 18-year-olds can legally gamble on riverboat casinos. You must present valid ID when boarding the boat.

No laws explicitly legalizing DFS are in place in Georgia, so there is technically no legal age requirement. However, sites like FanDuel and DraftKings accept players aged 18. They’re permitted in the state as a “game of chance.”

Georgia Code §50-27-10 stipulates that you have to be 18+ to purchase lottery tickets, both for intrastate and multi-state games. Minors are also banned from using electronic lotto devices.

Charity bingo and raffles are legal in Georgia when conducted by licensed non-profit organizations. Under Georgia Code §16-12-58, you must be 18+ to participate in the events. However, minors can play charity bingo if accompanied by an adult.

Hawaii has banned all forms of real-money gambling. Casino gambling, sports betting, pari-mutuel wagering, lotteries, daily fantasy sports, and charitable gaming are all prohibited; thus, no legal age requirement applies.

The only form of gambling permitted is social gambling. However, this is limited to people aged 18+. Hawaii Statutes §712-1231 states that “no minor be involved in the game.”

The minimum gambling age for all forms of regulated gambling in Idaho is 18, as covered in Idaho Statutes §18-3801 and §54-2501.

Idaho is without a regulated online casino industry. However, seven Native American casinos in the state offer slots, video poker, and other casino games that you can legally enjoy aged 18.

Although Idaho has an 18+ legal requirement, some tribal casinos require you to be 21 or older to enter the premises. This is due to the operator’s alcohol license, as it’s illegal under federal law to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.

Idaho Code §67-7413 makes it illegal for retailers to sell lottery tickets to anyone under 18. Minors are also prohibited from purchasing tickets or redeeming prizes.

Idaho Code §54-2512, it shall “be unlawful knowingly to permit any minor to use the pari-mutuel system.” In Idaho, minors refer to anyone under the age of 18. Therefore, you can place pari-mutuel wagers on horse racing events in Idaho at age 18+.

Most bingo and raffles are for players age 18 or older; Idaho Code §67-7703 states that “no person under the age of eighteen may play bingo for a cash prize or in games where the prize exceeds twenty-five dollars.”

There is no legislation on legal ages for smaller, non-monetary charitable games, meaning that minors can play bingo for lesser prizes.

There are two minimum gambling ages in Illinois – either 18 or 21 – depending on the type of regulated gambling you’re undertaking.

Charitable and riverboat casino gambling is legal in Illinois, but the minimum age limit differs. You can partake in casino gaming run by charities at 18+ (Illinois Revised Statutes Chapter 230, § 30/8).

However, you’re banned from entering the gaming areas on riverboat casinos under the age of 21 (Illinois Revised Statutes Chapter 230, §10/11). The only exception is for underage employees, who are welcome aboard but cannot “perform any function involved in gambling” as part of their job.

Sports Wagering

The Illinois Sports Wagering Act sets the legal age for sports betting at 21. This age restriction applies to wagering at retail and mobile sportsbooks.

If you’re only 18, you can legally participate in fantasy sports contests at sites like DraftKings.

You must be at least 18 to place pari-mutuel bets on horse racing events in Illinois. Online horse race betting is also permitted for people aged 18+.

Under the Illinois Gaming Act (Illinois Statutes §1605/15), you’re banned from purchasing lottery tickets in Illinois if you are under 18. It is also illegal for adults to buy tickets and gift them to minors, stating that “no person shall… buy a lottery ticket or share for any minor under 18 years.”

Like charitable casino gambling, charity bingo and pull-tabs are legal for anyone aged 18+. Minors can be in an area where these events are happening, but only when accompanied by an adult.

Indiana state law makes most types of gambling legal, with the exception of online casinos.

Indiana has many types of casinos, including riverboat casinos, tribal casinos, commercial casinos, and racinos. All kinds of casino property require you to be at least 21 years old to enter the premises.

State-licensed sportsbooks in Indiana launched in October 2019. Both online and retail sportsbooks are limited to bettors age 21+. IA sports betting legislation also prohibits betting on athletes who are under the age of 18.

Eighteen-year-olds can play fantasy sports in Indiana. The state outrightly legalized and regulated DFS in 2016 (Senate Enrolled Act 339-2016) and established a minimum age of 18+.

Intrastate and multi-state lottery draws are legal in Indiana for anyone over the age of 18. However, Indiana Code § 4-30-12-1 “does not prohibit the purchase of a lottery ticket for the purpose of making a gift to a minor.”

To place pari-mutuel bets on horse racing events, you must be 18. However, Indiana Code §4-31-6-5 states that the Racing Commission can license applicants who are 16+, as long as it is accompanied by a notarized statement from the parent or guardian.

The regulations surrounding charitable gaming are detailed in the 68 Indiana Administrative Code 21.

This legal code states that “an organization may not permit a person less than eighteen (18) years of age to play or participate in an allowable event activity.” However, people under 18 can participate in non-gaming activities during the event.

A minimum gambling age of 21+ applies to all forms of gambling in Iowa. This is dictated by Iowa Statutes §725.19, which states that “any person under the age of twenty-one years shall not make or attempt to make a gambling wager.”

Casinos in Iowa

As per the aforementioned law, you must legally be 21 or older to play slots and table games for real money in Iowa. Iowa used to permit 18-year-olds to gamble at riverboat casinos in the state, but the legal age was increased to 21 in 1989.

People under the age of 21 are also forbidden from entering or attempting to enter the gaming floor or wagering area (Iowa Code §99F.9), so all casinos have a strict over-21 policy.

Online & Retail Sportsbooks

To legally bet on sports in Iowa – both in-person and online – you must be 21+. You can legally bet on college sports teams with players under the age of 21. However, the state doesn’t allow proposition bets on individual college athletes.

Most US states allow 18-year-olds to enter fantasy sports contests. However, Iowa upholds its 21+ gambling policy for DFS tournaments.

You have to be at least 21 years old to purchase Iowa Lottery tickets.

However, lottery tickets can be gifted to minors: Chapter 99G of the Iowa Code “does not prohibit the lawful purchase of a lottery ticket or share for the purpose of making a gift to a person who has not reached the age of twenty-one.”

Pari-Mutual Betting

Chapter 99D.11 states, “a person under the age of twenty-one years shall not make or attempt to make a pari-mutuel wager.”

Bingo & Charitable Gaming

The only exception to the strict 21+ age restriction imposed in Iowa Statutes §725.19 is related to charitable gaming. Under Chapter 99B, there is no prohibition of anyone under 21 from playing bingo, even for games with cash jackpots of up to $800. 

In Iowa, card games are also permitted for fundraising purposes. This is the only type of charitable gaming with a legal age requirement: “Participants in a card game tournament shall be at least twenty-one years of age.”

Although a historically conservative state, the Kansas gambling industry has expanded over the past 15 years to include commercial casinos and sports betting.

Kansas is home to six tribal and four commercial casinos. The state’s four commercial casinos require you to be 21+ to enter the premises and play any of their games.

Five of the six Native Indian casinos also adhere to this age limit. However, the Golden Eagle Casino is one exception. Eighteen-year-olds can enter the casino gaming floor and play select Class II slot machines. This is permitted despite Kansas’ legal minimum set as 21 as the tribes enjoy sovereignty.

Online and retail sports betting launched in Kansas in 2022 after SB 84 was signed into law. The new legislation set the legal age for sports wagering at 21 or older.

You must be 18 or older to purchase lottery tickets in Kansas, both for multi- and intra-state draws. It is also illegal to gift lottery tickets to minors, who are prohibited from claiming any prizes won on a Kansas Lottery ticket.

Kansas Statutes §§74-8708, 74-8718, and 74-8722 also have additional wording that prohibits the Lottery from hiring anyone under 18 for appearing in lottery advertisements.  

Pari-mutuel betting is legal in Kansas for anyone over the age of 18. The ban on children appearing in lottery commercials also applies to advertisements promoting pari-mutuel wagering.

Bingo and Pull-Tabs

You can play bingo at tribal casinos in Kansas. Most welcome players age 18 but bar bettors under the age of 21 from entering the casino gaming floor (The Golden Eagle Casino is the sole exception).

Eighteen-year-olds can also legally partake in charitable gambling events held by non-profits, such as charity bingo games and pull-tabs. As per Kansas Statutes §79-4706, minors are forbidden from helping with the running or organization of these charitable events.

All bettors in Kentucky must be 18 or older, regardless of the gambling activity. However, without commercial casinos or sports betting, your legal options are limited to the following:

There are plenty of options for horse race betting in Kentucky, such as wagering on the Kentucky Derby and other racing events at OTB facilities or online racebooks. All are legally accessible to people aged 18+.

Kentucky Revised Statutes §154A.990 requires all lottery ticket purchasers to be 18+.

However, §154A.110 “does not prohibit the purchase of a ticket by a person eighteen years of age or older for the purpose of making a gift to any person of any age,” allowing lawfully bought tickets to be gifted to minors.

Charitable Bingo Games

Under Kentucky Revised Statutes §238.545, qualifying charitable organizations can legally conduct bingo events. All participants must be 18 or older unless “he or she is playing for noncash prizes and is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and only if the value of any noncash prize awarded does not exceed ten dollars.”

Casino-Style Games

Casino gambling is banned in Kentucky, but games of skill are permitted. Many slot-like games proliferated across Kentucky from 2021 onward, operating in a legal “gray area” as a game of skill.

These casino-like games can be found at racetracks and “casino” venues in the state and are available to 18-year-olds. However, HB 594 was signed into law in 2023 that banned these unregulated machines. Under this new legislation, playing these slot-like games is prohibited.

Louisiana has legalized all forms of gambling apart from online casinos. It imposes an over-18 restriction on charitable bingo and pari-mutuel wagering. For casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and DFS, you must be 21+.

Louisiana used to have a minimum gambling age for lottery sales set to 18. This legal minimum was increased to 21+ in 1998. Adults can lawfully purchase tickets to gift to minors.

Under LA Revised Statute § 14:90.5, it is “unlawful for any person under twenty-one years of age to play casino games, gaming devices, or slot machines.”

It is also prohibited for people under 21 to enter the gaming area of riverboat casinos or gaming floors at pari-mutuel venues licensed to offer casino games. Anyone who violates the law shall be “fined not more than five hundred dollars and may be imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.”

You must be 21 or older to wager at a regulated Louisiana sportsbook (Louisiana Statute 27 § 608). It is also a legal requirement for sportsbook operators to confirm that the player is of legal age before accepting their wager.

The launch of legal sports betting also legalized DFS in the Pelican State. You must be 21+ to enter paid fantasy sports contests.

It is unlawful for any person under 18 to place pari-mutuel bets on horse racing events both off- and online. Accompanied minors may attend live racing events, but attendees aged 18 or younger cannot enter designated wagering areas.

Louisiana state law prohibits people under 18 from assisting in “the holding, operation, or conduct of any game of chance.” However, there is no prohibition on minors participating in the events.

According to the Office of Charitable Gaming, “the law does not prohibit people under the age of 18 from playing charitable gaming activities. However, persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to play electronic video bingo devices.”

The minimum gambling age in Maine ranges from 16 to 21, depending on the type of gambling being undertaken.

You can play slot machines and table games at two land-based casinos in Maine. Maine Revised Statutes Title 8, §1031 imposes a legal age limit of 21 or older for these games.

The law also states that operators must “prohibit persons under 21 years of age from any area in which a slot machine or table game is located.” The exception is for licensed employees who can work in a casino from the age of 18.

Maine legalized sports betting in 2022, allowing up to four mobile and ten retail operators. However, the Gambling Control Unit has yet to award any licenses. When sportsbooks go live, a minimum legal age of 21+ will apply for online and in-person wagering.

The state allows betting at live racetracks, off-track betting locations, and online racebooks. You can legally place pari-mutuel bets on horse races at age 18. However, you can enter off-track betting facilities at age 16 (Maine Revised Statutes Title 8, §§275-D).

The law is strict over how close minors can get to betting windows, prohibiting a “person under the age of 18 within 15 feet of a betting window or other place for accepting wagers.” 

In Maine, lottery tickets are only available to purchase if you’re 18+. Adults are also banned from buying tickets to gift to minors.

However, the law does not impose any real punishment for illegal lottery sales. There is no penalty for minors purchasing a ticket underage, and retailers who unlawfully sell lottery tickets are charged with civil punishments only.

Charitable bingo or “beano” has a legal minimum age of 16. Children under 16 can attend bingo events if accompanied by a parent or guardian, but they cannot participate. Bingo licenses cannot be issued to non-profits that are “composed wholly or primarily of persons under 16 years of age.” (Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17, §319).

The legal age for most forms of gambling in Maryland is 21. However, its state law has several unique quirks compared to other US jurisdictions.

Commercial casinos are a new addition to Maryland. Slots were legalized in 2008, and table games were prohibited until 2012. You have to be 21+ to legally enter a casino and play these games.

Under MD Criminal Law Code § 13-404, charities are also permitted to offer casino gaming, including card tournaments. To participate in the event, an individual must be at least 21 years old. However, “to volunteer as an operator of a card game, card tournament, or casino event, an individual shall be at least 18 years old.”

Retail & Online Sportsbooks

Retail sportsbooks opened in Maryland in December 2021, followed by high-limit online sportsbooks in November 2022. You must be at least 21 to place sports wagers online and in person.

Interestingly, wagering on college sports is permitted despite many college teams having athletes under 21. In fact, there is no ban regardless of where they play, even for Maryland’s own teams. Betting on high school sports is illegal.

Pari-mutuel wagering is legal at racetracks, off-track betting locations, and online in Maryland. To legally participate, you must be 18+.

It is unlawful for retailers to sell lottery tickets to anyone under 18. Similarly, people under 18 are banned from purchasing lottery tickets. However, Maryland State Government Code §§9-124 does not prohibit “buying a State lottery ticket or share as a gift for a minor.”

Maryland also imposes a restriction on the age of lottery sellers, which must be 21 or older (Maryland State Government Code § 9-112).

Maryland laws on bingo are unique. Individual statutes have been passed for each county rather than a single law governing bingo throughout the state. Some counties permit 16-year-olds to play bingo; others have a minimum age of 18.

Massachusetts

Most gambling options in Massachusetts mandate that you’re 21+. The lottery and pari-mutuel betting are permitted at 18 years old.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 10, §§29 sets a clear 18+ policy for lottery sales: “No ticket or share shall be sold to any person under age eighteen.” However, adults “may purchase a ticket or share for the purpose of making a gift to a person under age eighteen.”

You can legally bet on horse races at age 18 in Massachusetts. Any operator permitting minors to participate in pari-mutuel wagering shall be “punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.”

Eighteen-year-olds are legally allowed to participate in charitable bingo, referred to as “beano.”

Minors are also explicitly banned from entering the building while events are on: “No person under 18 years of age shall be permitted in that portion of any building or premises of the licensee during such time as such game is being played.” (Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 10, §§ 38).

Slot Machines & Table Games

You must be 21+ to partake in casino gambling in Maryland. Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 23 §§ 43 is clear on the penalties for underage gambling, punishing underage players with “a fine not to exceed $1,000.”

The legislation also prohibits adults from betting or collecting winnings on behalf of a minor. They can receive up to six months imprisonment and fines of $1,000.

Massachusetts gambling laws prohibit anyone under 21 from wagering on sporting events. Mass. General Laws Chapter 23N § 13 reads, “An operator shall not accept a wager from a person who is less than 21 years of age.”

Unlike most states, the legal age for DFS in Massachusetts is also set at 21+.

It is illegal in Michigan for anyone under 18 to gamble. However, some forms of gambling are limited to people aged 21+.

Lottery tickets can only be purchased by individuals aged 18+. Under Michigan Compiled Laws §§432.29, licensees that knowingly sell tickets to underage players are guilty of a misdemeanor. Lawfully purchased tickets can be gifted to people under the age of 18.

Pari-Mutuel Race Betting

The “Racing Law of 1980” puts the legal gambling age for pari-mutuel wagering at 18.

The legal age for land-based casino gambling in Michigan ranges from 18 to 21, depending on the property in question. Casinos regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) impose a minimum age of 21. This is the minimum gambling age according to state law.

However, Michigan is home to several tribal casinos not overseen by the MGCB. Most tribal casinos have an 18+ limitation. Meanwhile, the Odawa Casino in Petoskey accepts players age 19+, and four Native American casinos have the same legal age limit as the state: 21.

Online casino gambling is also legal in Michigan. It is governed by the MGCB, meaning a 21 or older age limit applies for all real-money online slots, table games, and video poker games.

According to the Lawful Sports Betting Act, an “authorized participant” for sports wagering is someone who is “at least 21 years of age.” Professional and college sports betting is permitted.

Charity Gambling

Charitable bingo and pull-tabs are legal in Michigan for players age 18+. Like lottery tickets, charity pull-tabs can be lawfully purchased and gifted to minors. (Michigan Compiled Laws §432.107a).

Authorized non-profits are also permitted to run “millionaire parties,” which are essentially casino nights. Michigan Compiled Laws §432.305 states that people under 18 cannot participate in the party as players, operate millionaire party games, assist in the conduct of the event, or even handle any type of casino gaming equipment.

Minnesota residents can legally start gambling at the age of 18. The exception is for commercial casinos that require players to be 21.

Minnesota has commercial and tribal land-based casinos. All commercial casinos have a strict 21 or older policy. However, the minimum gambling age at tribal casinos in Minnesota is 18. As the tribes have sovereignty, they can set their own legal age limits for gambling.

Some tribal gambling venues do have a 21+ limit due to alcohol licensing requirements.

Under current gambling regulation, Minnesota Statutes §609.75 and 609.76, sports betting is illegal. If it were to be legalized, a minimum age of 18+ is expected.

Minnesota Statutes §§240.25 reads, “A person under the age of 18 may not place a bet or present a pari-mutuel ticket for payment with an approved pari-mutuel system or participate in card playing at a card club at a licensed racetrack.”

You can legally purchase lottery tickets in Minnesota at the age of 18.

Minnesota Statutes §349A.12 also prohibits people under 18 from redeeming a lottery prize, inferring that gifting tickets to minors is not allowed. This is confirmed in Subd. 5: “Nothing in this chapter prohibits giving a state lottery ticket as a gift, provided that a state lottery ticket may not be given to a person under the age of 18.”

Non-profit organizations can conduct bingo, pull-tabs, and raffles for fundraising purposes. You must be 18 or older to participate unless “the underage person is accompanied by a parent or guardian.”

Mississippi

Mississippi is one of the strictest imposers of its minimum age limit for gambling. Underage players have to return the winnings, and operators cannot claim they thought the player was of age.

Commercial & Tribal Casinos

Mississippi has 26 commercial casinos and three tribal casinos. Regardless of the venue, the age requirement for casino patrons is set firmly at 21. People under this age are prohibited from playing casino games, collecting winnings, or being employed by the operator.

Under Mississippi Code §75-76-155, underage gamblers can be fined up to $1,000 and/or imprisoned in county jail for up to six months.

The minimum gambling age for betting at state-regulated sportsbooks is 21. Mississippi has only legalized retail sports betting at licensed casinos; online sports wagering is prohibited.  

Charity Bingo Games

You can participate in charity bingo events at 18 in Mississippi. Underage players can join the games if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Interestingly, non-profits can choose to exclude anyone under 18 and prohibit them from entering the premises. (Mississippi Code §97-33-67).

Anyone 21 years of age or older can play any of the Mississippi Lottery games, including scratch games, intrastate draws, and multistate draws.

Lottery tickets can be gifted to people under the age of 21. However, the claimant for winning tickets must be 21+. If a minor gifted a winning lottery ticket wins, a parent or legal representative must collect the prize on behalf of the child.

Missouri is without online and retail sportsbooks and online casinos, but several land-based forms of gambling are permitted. The legal gambling age for these ranges from 16 to 21.

Lottery tickets can only be sold to players age 18+. However, minors can collect winnings if gifted a lawfully purchased lottery ticket by an adult. Lottery game retailers cannot be under the age of 21,

Casinos in Missouri are not permitted to accept wagers from anyone under the age of 21. People under 21 are also prevented from entering the gaming floor and will be refused entry into casinos.

Missouri Revised Statutes §§434.060 has an interesting clause that recovers losses from underage casino gambling: “If any minor shall lose any money or property at any game, gambling device, or by any bet or wager whatever, the parent or conservator of such minor may sue for and recover from the winner such money or property, or the value thereof, so lost by such minor.”

Missouri Laws §313.670 states that “no individual under the age of eighteen years shall knowingly make or attempt to make any wager on any horse race.” The use of the word knowingly is unusual; nevertheless, the legal age for pari-mutuel betting is 18+.

People under the age of 18 can be admitted into any pari-mutuel race area if accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18.

Charitable bingo is permitted in Missouri. You can legally participate in or conduct bingo at 16 (Missouri Revised Statutes §313.040). Under 16s can be in the area where the bingo event is being held when accompanied by a parent.

Under Montana Code §§23-5-158, the legal age for the entire gambling industry is 18. “A person under 18 years of age may not purposely or knowingly participate in a gambling activity.”

Eighteen-year-olds can enter casinos in Montana. However, the casinos are limited to offering slot-like games, including video bingo, video keno, and video poker. True slot machines and banked card games are illegal at any age in the state.

The minimum age for purchasing lottery tickets in Montana is 18+. This same legal minimum applies to lottery retailers: “A person under 18 years of age may not sell lottery tickets, chances, wagers, or bets” (Montana Code §§23-7-110).

Anyone that does sell tickets to minors received a penalty of a fine not to exceed $500 or imprisonment in country jail for up to six months, or both.

Betting on horse races is restricted to people over 18 only. Montana Code §23-4-301 states that it is “unlawful to permit a minor to use the pari-mutuel system.” Operators must also legally include an 18+ statement in all their advertising materials.

The same section of the law also outrightly illegalizes fantasy sports in Montana.

Montana is one of the few US states that allow eighteen-year-olds to bet on sports. This applies to wagering at retail sportsbooks and online at the Sports Bet Montana app.

You must be 18+ to play bingo in Montana. Montana Code §23-5-112 also prohibits people under 18 from being the “bingo caller” and drawing live numbers during the event.

Raffles held by charitable and non-profit organizations are the sole exception to the 18+ age limit for gambling in Montana; children under 18 are permitted to participate.

Nebraska has several different statutes for each form of legal gambling, with the minimum age set at either 18, 19, or 21+.

Nebraska does not limit the age of retailers selling scratch tickets and games for the Nebraska Lottery Lotto. However, you must be 19+ to purchase tickets and redeem prizes. This is the only state in the US with this legal age limit – all others require players to be either 18 or 21.

Nebraska has tribal and commercial casinos, both of which impose a minimum gambling age of 21. The law also restricts those under 18 from entering a casino property.

Nebraska legalized its retail-only sports betting industry in 2021 by signing LB 561. However, the industry is not yet operational. The rules for the soon-to-launch sports wagering market have recently been approved, prohibiting gambling by “persons under the age of twenty-one.”

Moreover, Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act Title 296 prohibits a person under 19 from holding an occupational license. It will also be illegal to place wagers on “any sporting event where the majority of the athletes are under eighteen years of age” (13.003.09C A).

Fantasy sports providers are live in Nebraska, only accepting players age 19 or older.

The Nebraska Legislature bans anyone under 21 from placing a pari-mutuel wager on horse racing events (Nebraska Revised Statutes §2-1207).

With the exception of limited-period bingo occasions, you must be 18 or older to play charitable bingo in Nebraska or purchase raffle tickets. Bingo workers must also legally be at least 18 years of age (Charitable Gaming Regulations, Chapter 35).

Keno is also legal in Nebraska. Under §35-613.01, you must be 19 or older to play or participate in keno. Any ticket sold to underage players is considered void and, if a winning ticket, will not be paid.

Nevada has its minimum gambling age set at 21 for all types of gambling.

Nevada Revised Statutes §463.350 states: “A person under the age of 21 years shall not play, be allowed to play, place wagers at, or collect winnings from, whether personally or through an agent, any gambling game, slot machine, race book, sports pool or pari-mutuel operator.”

The minimum age of 21 applies to all forms of casino gaming. This includes land-based casinos and regulated operators offering legal online poker (online casino gaming is illegal under current law). Under Section 205.460, it is also prohibited for underage players to enter gambling establishments.

In Nevada, breaking the law on gambling is considered a misdemeanor offense. It carries up to six months in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

As per Nevada Revised Statutes §463.350, the legal age for sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering is 21. People under 21 are also not allowed to “loiter or be permitted to loiter” at any licensed racebook or pari-mutuel betting venue.

Despite Nevada being the home of Las Vegas – infamous for its luxury casinos – it is one of five states without a lottery. If a state lottery were to launch, we expect the 21 age limit to apply.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire has a statewide 18+ age restriction for all types of gambling.

New Hampshire Revised Statutes §287-F:8 prohibits the sale of lottery tickets to people under 18. However, it is legal to lawfully purchase a ticket to gift to a minor.

Charitable Casinos & Bingo

Real casino gambling is illegal in New Hampshire. However, charities can run “casino nights” for fundraising purposes. This is the only legal way to play games like blackjack and roulette (slot machines are not permitted).

An age restriction of 18+ applies for charitable casino gaming. No one under 18 is allowed to be admitted to the premises where games are being conducted unless they’re being held at a carnival. In this case, minors can attend events when accompanied by an adult (RSA §287-D:14).

Charitable bingo and pull-tabs also have an 18+ policy (New Hampshire Revised Statutes §§287-E).

Mobile and retail sports betting is permitted in New Hampshire. NH Revised Statutes § 287-I:1 defines an “authorized sports bettor” as an “individual 18 years of age or older who is physically present in the state of New Hampshire when placing a sports wager.”

Online operators are also legally obliged to provide age verification measures to “block access and prevent sports wagers by persons under the age of 18 years” (Revised Statutes § 287-I:7).

Horse Race Betting

New Hampshire Revised Statutes §284:33 limits pari-mutuel betting on horses to “minors.” Under state law, this is considered to be people under the age of 18.

The minimum age limit in New Jersey depends on the particular gambling activity you’re undertaking.

Land-Based & Online Casinos

New Jersey Statutes §5:12-119 bans anyone “under the age at which a person is authorized to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages” from entering and gambling at casinos in Atlantic City. The legal age for drinking is 21 throughout the US, as per federal law.

Anyone participating in underage gambling in New Jersey will be fined $500 to $1,000 and have their driver’s license suspended for six months. Parents or guardians who allow their children to gamble can also be charged with a disorderly persons offense.

In line with other types of casino gambling, the legal age for online casinos and online poker is 21.

In New Jersey, a person placing a wager on a sports event shall be at least 21 (P.L. 2018, Chapter 3). It is also illegal to place bets on high school sports teams, but you can wager on international sporting events in which persons under the age of 18 make up a minority of participants.

The legal age for fantasy sports drops to 18+ under New Jersey Administration Code § 13:45A-36.9.

You have to be 18+ to play the New Jersey Lottery. Adults can purchase tickets to gift to minors, but the lottery urges parents to “think twice about gifting Lottery tickets to children.”

Charitable & Amusement Gambling

New Jersey Administration Code § 13:47-7.8 prohibits organizations from allowing anyone under 18 to conduct or play bingo games. Any operator that breaks the law could lose its license.

An age limit of 18+ applies to other forms of charitable gambling (raffles, casino nights, and armchair races) and amusement gambling (New Jersey Statutes §5:8-32). However, children under 18 can legally participate in amusement games with non-cash prizes.

New Mexico imposes a legal age requirement of 21+ for casinos and sports wagering but 18+ for lottery games, charitable gambling, and pari-mutuel betting.

All legal land-based casinos in New Mexico are tribal gaming venues or state-licensed racinos. The minimum age for partaking in any form of casino gambling is 21+.

People under 21 are also prohibited from entering land-based casinos. Section 15.1.10.15 of the New Mexico Code puts the responsibility of preventing underage gambling in the hands of the operators. If an underage gambler attempts to claim winnings, the game is considered void.

New Mexico has a retail-only sports betting industry. As long as you are over 21, you can legally place bets at any licensed sportsbook. These are all located at tribal casinos; it is only through the tribal-state compacts that sports betting is permitted.

New Mexico Statutes §§6-24-15 illegalize minors buying a lottery ticket. However, persons under 18 years of age “may receive lottery tickets as gifts.”

It is also illegal for retailers to sell lottery tickets to anyone under the age of 18 (Statutes §§6-24-32).

Under §15.2.7.8 from the New Mexico Racing Commission, “no person under eighteen years of age is permitted to purchase or cash a pari-mutuel ticket.”

Charity Bingo & Raffles

The New Mexico “Bingo & Raffle Act” doesn’t specify any age restrictions; there is no age limit for playing bingo or entering a bingo hall. However, operators can set their own age limits for games.

In New York, you can legally engage in most forms of gambling at age 18. However, some casinos have a 21+ policy.

The legal gambling age for casinos in New York is 18. However, commercial casinos require you to be 21 or older to enter the premises due to alcohol licensing. Tribal casinos that serve alcohol also abide by the 21+ restriction.

Therefore, eighteen-year-olds are restricted to casino gambling at racinos or tribal casinos that don’t serve alcohol. “Casino night” fundraisers are also legal in New York and open to players aged 18.

In-person and online sports betting are legal in New York. Players must be over the age of 21 (New York Codes § 5329.19).

New York Tax Law §1610 states that “No ticket shall be sold to any person under the age of eighteen years, but this shall not be deemed to prohibit the purchase of a ticket for the purpose of making a gift by a person eighteen years of age or older to a person less than that age.”

Any lottery retailer found to sell tickets to minors is guilty of a misdemeanor.

New York General Municipal Law §195-a illegalizes anyone under the age of 18 from playing any game of chance run by a non-profit organization. This applies to charity casino nights, bingo games, raffles, and other accepted gambling games.

Children age 16+ can perform non-gaming activities related to the conduction of a bingo event (New York General Municipal Law §486).

NY Pari-Mutual Wagering & Breeding Law § 108 prohibits operators from allowing “any person who is actually or apparently under eighteen years of age to bet on gaming activity.”

North Carolina

North Carolina has legalized most forms of gambling. Most have an age requirement of 21, but there are some legal options for 18-year-olds.

Tribal Casinos & Bingo

There are two Indian casinos in North Carolina. You must be 21 or older to be allowed to play any Class III casino games. The law is also strict on allowing anyone under the age of 21 inside the casino building, including non-gambling areas (restaurants, gift outlets, etc.).

Cherokee Tribal Bingo is a bingo-only destination. As a Class II game, eighteen-year-olds are permitted to play bingo at this venue.

You must be 21 or older to legally be on sports in North Carolina. There are currently only retail sportsbooks in the state, but mobile sportsbooks could come sometime in 2023.

The legalization of sports wagering also permitted pari-mutuel wagering on horses at tribal casinos, which was previously banned. However, betting in greyhound races remains illegal under State Statue § 14-309.20. As the only place to make wagers is at casinos, a 21+ age limit applies.

North Carolina General Statute 18C-131 prohibits (1) the sale of lottery tickets to anyone under the age of 18 and (2) the purchase of lottery tickets unless you’re 18+. Illegal sale or purchase of lottery tickets is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor.

State Statutes § 14-309.5 on bingo do not specify any age restriction.

North Dakota

North Dakota has three legal ages for gambling – 18, 19, and 21 – depending on which type of gambling you’re engaging in.

Players must be at least 18 years old to purchase and redeem lottery tickets. You’re also prohibited from gifting tickets to minors under State Statutes § 53-12.1-08, which makes sense considering children cannot legally redeem prizes.

Unlike many other states, North Dakota has no age restriction on the age of lottery sellers: “Any employee, regardless of age, may sell a lottery ticket.”

There are no commercial or online casinos in North Dakota. However, tribal and chartiable casinos are permitted under current law.

The legal age for gambling at tribal casinos in North Dakota has recently dropped from 21 to 19. Governor Doug Burgum signed new compacts into law to lower the legal age limit. Under the agreement, you can enjoy a full range of Class III games at 19+.

Charitable casinos are governed by North Dakota Century Code §53-06.1-03. According to the law, pull-tabs, punchboards, calcuttas, paddlewheels, and poker are for people aged 21+.

Sports wagering is legal in North Dakota through tribal gaming compacts. The recently amended tribal-state agreements outrightly require all sports bettors to be 19 or older. Unfortunately, mobile sports betting is illegal.

Charitable pull-tabs fall under charitable gaming and require players to be 21 or older. For charitable bingo events, you legally need to be 18+ to participate unless accompanied by an adult.

North Dakota has different age restrictions on pari-mutuel wagering, depending on where the betting takes place. It imposes a legal age requirement of 18+ when placing pari-mutuel bets on horses at race tracks, whereas a 21+ policy for OTB locations.

The gambling age in Ohio ranges from 18 to 21, although a hilarious minimum age of 60+ is required for the operation of senior bingo games.

Commercial Casinos & Racinos

The legal age for casino gambling in Ohio is 21. It is also forbidden for anyone under 21 to enter a casino. Licensed casino operators are guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree for permitting anyone less than 21 years of age to enter the facility (Ohio Revised Code §3772.99).

Employees at commercial casinos can be between the ages of 18 and 21 and work in a gaming area. However, their duties must be non-gaming related (Ohio Rev. Code §3772.24).

HB 29 was signed into law in December 2021, legalizing online and retail sports betting in Ohio. The industry is governed by R.C. Chapters 3770 and 3775 of the Revised Code, which sets a legal age requirement of 21+.

Ohio law is also strict on advertising sports betting to minors. Advertisements may not target individuals under the age of 21, and failure to comply may result in administrative action.

“No person shall sell a lottery ticket to any person under eighteen years of age, and no person under eighteen years of age shall attempt to purchase a lottery ticket.” Ohio Rev. Code §3770.08.

You have to be 18+ to participate in pari-mutuel wagering on horse races. However, you can legally attend live race events at age 16+. Children under 16 can also be admitted when accompanied by an adult. (Ohio Administrative Code §3769-4-07).

Bingo Games

Under the Ohio Revised Code §§173.121, you must be 21+ to participate in bingo games conducted at multipurpose senior centers. To operate the games, a minimum age of 60 applies.

For other forms of charitable bingo, the minimum age requirement is 18 (Rev. Code § 2915.09.1).

Oklahoma doesn’t yet have legal sports betting, but there are plenty of regulated gambling options in the state – all of which you can enjoy as an eighteen-year-old. 

Aside from VLTs at Oklahoma racetracks, all casinos are on tribal land. Indian casinos can set their minimum age to 18+ under the Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act (IGRA), and many OK casinos accept players age 18. However, venues that serve alcohol have a minimum age of 21+.

It is not prohibited for minors to enter the casino premises. However, they must be accompanied by an adult and cannot be on the gaming floor, even with adult supervision.

Oklahoma laws ban anyone under 18 from placing pari-mutuel wagers. Accompanied children are welcome at racetracks but prohibited from entering gaming floors at racinos.

Individuals under 18 are prohibited from purchasing tickets for any lottery game.

Title 3A,  Section 72 of the Oklahoma Lottery Laws also makes it illegal to pay out prizes on any ticket purchased by a minor. However, you are allowed to “lawfully purchase tickets or shares from making a gift of lottery tickets or shares to another” – which includes gifting to minors.

Under the Oklahoma Charity Games Act, you must be at least 18 years old to participate in charitable bingo games unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Oregon Revised Statutes §163.575 make it a crime to induce, cause, or permit a person under 18 years of age to participate in gambling. However, some forms of gambling require you to be 21+.

Tribal Gaming

The Oregon constitution prohibits commercial casinos, but Native American casinos are permitted. You can legally enter tribal casinos in Oregon at the age of 18. However, although the legal age for gambling is 18, land-based casinos that serve alcohol require players to be 21 or older.

There are also certain games that are off-limits to anyone under the age of 18. You have to be 21+ to play poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette. Meanwhile, bingo games at Indian casinos are legal at 18.

Online sports betting is only available via the Oregon lottery, meaning there is one sportsbook app in the state: DraftKings. The legal age for online sports betting at DraftKings Oregon is 21.

Retail sportsbooks are also permitted at tribal casinos. Again, a legal age requirement of 21+ applies, but the rules on the types of bets are slightly different at tribal sportsbooks. Most notably, you are permitted to wager on college sports in-person but not on the DraftKings app.

The Oregon Lottery runs standard lottery games and regulates video lottery terminals (VLTs) at licensed retailers in the state.

Lottery tickets can be bought and redeemed by players age 18+, whereas VLTs are limited to people over the age of 21 (Oregon Revised Statutes §§461.250). Lottery game retailers must also be over the age of 18, according to §§461.300.

You can legally place pari-mutuel wagers at the age of 18 in Oregon. However, “no person shall purchase a mutuel wagering ticket or receipt for or on behalf of a person under 18 years of age.”

Under ORS §§462.190, people under 18 are also banned from entering race courses at any time wagering is permitted unless accompanied by an adult. Children age 14+ are allowed to enter if they are an employee of the track. 

Bingo cards and raffle tickets can be sold to people under 18, but only when a parent or guardian is there to witness the purchase.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the few US states to have legalized all forms of gambling.

There are several age restrictions for land-based casino gambling in Pennsylvania outlined in PA Code § 513a.2. People under the age of 21 are forbidden from:

• Entering the gaming floor (unless 18+ and employed by the casino)
• Placing wagers on slot machines and table games at state-licensed casinos
• Collecting winnings or recovering losses from gambling activities. (Any winnings won by underage gamblers are used to support problem gambling).

§ 513a.3 also makes it illegal for land-based casinos to allow players under 21 to enter the casino. They must remove under-21s from the venue and refuse to pay winnings.

Online Poker & Casinos

Online poker and casino gambling were legalized in 2017 with the passing of the Expanded Gaming Act. The legal age for internet gaming is “21, which mirrors the minimum age for gaming in a Pennsylvania casino,” according to the PA Gaming Control Board.

Sportsbooks

Title 58 of the PA Code § 1401.8 states that “no person under the age of 21 may engage in sports wagering.” Breaking this law is considered a criminal offense in Pennsylvania.

The legal age requirement for pari-mutuel betting on horses is 18. PA Consolidated Statutes Title 3 § 9340.a does allow under-18s to attend racing events if accompanied by an adult. Employees under the age of 18 are permitted at the racetrack.

No person under the age of 18 shall be permitted to play bingo unless accompanied by an adult (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 10 §305).

Pennsylvania Statutes Title 72 § 3761-309 clearly state that “no ticket or share shall be sold to any person under 18 years of age.” Any lottery retailer that knowingly sells tickets to under-18-year-olds can be fined up to $500.

Gifting tickets to minors is legal, so long as the ticket is lawfully purchased by someone 18+.

All legal forms of gambling in Rhode Island have a minimum age requirement of 18 or older.

Commercial Casinos

The only casinos in Rhode Island are two commercial casino properties. You must be 18 or older to play slot machines, table games, or poker at either venue.

Rhode Island General Laws § 42-61.3-2 impose punishments for both underage gamblers and anyone that allows underage gambling. Minors playing or attempting to play casino games are referred to family court, whereas those accepting wagers from under-eighteens are punished with up to one-year imprisonment and/or up to a $1,000 fine.

Under Rhode Island General Laws § 42-61.2-3.3, people under eighteen are prohibited from participating in sports wagering. This rule applies to retail and mobile sportsbooks.

It is unlawful for anyone under 18 to purchase lottery tickets. However, Chapter 10 of the Rhode Island Lottery Regulations does not “prohibit the purchase of a ticket for the purpose of making a gift by a person eighteen years of age.”

Payments of lottery winnings can be made to minors in accordance with the “Uniform Transfers to Minors Act” Rhode Island General Laws, Chapter 18-7.

General Laws of Rhode Island §§41-4-2 allow pari-mutuel racing at licensed horse racetracks only. “Minors” are prohibited from betting, which refers to anyone under the age of 18. However, none of this matters – all live racetracks in Rhode Island have closed.

The only place to wager on horses in Rhode Island is at state-licensed sportsbooks.

You have to be 18 or older to play bingo in Rhode Island. There are no exceptions to this, even for childen accompanied by a parent or guardian. (RI Gen. Laws § 11-19-32)

South Carolina

Currently, the only forms of legal gambling in South Carolina are charitable gaming and the lottery. There is also a sole cruise ship casino, The Big “M” Casino, and fantasy sports.

You must be 18 or older to legally purchase lottery tickets in South Carolina. However, anyone 18+ “may purchase lawfully lottery game tickets or shares to gift to a person of any age” (South Carolina Code § 59-150-210).

Prizes under $25,000 can be paid to minors with winning tickets, but anything over this amount must be paid to a conservator and help on their behalf.

Under South Carolina Code Article 24 § 12-21, licensed charities and non-profits can legally operate bingo games for fundraising purposes. You must be 18 or older to participate in these events.

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are not outrightly legal or regulated in South Carolina. However, operators are permitted to provide their offerings in the state as a “game of chance.” Players age 18+ can legally enter paid fantasy sports tournaments.  

Cruiseship Casinos

Casino gambling is prohibited in South Carolina, but cruiseship casinos can operate under the Gambling Cruise Act (SC Code of Laws § 3-11). You must be 21 or older to board the ships and wager on the gaming floor.

South Dakota

South Dakota has legalized most forms of gambling but is lacking online options. The legal age varies depending on the form of gambling in question.

All commercial casinos in South Dakota are located in Deadwood. Native Indian casinos can also be found outside of Deadwood on tribal land.

Both tribal and state-run casinos have a strict 21+ policy. South Dakota Codified Laws §§42-7B-35 states: “Any participant in any gaming shall be twenty-one years or older. No licensee may permit any person who is less than twenty-one years of age to participate in any gaming.”

You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in South Dakota, which is currently only available at retail sportsbooks. Using a fake ID when placing or redeeming a bet is classed as a Class 6 felony for the person placing the wager and the licensed operator. (SD Codifed L. § 42-7B-83).

SD Codified Laws § 42-7B-40 also requires at least one employee on a licensed premise to be over 21 years of age.

South Dakota Codified Laws §42-7-76 prohibits “minors” from participating in pari-mutuel wagering. This means only people who are 18+ can legally bet on horse racing.

State Lottery

South Dakota Codified Law § 42-7A-32 requires players to be at least 18 years old to purchase tickets for lottery games. This includes scratch card games and tickets for lotto draws like Powerball, Mega Millions, and Dakota Cash. Tickets can be gifted to minors, but winnings must be paid to a parent.

Video lottery games are also legal in the state and regulated by the State Lottery. However, only people aged 21+ can play video lottery machines (South Dakota Codified Laws § 42-7A-48).

Under SD Codified L § 42-7A-13, lottery retailers must also “be at least eighteen years of age.”

It is legal for non-profits to conduct bingo and raffles for fundraising purposes, governed by SD Codified Laws §22-25-25. The regulations do not set any parameters with regard to age.  

Until 2003, there were no legal forms of gambling in Tennessee; now, it permits sports betting, charity gaming, fantasy sports, and lotteries. The minimum age for each is as follows:

Launching in 2020, sports betting is the latest form of gambling for Tennessee lawmakers to legalize. Tennessee Code § 4-51-301 states that anyone “who is twenty-one years of age or older and who is physically located in this state may place a wager in the manner authorized by law.”

The industry is online-only, meaning all legal wagers must be placed via one of the regulated sportsbook apps.

Tennessee outrightly legalized DFS in 2016 with the passing of the Fantasy Sports Act. The legislation states that “only players age 18 and over may participate in fantasy sports contests.”

The lottery was the first form of legal gambling in Tennessee, the first tickets being sold in 2003. You must be 18 or older the legally purchase any type of lottery ticket or redeem lottery prizes. State lotteries and multi-jurisdictional draws are permitted.

Registered charitable organizations can run an annual “game of chance” fundraising event under the Tennessee Nonprofit Gaming Law. Participants must be 18+.

Texas is known for having a strict gambling industry. Under Penal Code §47.02, gambling is considered a criminal offense. The only exceptions are charitable gambling, pari-mutuel betting, the State Lottery, and tribal gaming.

Indian Casinos

You must be 21 to enter land-based casinos in Texas and play any casino games.

As gambling is illegal in Texas, the only casino properties are tribal casinos. The tribes are permitted to offer Class II gaming – which includes electronic bingo machines and non-banked card games – under the Indian Gambling Regulatory Act.  

Tickets for the lottery can only be purchased by people over the age of 18. However, adults can lawfully purchase tickets to gifts for people of any age.

Pari-mutuel wagering is available to anyone age 18+ in Texas. You can place bets on live or simulcast horse racing. Texas is also one of the few states that allow live greyhound races and permit wagering on dog racing events.

Charitable organizations can conduct bingo games under the “Bingo Enabling Act” (Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 2011). The Act states that “an individual younger than 18 years of age may not play bingo… unless the individual is accompanied by the individual's parent or guardian.”

However, licensed non-profits can choose to introduce an 18+ policy and prevent minors from entering the premises. To conduct bingo games, you must also be 18 or older.

Utah has no legal gambling; the state is entirely without casinos, sportsbooks, a state lottery, racetracks, poker rooms, or bingo. Therefore, no one – no matter how old – can legally gamble in UT.

Utah Code Section 76-10-1102 also prohibits all forms of internet or online gambling. The legislation even prohibits legal gambling if federal laws were to change: “Regardless of whether a federal law is enacted that authorizes internet gambling in the states, this section acts as this state's prohibition of any gambling, including Internet gambling, in this state.”

Vermont offers little in terms of gambling, illegalizing casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks. The state allows pari-mutuel wagering but has no racetracks, simulcast, or OTB facilities. As such, your only options are the lottery, fantasy sports, and charitable gambling.

The Vermont Lottery is one of the only legal forms of gambling in the state. Vermont Statutes Title 31 § 659 specifies that tickets cannot legally be sold to people “who have not attained the age of majority” – i.e., anyone under the age of 18. However, “tickets may be given as gifts to minors.”

Penalties for underage gambling are detailed in 31 V.S.A § 662. If caught, you will be fined up to $500 or imprisoned for up to two years, or both.

Vermont has outrightly legalized and regulated DFS, which is governed by Vermont Statutes Title 9 Chapter 116. Currently, you can participate in fantasy sports contests at 18.

Lawmakers might increase the legal age to 21. Bill H 127 – a proposal for legal sports betting in Vermont – is currently in discussion in the legislature. If passed, the industry would have a 21+ age requirement, and lawmakers have raised concerns about having two different age restrictions for DFS and legal sports betting.

Non-profit organizations can operate “games of chance” (bingo, raffles, card games, and “break-open tickets”) under charitable gaming laws (31 V.S.A. § 1201 to 1208).

You must be 18 or older to participate in any of the events. Minors can work on the site — for example, selling food and drinks — but cannot work the games.

Virginia has legalized all forms of gambling apart from online casinos. Age restrictions range from 18 to 21.

You have to be over the age of 21 to participate in casino gambling or step foot in one of the state’s casinos. Virginia Code § 58.1-4122 states: “No person under age 21 shall be permitted to make a wager under this chapter or be present where casino gaming is being conducted.”

People aged 18 to 21 are allowed to work at casinos, but their duties must be non-gaming related.

You can legally place sports wagers at retail and online sportsbooks in Virginia at the age of 21. Anyone knowingly accepting or redeeming a bet from an underage gambler is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor (Virginia Code § 58.1-4040).

§ 59.1-403 of the Code of Virginia makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to bet on horse racing events. You can legally enter a satellite facility under the age of 18, but only when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

For histrocial horse racing on video gaming terminals, the legal age is 21 or older.

Code of Virginia §§58.1-4015 prohibits the sale of lottery tickets to anyone under the age of 18. Redeeming tickets is also classed as an offense, with the licensee guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Unlike many states, Virginia has also made it illegal to gift lottery tickets to minors under VA Code §58.1-4016. It reads as follows: “Any person who knowingly gives a lottery ticket or share to any person under the age of eighteen years is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.”

Several types of charitable gaming are legal in Virginia, including bingo, electronic bingo, and Texas Hold’Em “casino night” fundraisers.

Under VA Code § 18.2-340.26, charitable gaming on electronic devices is only available for players aged 21 or older. However, you can participate in non-electronic bingo, pull-tabs, and poker at the age of 18 (Virginia Code § 18.2-340.28).

The State of Washington has a clear 18+ threshold for all forms of gambling apart from bingo, raffles, and amusement games. The passage below is from the Revised Code of Washington § 9.46.228:

“It is unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen to play in authorized gambling activities including, but not limited to, punchboards, pull-tabs, or card games, or to participate in fundraising events. Persons under the age of eighteen may play bingo, raffles, and amusement game activities only as provided in commission rules.”

Casinos & Card Rooms

Although the legal age for casino gambling in Washington is 18 years old, some casinos impose an over-twenty-one limit. For example, the North Quest Resort & Casino states that it “restricts [its] gaming floor to guests 21 years or older.”

To avoid disappointment when arriving at a casino, ensure you check the house rules beforehand to ensure under-18s are welcome.

Sports betting is only available at tribal casinos. The passage of HB 2638 amended the tribal gaming compacts, allowing tribes to open retail sportsbooks. Washington Gambling Commission defines a “prohibited sports wagering participant” as “any individual under 18 years of age.”

The statewide gambling age applies to pari-mutuel wagering: § WA Admin Code 260-48-530 states that “no person under the age of eighteen may purchase or cash any parimutuel ticket.”

It is also prohibited for unattended people under the age of 18 to enter pari-mutuel wagering areas. This implies that children are welcome at race tracks and betting locations but only when accompanied by an adult.

Under the Revised Code of Washington § 67.70.120, lottery tickets cannot legally be sold to anyone under 18. However, minors can receive lawfully purchased lottery tickets as gifts.

An age limit of 18+ applies to charitable bingo, raffles, and pull-tabs. However, § WA Admin Code 230-06-010 permits children under 18 to participate in:

• Licensed bingo games when accompanied by a parent/guardian
• Bingo at carnivals and agricultural fairs
• Raffle sales for non-profit organizations fundraising for youth development causes, only when under adult supervision

West Virginia

West Virginia’s minimum gambling age ranges from 18 to 21. The state has multiple casinos, sportsbooks, racetracks, and even online casinos for you to enjoy.

West Virginia has five land-based facilities that offer video lottery terminals (VLTs) and casino table games such as blackjack, roulette, and craps. These are overseen by the WV Lottery and governed by §29-22C and §29-22A of the West Virginia Code.

WVC §29-22C-29limits access to table games to players over 21. It is also prohibited for people under 21 to enter or remain in designated table gaming areas at the state’s racetracks. Meanwhile, VLTs can be played at the age of 18+ (WVC §29-22A-9).

Online Casinos

West Virginia is one of the six US states with regulated online casinos after lawmakers passed the WV Lottery Interacting Wagering Act (WVC §29-22E-1) in 2019. Under the Act, you must be 21 or older to play online casino games.

Any casino licensee that permits an individual under the age of 21 to place online wagers is guilty of a misdemeanor and can be fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned for six months, or both.

According to WV Code §29-22D-15, the minimum legal age for sports betting is 21. This applies to placing a wager at a “licensed gaming facility where authorized sports wagering occurs” or “by means of electronic devices.”

The West Virginia Code §29-22-11 makes selling lottery tickets to people under 18 years old illegal. However, gifting tickets purchased by people aged 18+ to minors is legal.

Anyone breaking this law shall be fined $50 to $500 or imprisoned for up to one year, or both.

§19-23-9 of the West Virginia Code sets the legal age for pari-mutuel betting at 18 or older: “No licensee shall permit or allow any individual under the age of eighteen years to wager at any horse or dog racetrack.”

West Virginia law prohibits people under 18 from playing charity bingo. However, children under 18 are legally permitted to attend bingo events with an adult relative (West Virginia Code §47-20-4).

The legal gambling age in Wisconsin is 18. However, you must be 21 or older to play casino games at tribal gambling destinations.

All casinos in Wisconsin are Native Indian casinos. Under current tribal-state compacts that permit tribes to offer Class III gaming, you must legally be 21 or older to enter the premises and wager on the gaming floor.

Previously, you were permitted to enter all tribal casinos at the age of 18. However, renewed compacts from 1998 onward raised the legal age to 21+.

Sportsbooks are only available at tribal casinos in Wisconsin. There is no overarching state legislation that manages sports betting – it has been negotiated through tribal compacts. Currently, three tribal agreements that allow sports wagering have been signed, each setting the legal age at 21+.

Pari-mutuel wagering is overseen by the State of Wisconsin under Chapter 562 of the WI Statutes. §§ 562.06 sets the legal gambling age for horse racing bets at 18: “No person under the age of 18 years may make a wager in any race or receive any payout on a wager.”

The law also makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to be admitted to a racetrack unless accompanied by an adult. The exception is for racetrack employees that can be employed from the age of 16+.

Under Wisconsin Statutes §§565.17, it is illegal for anyone under 18 to purchase lottery tickets. It is permitted to gift lottery tickets to minors, assuming the ticket was initially bought by an adult.

Wisconsin Statutes §§563.15 outline restrictions on charitable bingo. The law prohibits minors from participating in bingo games unless an adult blood relative of the child is present on the premises at the time of the event.

To conduct or aid in the conduction of charitable bingo, you must be 18+.

Wyoming is one of the few jurisdictions to impose a statewide legal gambling age of 18 for casinos, sportsbooks, pari-mutuel betting, charitable gaming, and the lottery.

Native American Casinos

Casino gambling is illegal in Wyoming under WY Stat § 6-7-102. It states that “A person who engages in gambling commits a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or both.” Therefore, commercial and online casinos are banned in the state.

For this reason, Wyoming is home only to tribal casino properties. They’re licensed to offer Class III gaming under current tribal-state compacts. A legal age of 18+ is required to enter or wager at any of the land-based casinos. 

Online Sports Betting

Wyoming has an online-only sports betting industry with four sportsbook operators currently available in the state. You need to be 18+ to participate: Under WY Statutes § 9-24-105, “no person under the age of eighteen years shall engage in online sports wagering.”

You must be 18 or older to purchase tickets through the Wyoming Lottery Corporation. Wyoming Statutes § 9-17-118, however, does allow lottery tickets to be gifted to people of any age, including minors (under-18s).

It is illegal for anyone under eighteen to place a pari-mutuel bet (Wyoming Statutes § 11-25-205).

WY Statutes § 11-25-201 also state that licensees may “not allow minors to open, own or have access to advance deposit pari-mutuel wagering accounts.” This prohibits anyone under 18 from having an account with an online racebook.

Charitable gaming is licensed in Wyoming under W.S. § 11-25-104(n). You need to be 18 or older to play bingo or pull-tab games.

Gambling Age by State: FAQs

How old must you be to gamble in the us.

The legal age for gambling in the US depends on the type of gambling activity you’re undertaking. Most states permit lottery games, charitable bingo, pari-mutuel wagering, and DFS at 18. Meanwhile, casino gambling and sports betting typically have a 21+ requirement.

However, the legal gambling age in the US is decided at a state level, so it’s entirely dependent on where you live. Use this guide to help figure out the legal options in your state.

Do you have to be 21 to enter casinos in the US?

Most casinos in the US require you to be at least 21. This is true even in states with a legal age for casino gambling of 18 due to alcohol being served on the premises. Nevertheless, some casinos do allow those under 18 to enter certain areas of the gaming floor.

Can 18-year-olds enter casinos that serve alcohol?

No, US commercial and tribal casinos that serve alcohol have a strict 21 or older policy. This age limit is in place because the legal age for drinking in the US is 21, as governed by federal law. Therefore, even if gambling is legal at 18 in your state, drinking alcohol is not.  

What is the legal gambling age for online casinos?

Online casinos are only legal in six states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. All these states impose a minimum age of 21 for online casino gambling. However, most offshore online casinos accept players aged 18 or older.

What happens if I am an underage gambler?

The punishment for underage gambling varies by jurisdiction as it’s dictated by state law. Most US states issue small fines ($100 to $1,000), community service, or probation. However, underage gamblers can face jail time.

Licensed operators that knowingly take wagers from underage players are also punished, often with heavier fines. They may also have their gaming licenses revoked.

Who regulates the gambling markets in the US?

In the US, gambling is regulated at federal and state levels. Each state in the US decides its own gambling laws and establishes its own regulatory bodies. The federal government mainly supports the enforcement of state laws and prosecutes illegal multi-state operators.

What types of gambling are available for 18-year-olds?

In most US states, you can legally purchase lottery tickets, place pari-mutuel bets, and enter fantasy sports contests at 18. A handful of states also have regulated 18+ land-based casinos and sportsbooks.

In terms of online gambling, offshore casinos are your best option. As these gambling sites are outside US jurisdiction and don’t need to comply with state laws, they tend to accept players 18 or older – even if the legal gambling age in your state is 21.

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The Legacy and Historical Influence of Riverboat Casinos in the United States

Welcome aboard as we set sail into the captivating world of riverboat casinos in the United States . On this page, we’ll walk you through their legal status and historical implications, explore the where, what, and why of these floating gaming venues, and finally, take a close look at the modern condition of riverboat gambling.

As we explore the ins and outs of this unique chapter in American gaming history, we’ll also take a glance at if riverboat casinos have left a mark on the WV online gambling scene and gambling in the US in general.

• Legal Status of Riverboat Gambling
• Boat Casinos Regulation in Various States
• History of Riverboat Gambling
• Popular Riverboat Casinos

The Legal Status of Riverboat Gambling

Historically, casino boats were allowed in many states, mostly those with access to the Mississippi River. Today, only six states still allow this form of gambling:

Mississippi

Gambling boats are essentially floating casinos operating on designated waterways . They offer a wide variety of gambling activities just like land-based casinos, including slots , table games , and poker .

Each state with legal riverboat gambling has its own regulatory body responsible for licensing and ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. These regulations typically address aspects such as gambling activities allowed, revenue sharing with the state, security measures, responsible gambling practices, and environmental considerations.

While sharing similarities with land-based casinos, riverboat casinos face additional regulations due to their unique setting, such as:

• Licensing requirements . Land-based casinos typically have more stringent licensing requirements than riverboat casinos. For instance, land-based casinos may be required to undergo a more rigorous background check and financial audit process compared to riverboat casinos;
• Location restrictions . There are usually fewer restrictions on riverboat casino locations than on those of the brick-and-mortar venues. For instance, land-based casinos might not be allowed to operate in certain areas, such as residential neighborhoods or near schools. Riverboat casinos, in turn, are more flexible when it comes to location, as they can be moored on rivers that flow through various areas;
• Taxation . The taxation of land-based casinos and riverboat casinos can vary depending on the state. In some cases, land-based casinos may be subject to higher tax rates than riverboat casinos;
• Building codes . Land-based casinos are typically required to meet more stringent building codes than riverboat casinos. This is because land-based casinos are permanent structures, while riverboat casinos are considered temporary structures;
• Inspection and enforcement . Land-based casinos usually undergo more frequent inspections and stricter enforcement of regulations compared to riverboat casinos.

Generally, the regulation of land-based casinos tends to be more strict and comprehensive than the regulation of any casino on the Mississippi River . The reason is likely that land-based casinos are considered to have a greater impact on the surrounding community , both in terms of economic benefits and social costs.

State-by-State Riverboat Gambling Regulations

As of 2024, it’s legal to run and visit a riverboat casino in six states. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:

Here, riverboat casinos are allowed on the Mississippi River , the Illinois River , and the Des Plaines River . The casinos must be located at least 300 feet from the shore and be accessible to the public by land or water . Riverboat casinos in Illinois are regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board .

In Indiana, boat casinos can operate on the Ohio River , the Indiana Harbor , and the Patoka Lake Reservoir . They must be located at least 600 feet from the shore . Riverboat casinos in Indiana are regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission .

In this state, it’s legal for riverboat casinos to operate on the Mississippi River and the Missouri River . They must be located at least 300 feet from the shore and are regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission .

A riverboat casino in Louisiana is allowed to operate on the Mississippi River , the Red River , and the Gulf of Mexico as long as they are located at least 300 feet from the shore . The casinos here are regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board .

Obviously, a riverboat casino in Mississippi can be located on the Mississippi River at least 300 feet from the shore . Boat casinos in Mississippi are regulated by the Mississippi Gaming Commission .

Last but not least, Missouri riverboat casinos are allowed on the Mississippi River and the Missouri River at least 300 feet from the shore . Riverboat casinos in Missouri are regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission .

Brief History of Riverboat Casinos

Explore the history of riverboat casinos in the United States, tracing their origins, development, and impact on both the gambling industry and American culture.

19th Century: The Origins of Riverboat Gambling

The roots of riverboat gambling can be traced back to the 19th century when steamboats were the primary mode of transportation along the Mississippi River. As passengers went on long journeys, gambling became a popular pastime to pass the time. While gambling activities were generally illegal on land at that time, boats provided a loophole, as they were considered to be outside of state jurisdiction.

Early 20th Century: Decline and Revival

The invention of railroads in the early 20th century led to a logical decline in riverboat travel, and respectively, riverboat gambling. However, the 1970s saw a reappearance of interest in riverboat casinos, primarily because of the push to revitalize urban areas.

1990s: Expansion and Legalization

The 1990s marked a period of significant growth for riverboat casinos. Several states legalized riverboat gambling, and the industry expanded rapidly. By the late 1990s, there were over 150 riverboat casinos operating in the United States.

2005: Hurricane Katrina and Its Devastating Blow

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, causing widespread destruction and displacement. The storm severely impacted the boat casino industry in Mississippi and Louisiana, with several casinos suffering significant damage or complete destruction.

Late 2010s: Post-Katrina Recovery and Adaptation

The consequences of Hurricane Katrina brought significant changes to the riverboat casino industry. While some casinos managed to rebuild and reopen, others had to close permanently. The industry also faced increased competition from brick-and-mortar casinos, which were gaining popularity at that time.

Today: A Mature Industry

Today, a casino boat remains a popular form of entertainment in the United States. However, the industry has matured and consolidated, with the number of riverboat casinos decreasing in recent years. Despite these changes, riverboat casinos continue to be an important economic driver in many regions.

Popular Riverboat Casinos in the US

Now that we know all the theory about riverboat gambling, let’s get to practice and take a look at the most popular water casinos in the United States.

The Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin, Illinois

Located along the beautiful Fox River, The Grand Victoria Casino is a home (or rather a boat) of true gaming elegance. Known as the largest riverboat casino in Illinois, it boasts an impressive 65,000 square feet of gaming space including slots, table games, and a poker room. The casino also offers a variety of dining and entertainment options, including a steakhouse, a buffet, and a concert venue.

Ameristar Casino Vicksburg – Vicksburg, Mississippi

The Ameristar Casino Vicksburg is one of the oldest and most crowded riverboat casinos in Mississippi with over 50,000 square feet of gaming space . The wide choice of slots, table games, and poker tables is complemented by all kinds of entertainments, from the flavors of a diverse buffet to comedy clubs and nightclubs.

Horseshoe Casino – Bossier City, Louisiana

The Horseshoe Casino is one of the largest riverboat casinos in Louisiana and one of the most popular. It features over 100,000 square feet of gaming space , including slots, table games, and a poker room. The casino also offers a variety of dining and entertainment options, so players can choose between a steakhouse, a buffet, a concert venue, and others.

Sam’s Town Casino – Shreveport, Louisiana

Sam’s Town Casino is a popular destination for all kinds of gaming enthusiasts in and out of state. With a gaming space of over 34,000 square feet , this casino offers an intimate yet exhilarating experience. Beyond the slots, table games, and poker room, Sam’s Town welcomes gamers to savor a culinary journey with a steakhouse, a buffet, and a unique entertainment experience at the in-house bowling alley.

What is the Diamond Lady casino boat?

The Diamond Lady Riverboat Casino was a paddlewheel riverboat casino that operated on the Mississippi River in Bettendorf, Iowa, from 1991 to 2008. In 2021, the Diamond Lady sank during a severe winter storm. It was later raised and brought to shore, where it remains today. The future of the Diamond Lady is uncertain, but it is possible that it will be restored and reopened as a casino or museum.

Why do casinos have to be on water in the US?

Casinos in the US don’t necessarily have to be on the water, but there are some casinos that are. This practice originated when gambling laws were more restrictive on land, and the association of riverboat gambling with waterborne transportation became a legal requirement in some states.

Why are casinos on the water so popular?

Riverboat casinos are popular for their unique charm and historical allure. The on-water setting offers players a distinctive and memorable gaming experience, contributing to the popularity of these establishments. Additionally, the regulations associated with riverboat gambling create a controlled and regulated environment that appeals to both operators and players.

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December 12, 2022

How old do you have to be to gamble in the u.s..

This post on legal gambling age in the U.S. , was updated and republished on Monday, December 12, 2022.

• How old do you have to be to gamble?  In most states, you have to be at least 18 years old to do any form of gambling.
• What is the legal gambling age in your state?  Many states require you to be at least 21 years old to participate in certain types of gambling like sports betting or playing at a casino .
• Is the minimum gambling age different for the lottery?  You can typically play the lottery or bingo at age 18.

The  legal gambling age  is a topic of discussion for politicians and lawmakers throughout the U.S. as well as a safety measure from  casinos  and other  gambling entities  to prevent  underage gambling .

In the U.S., you have to be 18 years old to vote and 21 years old to drink alcohol. But  how old do you have to be to be able to legally gamble  in the United States? Well, the  minimum gambling age  depends on where you’re gambling and what you’re gambling on.

Unlike the voting and drinking age limits, there is  no national minimum age limit for gambling  in the U.S. Each individual state determines what kinds of gambling it allows within its borders and the  legal gambling age  for that specific form of gambling.

The variety of gambling options and gaming locations in any given state can make determining the  minimum gambling age  very challenging. Some states only offer the lottery and bingo and set the minimum age to 18 years old, while many others have more advanced gambling options like poker rooms,  online casinos , or virtual sports betting .

Here’s a breakdown of how old you have to be to gamble at your favorite games in every U.S. state.

Note:  The  legal gambling age  can change based on new gambling legislation, so the information provided in this  guide to gambling ages in the U.S. , is based on information collected in December 2022.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Gamble at a Casino?

Most states that have legalized casino gambling require you to be 21 years old to wager. However, some states set the minimum gambling age to 18 for brick-and-mortar casinos. Additionally, there are also some states which set the minimum gambling age depending on the specific casino, where one casino’s minimum age is 18 and another casino’s minimum age is 21.

As you can see, determining the  legal gambling age  for a land-based casino is not always black and white.

The age variance typically depends on the types of gambling games available at that casino. Some casinos may only have electronic  slots , keno, and horse or dog racing, but no table games like blackjack or baccarat .

Other casinos may have the whole gambit of casino game types from daily fantasy sports to poker . In addition, some casinos may restrict their patrons to 21 or older if they serve alcohol.

If you’re between the ages of 18 and 21, you should always check with the casino to confirm the minimum age and adhere to any gambling age restrictions set forth by that casino.

The minimum age to gamble can also depend on whether the casino is a tribal casino, which may have its own rules and minimum age requirements. Another thing to consider is that some states only allow cruise casinos, like riverboat casinos. Both Georgia and South Carolina allow casino gambling on cruises and may have unique age restrictions based on Maritime laws for that cruise.

Always check with the state’s law enforcement agencies for age limits and legal gambling activities.

Here’s a breakdown of each state’s minimum age for legal casino gambling as of December 2022:

*These states either have no legal casinos due to state gambling laws, limited casino operations, or tribal casinos with limited casino operations. The minimum ages presented reflect possible legal limits per our research, but these numbers should not be relied on for legal use.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Gamble at an Online Casino?

Online gambling age restrictions are a little easier to understand because online casinos throughout the country have the same minimum age.

In all states that allow online casino gambling, you must be 21 years or older to play. Online casinos are currently legal in the following six states:

• Connecticut
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia

Many other states are considering legalizing online casinos, especially considering there are many that have legalized online sports betting — and whenever those states launch online casinos , they will also require players to be 21 or older to gamble.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Play Poker?

While the gambling age for online casinos is straightforward, the minimum playing age for poker is a little more confusing. First, not every casino has a poker room, and many online casinos offer video poker but not traditional poker like Texas Hold’em.

If you’re playing at a physical casino, you may be able to gamble at tables on the casino floor or in separate poker rooms — depending on the casino.

While some states may allow you access to the casino at 18 years old, you may have to be older to sit at the poker tables. Here are the minimum age requirements to legally play poker in the following states:

How Old Do You Have To Be To Play Online Poker?

If you want to test your luck at online gambling by playing poker online, you’ll need to be at least 18. Many online poker sites allow players 18 years and older, but some may require you to be 21 years old. The age requirements can depend on the individual poker site and your state’s age requirements for playing poker.

While online poker on sites like PokerStars , Full Tilt, and Party Poker used to be legal throughout the country, the Supreme court passed a law in 2010 declaring online poker unlawful outside of the states which had approved online gambling legislation.

As of December 2022, online poker for real money is currently only allowed in the following seven states:

To determine the legal gambling age for online poker in your state, if it’s one of the seven above), you will need to read the age restrictions outlined by the virtual poker room for which you wish to sign up.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Play Bingo?

Gambling on bingo is literally a game of chance, but knowing whether you meet the minimum gambling age for playing bingo in your state is not.

Most states require you to be at least 18 years old to play bingo, while a few states may require you to be 21 years old. Surprisingly, the minimum gambling age for bingo in a few states is only 16 years old.

Bingo is commonly played at bingo halls, community centers, churches, and other brick-and-mortar locations, and the profits typically go to local nonprofit causes. You can also play bingo online at some New Jersey-based online casinos , too. Because of the latitude of where bingo is played, the minimum age also has more flexibility than your traditional gambling games.

Here’s a breakdown of the legal age requirements to play a bingo game in various U.S. states:

Note: Since bingo is often played to help nonprofits raise money, states that typically don’t allow gambling may have legal bingo games. However, the age minimums presented reflect possible legal limits per our research, but these numbers should not be relied on for legal use.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Play the Lottery?

Gambling on the lottery is one. of the most frequent forms of gambling in the country. It’s estimated that a little more than 50% of people in the U.S. play the lottery and that the average person spends $1,000 annually gambling on the lottery.

In fact, millions of tickets were recently sold for a single lottery drawing — the world-record $2.04 billion prize for the Powerball drawing in November 2022. A single ticket sold in California hit and the winner walked away with a lump sum of $997.6 million.

In most U.S. states, you have to be 18 years old to play the lottery, including in-state lotteries and multi-state lottery drawings like the Powerball mentioned above. However, there are five states that do not have an in-state lottery or participate in multi-state lottery drawings:

• Alaska (no official lottery)

Both Arkansas and Mississippi established an in-state lottery and started participating in multi-state drawings, like Powerball and Mega Millions, in the past few years after being some of the few hold-outs. States like Alabama and Hawaii have recently attempted to start their own lotteries, but the legislation failed.

Unlike casino games, the minimum gambling age for the state lottery is usually lower. Here are the age requirements to play the lottery across the U.S.

Note: Be sure to check your state’s official lottery site to verify your state’s minimum age.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Play Online Lottery?

Although not as popular as other gambling games or virtual betting, some states do allow you to enter lotteries online. In the states that do offer online lottery, you must be at least 18 years old to play. There are currently eight states that have online lottery:

• North Dakota
• North Carolina
• New Hampshire

How Old Do You Have To Be To Bet on Horse & Dog Racing?

Betting on dog and horse racing are two of the oldest forms of gambling, and while dog and horse racing may be less popular than they were a few decades ago, they are still really popular for gamblers.

In most states that offer horse and dog racing, you have to be at least 18 years old to wager. However, some states do require you to be 21 years or older.

Among the states listed below, some may offer only horse racing, while others allow horse and greyhound dog racing. Many states have outright banned dog racing due to inhuman practices.

In addition, some states may only allow you to bet on horse and dog racing via pari-mutuel betting, which is covered later in this article. If you see a state with “n/a” next to it, you may be able to find the legal betting age for horse and dog racing in the “How Old Do You Have To Be To Do Pari-Mutuel Betting?” section below.

With all those disclaimers out of the way, here’s a breakdown of legal age requirements for horse and dog racing in the U.S.:

Note: Always check with your state’s law enforcement agencies or with the casino/sportsbook/race track operators for official age requirements. Legislation is still active in many states.

How Old Do You Have To Be for Sports Betting?

Sports betting is one of the fastest-growing sectors of gambling throughout the U.S., and many people are curious not only about whether their state allows legal sports betting, but what the minimum age requirement for sports betting is in their hometown.

Most states that allow sports betting require you to be at least 21 years old, though there are a few states that allow those who are 18 and older to place bets. What’s more, there are many states that have passed legislation to allow sports betting, either in-person or online through mobile sportsbooks.

Unfortunately, the legislation surrounding legal sports betting is in constant flux with some states legalizing and then reversing the ruling. For example, Florida legalized sports betting for almost a month in 2021 before a federal judge stepped in to overturn the sports betting deal with the Seminole tribe — banning sportsbooks once again.

As of December 2022, the states that currently do not allow sports betting are:

• South Carolina

* Has a limited number of in-person sports books at tribal casinos, but no legal official online sportsbooks

Some of the states that currently allow legal sports betting (Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Ohio) have passed legislation allowing sportsbooks but have yet to launch consumer-facing products to facilitate sports betting.

Other states may allow you to make wagers on legally operated offshore sportsbook sites, while others prohibit all forms of sports wagers.

Here are the states that do legally offer sports betting, the age requirements to do so, and whether they have online and/or in-person sports betting opportunities.

* Has limited number of in-person sports books at tribal casinos, but no legal official online sportsbooks

** Cannot make bets on in-state college teams or teams based in the district

✝ Cannot make bets on in-state college teams or collegiate events taking place in the state

✝✝ Cannot make prop bets on in-state college athletics

§ Cannot make bets on minor league games or in-state college teams  

How Old Do You Have To Be To Do Pari-Mutuel Betting?

Pari-mutuel, or pool betting, is a common betting practice for dog and horse racing. There are 10 states that do not allow this type of gambling:

Of the 39 states that do allow pari-mutuel gambling, most require you to be at least 18 years old to participate, though other states make the minimum age 21. Here’s a breakdown of the age requirements for pari-mutuel gambling in the 39 states that allow it:

Note: The age minimums presented reflect possible legal limits per our research, but these numbers should not be relied on for legal use. Always check with your state’s law enforcement agencies or with the casino/sportsbook/race track operators.

How Old Do You Have To Gamble in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, you typically have to be 21 years of age to play at your favorite New Jersey online casino or make a wager at an online sportsbook. You can read our reviews of the best welcome bonus offers for new players to find the best online casino or sportsbook for you.

Why It’s Important to Know the Legal Gambling Age

This guide to legal gambling ages throughout the country and based on different casino games is meant to provide a framework to help mitigate underage gamblers and illegal gambling while educating you on the nuances of age restrictions from one gambling form to the next and across various state lines.

Not only is it interesting how old you have to be to gamble in different states or on different forms of gambling, but the ongoing changes in the gambling industry are illustrated by the lack of consistency across the country and with the frequent changing of requirements.

Understanding the legal gambling age for your state is an important step for anyone interested in gambling online or in person at a casino.

In addition to our in-depth guides and reviews, we understand the appeal of testing the waters before diving in. That’s why at Great.com, we’re excited to offer you the opportunity to play slots for free. This is a fantastic way to familiarize yourself with various slot games and find your favorites without any risk. Our comprehensive slots guide not only provides valuable insights and information but also grants access to free versions of popular slot games. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to explore new titles or a newcomer curious about the thrill of slots, our guide caters to all interests and levels of experience. Experience the excitement of slot games without any commitment by visiting our slot reviews , where you can play slots for free and discover all there is to know about this captivating world.

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A State-by-State Guide to the Legal Poker Age in the United States

Poker remains the most popular card game in the United States and luckily, players have plenty of options for in-person poker games. Resort casinos, poker rooms, tribal casinos on Native American lands, and online poker sites are available across the country. Each state sets its own gambling laws, so not every state may have every option available.

In some states, you only have to be over 18 to play poker legally. The rest require players to be over 21. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive guide on where you can legally play poker in the US, grouped by legal age.

Which US States have Poker Options for Over 18s?

For poker players between the ages of 18 and 20, options for playing poker at a venue are limited in the United States. Despite 18 being the legal age of adulthood, many states use the legal drinking age of 21 as the minimum gambling age. One of the reasons for this is that many casinos require all players to be over 21 so that they can provide their patrons with free alcohol.

This doesn’t mean that there are no options for younger card sharks. The following states all have options for players who are over 18 to play poker.

Players over 18 can play poker in California, but it’s at the discretion of the casino or cardroom. Most casinos and cardrooms only allow players who are over 21 because they serve alcohol. Some 18+ options include Morongo Casino in Cabazon and Chicken Ranch Casino in Jamestown.

Florida has some of the best poker rooms in the country for players over 18. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale area alone has 12 poker rooms. The Seminole Hard Rock Casino has 40 tables and frequently hosts top-tier poker tournaments as well as daily tournaments.

Despite having fairly strict gambling regulations, Illinois makes an exception for charity poker rooms. Rockford Charitable Games Association is a popular poker room in Chicago. While these rooms might not have the glitz of a resort casino, players do get the perk of knowing that even if they don’t have the best night at the table, they’ve helped a charity simply by playing.

Horse racing is Kentucky’s favorite form of gambling but that doesn’t mean the state doesn’t make time for the occasional poker game. There are three private social clubs in the state that host poker games and tournaments. The Royal Social Club is the only one that accepts players aged from 18.

Michigan has both charity poker rooms and resort casinos with poker. The charity poker rooms accept players who are over 18 but the casinos do not due to liquor license concerns. Rosemack Poker Room and Corunna Poker Room are both popular options with plenty of action.

Michigan residents are also lucky enough to have access to online poker, though these sites are only for players who are over 21. WSOP.com, PokerStars , and BetMGM are all licensed in Michigan, though the player pool is limited to in-state players.

Minnesota is known for its lakes, golf courses, and card rooms. State law permits patrons over 18 to play poker in card rooms and there are plenty of options for the young poker fan. Running Aces Casino & Racetrack has a poker room that’s open 24/7 and Canterbury Park has frequent tournaments and the closest thing you’ll find to no-limit poker in the state!

Montana’s poker culture is geared towards small, independent poker rooms with only one or two tables. Seat Open at the Cat’s Paw in Bozeman, Queen of Hearts Card Club in Billings, and the VFW Poker Room in Missoula are all local favorites.

New Hampshire

Like many states, New Hampshire only allows for charitable gambling, which extends to poker . While the legislature changed last year to legalize online gambling, the state did move to raise bet limits at its casinos. The Brook Poker Room and Casino has an 18-table poker room. In short, the state, which has been called “ the Texas of New England ” is a great place to play!

Technically, the legal age to play poker in New York is 18, but it can be hard to find a table that takes players that age. If you don’t leave the Big Apple, you’ll be limited to home games, however, the rest of New York has some great options for 21+ poker. Del Lago Resort Casino and Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino have several poker tables.

Ohio has the best of both worlds for poker players—small poker rooms with a club feel to them and major casinos for the full experience. Deep Stack Poker & Card Room in Hilliard is a local hot spot that is open to players over 18. The bigger casinos, including the Hollywood Casinos in Toledo and Columbus, are only for players over 21.

Oklahoma is a great state for poker players, with 17 poker rooms available for players over 18. As one of the biggest casinos in the entire world, WinStar World Casino is worth visiting just for the experience—but they do also have a world-class 55-table poker room to up the ante. Also an excellent option is Choctaw Casino and Resort , in Durant.

Oregon has slightly complicated age restrictions. Players must be over 21 to play poker at regular casinos, over 18 at Tribal casinos without a liquor license, over 21 at Tribal casinos with a liquor license, and over 18 at members-only poker rooms. The Diamond Poker Room and the Full House Poker Club both accept players over 18.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a tiny state but still has poker options for players over 18. The state-licensed casinos with poker are Bally’s Twin River Casino and Tiverton Casino. The Bally’s poker room has recently reopened and currently has 12 tables for 4 poker variants.

Washington allows 18-year-olds to play poker at casinos that do not have a liquor license, otherwise, players must be over 21. The options for players aged 18-20 include Fortune Poker Room in Renton and Ace’s Poker just outside Seattle.

The cowboy state has several casinos but many of them only have slots. There are some small poker rooms dotted around the state. The 307 Poker Room in Laramie has three tables and a number of promotions for players.

Which US States have Poker Options for Over 21s?

In most American states, card rooms have a minimum age of 21 years old. Below are the states that have poker options — either online or in person — for players who are over 21.

Arizona is a destination for sun lovers and poker fans! From upscale resorts like Casino del Sol in Tucson to classic poker rooms including The Arena Poker Room in Scottsdale, there’s a table for everyone.

In 2018, Arkansas finally passed a law allowing for the development of full casinos that included poker rooms. Progress has been slow and there is currently only one poker room in operation—The Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff.

Making the short trip from Denver to Black Hawk takes players to poker heaven. Between the Ameristar, Bally’s, Horseshoe, and Monarch Casinos, there are almost 50 tables.

Connecticut

Like many states, the only legal casinos in Connecticut are those run by Native American tribes. Connecticut has two of the country’s most luxurious casinos—Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods—and both have great options for poker players. Mohegan Sun has 33 tables while Foxwoods has 54 live tables and 60 permanent tournament tables.

Delaware is a tiny state and currently has one active poker room at the Delaware Park Casino & Racing. The poker room at Harrington Raceway & Casino is temporarily closed but will hopefully be reopened soon.

Even with limited access to live tables, poker fans shouldn’t worry about missing out. Delaware has legalized online poker and there are several options for players. Besides WSOP, there are sites affiliated with each of the state’s three raceway casinos—Harrington Raceway, Dover Downs, and Delaware Park. Delaware shares a player pool with Nevada and New Jersey.

Indiana has a few poker rooms for players over 21, and tables at all of the major casinos. French Lick Resort has several live tables, and the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond has a poker room as well as video poker machines.

Iowa seems to be on the cusp of legalizing online poker in the next year or two but until then, players can enjoy the poker rooms at several casinos. Riverside Casino & Golf Resort has a 10-table poker room, Bally’s Quad Cities has a small poker room, and the Wild Rose Casino in Clinton is a converted riverboat with poker tables.

Kansas has limited options for poker players but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any tables. Prairie Band Casino offers several varieties of poker, including some that are hard to find elsewhere, like Criss Cross and Ultimate Texas Hold’em Progressive.

Louisiana is a state renowned for its ability to celebrate and have fun, so of course they have some great casino options. The most unique poker experience can be had on a riverboat casino, like the Treasure Chest, The Queen Baton Rouge, or the Amelia Belle.

Maine isn’t a poker destination. The only dedicated poker room closed in 2020 and the remaining option, the Oxford Casino, only offers poker games irregularly.

Maryland might be one of poker’s best-kept secrets. The Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore has a 23-table WSOP poker room, the MGM Casino has a poker room with 45 tables, and the Live! Casino has 50 tables.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts law only allows for private poker games and poker in the state’s two casinos. The MGM in Springfield and the Encore Boston Harbor Casino both have poker rooms with almost 40 tables between them.

Mississippi

Mississippi allows gambling at any of the state’s many casinos. The Hard Rock Casino and the Treasure Bay Casino are both in Biloxi and are popular places to play.

Missouri has many options for poker fans who are over 21. Most of the state’s casinos are located in Kansas City and St Louis. If you want a poker table with a view, the Horseshoe St Louis has multiple poker tables and is located in the heart of the city near the banks of the Mississippi River.

Nevada is the heart of poker in the US. Las Vegas has many of the best casinos and poker rooms in the country and nearly all of the leading gambling brands are represented.

Nevada has also embraced online gambling and legal online poker is available. WSOP.com has a shared player pool with Delaware and New Jersey.

New Jersey is the US’s second-most-famous gambling destination. Atlantic City is also home to some of the country’s best poker tournaments and events. The state offers both online and live poker options for players, so there’s always some action happening.

New Mexico has two casinos with poker rooms. The Sandia Resort & Casino has a poker room with 14 tables and hosts tournaments.

North Carolina

North Carolina has very limited options for poker fans. Thankfully, the poker room it does have is a great one! The poker room at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort has 32 tables and is a regular host of a World Series of Poker circuit event.

North Dakota

North Dakota has a small population and isn’t a very active gambling market. There are still a few small poker rooms for players who are over 21. Dakota Magic Casino, 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, and Sky Dancer Casino all have small poker rooms with a few tables.

Pennsylvania

Many people are shocked to discover that the same state that is home to the Amish is also home to some of the best casinos in the country. Parx Casino has 48 tables and between their two locations in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Rivers Casinos have 58 tables. There’s a seat for everyone in Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania was also one of the first states to legalize online gambling, though it does not yet share a player pool with other states. There are four online options for poker fans—PokerStars, WSOP, BetMGM, and BorgataPoker.

South Dakota

The Wild West days left their mark on South Dakota and players who want to feel like poker-playing outlaws will find several options in the state. Cadillac Jack’s has a dedicated poker room in a modern resort casino while Saloon #10 in the heart of Deadwood is a living piece of history where you can play poker in the same spot as cowboy legend Wild Bill Hickok !

The legal status of poker in Texas is very complex and groups on both sides have been battling in the legislature to either close the loopholes that make private poker rooms legal or to rewrite the law so it clearly allows these clubs to exist. For the moment, there are nearly 60 poker rooms across the state and most of them have a waitlist to register, so sign up now to get dealt in soon.

In 2022, Virginia finally legalized casino gaming. Caesars and Hard Rock are currently operating in temporary buildings while their casinos are under construction in Danville and Bristol, respectively. The Rivers Casino in Portsmouth opened in 2023 and has a dedicated poker room with 24 tables.

West Virginia

West Virginia only has a few casinos in the state, but the Mountaineer Casino has some tables, and the Mardi Gras Casino has just opened a dedicated poker room. What makes West Virginia special is its online gambling legislation. In just a few short years since legalization, four online casinos with poker options have begun operating in the state.

Wisconsin has almost as many poker rooms as it has types of cheese! Lake of the Torches Casino, Seven Winds Casino, and the Oneida Casino all have a variety of poker options.

What US States is Poker Illegal In?

Unfortunately, there are still some states that do not have any legal poker options. These states do not currently have anywhere for people to play cards but that doesn’t mean it will always be that way.

Poker and all other games of chance are prohibited by the Alabama state constitution. This includes in-person and online poker.

Alaska also does not have any venues for licensed poker games.

The Peach State has some of the toughest gambling restrictions in the country. Thankfully, that only limits gambling for real money—there are still tons of poker leagues across the state where players compete for points and prizes. The Atlanta Poker Club League is one of the most active and popular.

Hawaii is an island paradise with so much to entertain and enchant visitors, including beautiful beaches, volcanic scenery, and vibrant cities. What they don’t have, however, is anywhere to play poker. Gambling of any kind is completely banned in the state.

Idaho has strict gambling laws that ban games of chance. The tribal casinos in the state do offer some video poker machines but that’s the closest you’ll be able to get to a real poker game there. The Coeur d’Alene and Shoshone-Bannock Casinos both have video poker machines.

In 2020, Nebraska passed legislation that made full casinos possible. Currently, there are no live poker rooms in the state, but the Warhorse Casino in Lincoln does have video slots. As long as no entry fee is charged, poker tournaments are also legal.

South Carolina

South Carolina bans all forms of gambling in the state, so you won’t be able to find any poker tables. If you step onboard the Big “M” Casino boat, however, you can play three card poker at one of their tables while you’re cruising in federal waters.

Tennessee has a complete ban on games of chance and there are no casinos or live poker rooms in the state.

Utah is one of the few states with a total ban on all forms of gambling, even lotteries. It also has some of the harshest penalties, making the Beehive State a bad place to try your luck.

Vermont doesn’t allow any gambling in the state. Lucky for players, New Hampshire and New York both have casinos that are very close to state lines. The Lebanon Poker Room is particularly popular.

Poker is Legal in 80% of the United States

Poker remains a firm favorite across the country. From family games in rec rooms in Michigan to high roller tables in Las Vegas and community poker games in New York, you can find people enjoying poker in every form.

Only 10 states don’t have some form of legal live poker. The other 40 states have a variety of resort casinos, poker rooms, and private card clubs. In 15 states, players who are over 18 can play a hand, while the other 25 states require players to be over 21.

Unless you’re in Alaska or Hawaii, it’s always easy to find a casino close by, even if it means a short drive across state lines!

Ed. Note: An original version of this article was published in August 2022. We’ve updated the information in accordance with regulatory developments across many of the 50 US States.

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Connor Whiteley

Connor Whiteley is a financial services professional and freelance writer who spends as much time as possible on the felt. Previously, Connor was a dealer in various underground Los Angeles poker games, but left the city and those games to raise his daughter with his loving wife Jennifer. Connor is constantly staying up to date […]

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Gambling Age in the US

• The legal gambling age varies by state depending on the type of game offered
• Tribal casinos are not required to follow local laws and may allow people as young as 18 years old.
• Different types of gambling may have different minimum ages. For example, horse races can accept bettors aged 18 or older.
• Some states permit certain forms of gambling (e.g., poker) for those over 18

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in the US?

In the United States , most casinos, both online and offline , have a minimum age of 21 . That said, local laws and the rules of online casino sites may sometimes differ. For example, some casino sites let people who are 18 years old play . However, if the regulations of the state say players have to be 21, gamers have to follow the local law.

The 21-year-old rule helps prevent underage gambling and the issues that may come with it. It also helps encourage responsible gambling .

Casinos often serve alcohol on the gaming floor, so a 21-year limit is usually put in place to match the national drinking age.

Gambling Age by State

Gambling Age at Tribal Casinos

Tribal casinos are controlled by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and therefore do not have to follow local laws unless they have a deal with the state. If the state law says that you have to be 21 to gamble, the tribal casino is not required to follow that rule.

Most tribal casinos allow people as young as 18 years old. But these casinos will raise the age limit so that there is less confusion about drinking alcohol on their casino floors.

Different types of gambling can also have different minimum ages. For example, most casinos set the age limit for casino games at 21 , but people as young as 18 can bet on horse races, play bingo , and buy lottery tickets .

Can 18-year-olds go to casinos?

18-year-olds may be able to visit a casino, depending on the state and the type of game on offer. Minimum gambling ages vary by state because each state has its own regulations governing or prohibiting various forms of gaming. Each state determines its own gambling age.

However, tribal casinos across the nation are governed by the Federal Indian Gaming Regulations and state compacts, not state legislation. Therefore, they determine their own gaming age.

This is why many tribal casinos have the nation's lowest gaming age of 18 years old . In spite of this, the legal gambling age in the majority of states ranges from 18 to 21 years old , depending on the type of gambling. This means that it may be different for sports betting, state lotteries, and casinos.

Even though most tribal casinos have the ability to set the minimum gambling age at 18, many of them choose to boost it to 21 so that they can sell alcoholic beverages without violating the national legal drinking age.

Some states with a minimum gambling age of 18 years and above include:

California Casinos: The minimum age to enter some card rooms and tribal casinos in California is 18 .

Florida Casinos: The minimum age to play poker and bingo at Florida tribal casinos is 18 , but the age to play casino games is 21 .

Georgia Casinos: Georgia doesn't have any land-based casinos, although offshore cruises there allow gambling for those 1 8 years of age or older.

Idaho Casinos: The legal gambling age is 18, but some establishments only allow patrons older than 21.

Michigan Casinos: The legal age to gamble in tribal casinos in Michigan is 18 , but in commercial casinos in Detroit, it is 21.

Minnesota Casinos: Although there aren't many games in casinos, the legal gambling age there is 18.

Montana Casinos: Tribal casinos there require a legal age of 18.

Oklahoma Casinos: The age requirement to enter Oklahoma's tribal casinos is 18.

Washington Casinos: The age restriction is 18 and above at Washington's tribal casinos.

Wyoming Casinos: Tribal casinos in the state require guests to be 18 or older.

Can anyone aged 18 enter casinos?

Most casinos permit minors under the age of 18 to stroll through the casino, but they are not permitted to stand near the gaming sections. In certain casinos, you must travel through the gaming section to reach the restaurant or other family-friendly facilities, such as the arcade.

There are various situations in which 18-year-olds may be permitted to enter a casino. For instance, some states let 18-year-olds work in gambling establishments, while others do not.

The type of casino game a person under the age of 18 wishes to play will also determine whether or not they are permitted entrance.

Due to the differing age restrictions for various forms of gambling, some 18-year-olds will be permitted in card rooms with a minimum age limit of 18 years but will not be permitted in casino-style gaming halls where the games have a minimum age restriction of 21 years.

Can 18-year-olds play poker?

Only a small number of the 39 US states that allow land-based state-regulated poker gambling also allow poker gambling for those under the age of 18. Some of these states have commercial casinos and poker rooms where people over 18 can play poker, while others are limited by state regulations but find legal protection through tribal loopholes.

The following is a list of the states where anyone above the age of eighteen can legally participate in poker and other forms of gambling:

• California (certain tribal casinos)
• Michigan (certain tribal casinos)
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma (certain tribal casinos)
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota

Most online poker rooms have distinct policies regarding the minimum age required to play. These restrictions are dependent on the poker room's location.

Some poker sites require players to be at least 21 years old to participate in online poker. However, the majority of online poker rooms put the minimum age at 18 .

Can 18-year-olds bet on horses?

Most states permit bettors as young as 18 to participate in horse racing wagering. This entails both in-person and remote wagering on live and simulated horse races. Since most wagering on horse races takes place at outside racetracks, unlike at sportsbooks, there is no need to prevent minors from entering the establishment.

Many markets accept bets from betting fans aged 18 and up, which is appropriate given that race tracks generally welcome the whole family coming to watch the events.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in an Indian Casino?

What's the legal tribal age requirement.

Tribal areas are not subject to local state gaming regulations and establish their own age restrictions. The majority of casinos on tribal grounds have an 18-year-old minimum gaming age. In order to comply with national legal drinking age regulations, however, tribal casinos that seek to sell alcohol typically raise their minimum age to 21.

Who regulates the gambling laws?

The National Indian Gaming Commission was founded in 1988 following the adoption of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). The Act was enacted to support and promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments through the operation of gaming on Indian territory.

The Act establishes a legal foundation for federal control of Indian gaming. IGRA created the Commission to regulate and support tribal gaming as a means of generating cash for tribal communities ( See 25 U.S.C. Section 2704 ).

The Commission has three full-time members, including a chairperson and two associate commissioners. The Chair is selected by the President and ratified by the Senate. The Secretary of the Interior selects the two Associate Commissioners. The Vice Chair of the Commission is chosen by a democratic majority. At least two members of the Commission must be members of a federally-recognized Indian tribe, and no more than two members may be affiliated with the same political party.

The National Indian Gaming Commission is charged with the functions listed below:

• Regulating and monitoring certain aspects of Indian regulating and monitoring certain aspects of Indian gaming;
• Regulating and monitoring certain aspects of Indian gaming;
• Coordinating its regulatory responsibilities with tribal regulatory agencies;
• Providing training and technical assistance to tribal regulatory agencies;
• Reviewing and approving tribal gaming ordinances and management agreements;
• Reviewing the backgrounds of individuals and entities to determine their suitability to manage or invest in Indian gaming; overseeing and reviewing the conduct and regulatory compliance of Indian gaming operators; and
• Coordinating its regulatory responsibilities with tribal regulatory agencies.

Differences Between Commercial and Tribal Casinos

Payback percentages.

Generally speaking, a fundamental distinction between a commercial casino and a tribal gaming facility is that commercial casinos publicize their payback percentages, whereas tribal gaming facilities do not.

There are exceptions: Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are required by their compacts to reveal their payback information. Consequently, only Connecticut requires tribal gambling facilities to provide their overall payback information.

In contrast, the majority of commercial casinos must publish data. The manner in which this data is disclosed differs by jurisdiction. Nevada only reports data in clusters of casinos, protecting the direct payback information of an individual casino from being surfaced. In the vast majority of other markets, casino payouts are shared.

In many cases, it is published per denomination, but this is not always the case: in New Jersey, you only get a monthly overview of each casino (but an annual report breaks each casino down further by denomination). Similar to Massachusetts , monthly reporting in Massachusetts simply includes information regarding the total amount of paybacks.

Operation and Other Services

There are special standards to observe in commercial gambling markets. As part of the compacts, hours of operation and beverage serving rules must be obeyed, and some constraints will apply to the operation in general.

Most casinos are open 24 hours a day. But in unusual instances, such as the COVID-19 epidemic , some commercial casinos were required to follow municipal and state government rules regarding non-essential business shutdowns. However, tribal gaming facilities, being on sovereign land, were not shut down. That is not to say that tribal facilities did not follow the lead of state administrations, but they still had the flexibility to decide when to close/open and what limits to impose.

Type of Games Offered

Typically, a commercial casino is authorized to provide a range of games, including slot machines, video poker, and table games. These games belong to Class III or the Vegas variety. Most Hard Rock Casino locations are run by tribal operators like Mohegan Sun and the Seminoles.

A tribal gaming casino, on the other hand, is a casino established on sovereign land governed by a Native American tribe. Due to the fact that these casinos are located on sovereign property, the games they provide fall into two categories: Class II and Class III :

Class II Gaming: Class II gaming includes bingo and Bingo-related gadgets . In practice, many bingo machines resemble slot machines, but they feature a bingo card, and their profits and losses are still determined by Bingo.

If their state allows gaming for any reason, recognized tribes are generally able to organize Class II gaming on their grounds. If Bingo is given, additional side games like pull tabs can be provided on the same site. Non-banked card games, in which players compete against one another as opposed to the house or a player acting as the bank, may also be offered in Class II.

Class III Gaming: The same Las Vegas-style games permitted in commercial casinos are permitted at indigenous gaming establishments. However, there are conditions, such as the state permitting such activities and the tribe having an agreement with the state sanctioning such games on their land. This agreement must be sanctioned by the federal government.

Are 18-year-olds Allowed to Drink at Casinos that allow them in?

Casinos in the United States are not permitted to provide alcohol to minors. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act specifies that the legal age to purchase or consume alcohol in public in the United States is 21. This statute was enacted in 1984. All states are expected to comply with this law to qualify for certain forms of federal funding.

In addition, the majority of state-regulated casinos are licensed to provide alcoholic beverages to their customers. Therefore, allowing underage drinking on their premises would jeopardize their liquor licenses and expose them to criminal charges that might result in jail time.

State gaming statutes do not apply to tribal casinos. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act regulates and grants them sovereignty over tribal territories. Since federal law regulates tribal casinos, it would not make sense for them to go against federal regulations. Additionally, allowing underage drinking at their casinos would violate the provisions of their compacts with the states in which they are located.

There are few exceptions to the national drinking age, but they rarely apply to the casino environment. Here are some exceptions to the legal drinking age and other underage drinking regulations:

Educational purposes. In general, students in culinary school are required to consume tiny amounts of alcohol as part of their curriculum.

Religious services. Minors in the United States are permitted to consume alcohol as part of a religious service or celebration, such as drinking wine during a church service in 26 states.

Lawful employment. Minors who work in the restaurant or food and beverage business may be able to purchase alcohol for their jobs, but they are usually not permitted to consume it.

Parental, guardian, or spousal consent. In rare cases, minors may consume alcohol in the presence of a family member with parental consent.

Law enforcement purposes. This may allow a minor to consume alcohol to go undercover or engage in a sting operation.

Medical reasons. Alcohol may be found in small amounts in certain items and treatments.

Children traveling across a gaming floor to enter a non-gambling area, such as a restaurant or other children-friendly environment on the premises, are examples of scenarios that may apply to a casino. In some cases, minor workers are permitted to work on the casino floor. However, none of these instances should result in minors drinking alcohol on casino property!

Are Gambling Ages Different for Online casinos?

Yes. Online casino gambling ages will vary for a variety of reasons. The regulatory authorities determine the minimum age for online gambling, and casinos are required to monitor and enforce it. As may be expected, like all other laws, the gambling age varies from country to country. Consequently, significant casino operators and bookmakers with licenses allowing them to offer their services in different jurisdictions must modify their online venues to avoid violating the law.

Regardless of the minimum age given by an online casino, players are subject to the regulations of the nation in which they reside. This implies that if a casino permits players as young as 18, but your country's laws require you to be at least 21 to gamble online, your country's regulations take precedence, and a minimum age of 21 is necessary.

What happens if I’m an underage gambler?

The legal gambling age and the penalties for underage betting are determined at the state level.

If a minor is detected and convicted of underage gambling, they might face a fine of up to $1,000 and a license suspension of up to six months in most jurisdictions. The potential for jail time and a criminal record are additional risks. It is a misdemeanor to gamble as an underage person and a misdemeanor for a parent to provide a juvenile with access to gambling knowingly.

A licensed casino might face fines and even lose its gambling license if it is found to have knowingly permitted an underage customer to gamble there.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in Nevada?

Nevada has a legal gambling age of 21 years old. Regardless of whether you want to gamble at a land-based or online casino, you must be at least 21 years old to participate in gambling. You must be at least 21 years old to participate in any type of gambling in the state, including casino gambling, poker, horse racing betting, and bingo.

In addition, persons below 21 years are not permitted to enter casinos , even if they are accompanied by an adult. There is no variation in minimum age amongst Nevada municipalities. The plain truth is that if you want to gamble in Reno or Las Vegas , you need to be 21 years old.

In 2017, a measure proposing to decrease Nevada's legal gambling age to 18 years old was introduced, with its author arguing that if a person is old enough to serve in the military, they should also be old enough to bet in Las Vegas. It died in the same way as similar legislation had a decade before.

Who Regulates Nevada's Gambling Laws?

Nevada's gambling laws are enforced by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission . The three-person Board oversees the implementation of gaming rules and regulations and advises the Commission on licensing issues.

The Board is responsible for approving new requirements, investigating existing licensees, conducting background checks, and conducting audits of gaming establishments. The five part-time members of the commission have the final say on licensing decisions, rulemaking, and licensee punishments for infractions of the rules.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Nevada?

If you are under 21 and gamble at a Las Vegas casino, you are committing a crime and might lose more than a few chips if you are found guilty.

The legal gambling age in Nevada is 21 years old. Under NRS 463.350 , a person under the age of 21 shall not:

• Play, be permitted to play, place wagers at, or receive wins from any gambling game, slot machine, racing book, sports pool, or pari-mutuel operator, either personally or through an agent.
• Permit or encourage loitering in or about any place or property where licensed games, race books, sports pools, or pari-mutuel wagering are operated or conducted.
• Work as a casino employee outside of the counting room.

This means that loitering in a casino when underage is illegal. In addition, parents should be aware that the legislation penalizes anybody who "permits the violation of any of the terms of this section."

• A violation of NRS 463.350 is a Nevada misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in prison upon conviction.
• In addition to these penalties, you will be expelled from the casino immediately, and you will be prevented from keeping any major wins during your stay there.
• If you obtained a phony ID in order to gamble, drink alcohol, or purchase cigarettes in Las Vegas, you are guilty of a separate misdemeanor that carries up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in New Jersey?

In order to legally gamble in New Jersey, individuals must be at least 21 years old . This age restriction applies to both offline and internet gambling. In other words, you must be at least 21 years old to place wagers on slot machines, card games, sports betting, and video poker at land-based casinos or online casinos.

However, the minimum age for wagering on horse racing, bingo, keno , and the lottery is 18. Gambling for charity, entertainment games, and social gambling has no age restrictions.

The Casino Control Act of 1983 addressed the issue of gambling by minors in New Jersey. The House and Senate voted to amend the minimum gambling age in casinos to 21, the same as the legal gambling age in all U.S. states. The law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from entering any casino or simulcasting facility in Atlantic City.

Who regulates New Jersey Gambling Laws?

The Casino Control Act is enforced by the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) , a law enforcement organization that also serves as the regulatory system's investigative branch for casinos.

Attorneys, investigators, and accountants make up the DGE staff, which is also assisted by Department of Criminal Justice (DCJ) prosecutors and New Jersey State Troopers . DGE reviews and audits casino-hotel operations; reviews and prosecutes all crimes related to casinos.

The Division also tests all casino slot machines, casino floor systems, and Internet gaming platform systems before use. It conducts investigations, produces reports, and, when necessary, challenges the qualifications of individual and corporate applicants for casinos and casino-related licenses.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in New Jersey?

If someone under the legal age to gamble in New Jersey does so anyway, they will be charged with a crime (which will stay on their record forever), fined between $500 and $1,000 , and have their license taken away for six months.

Teenagers who are 17 or younger and don't have a driver's license will get one six months after the date it was given out. Anyone over 21 who forces or convinces someone under 21 to gamble could be charged with being a disorderly person.

How old do you have to be to Gamble in Mississippi?

In Mississippi , the legal casino gambling age is 21 years old . The statewide gambling age is 18, but most casinos have alcohol licenses, making it reasonable for state judicial officials and casinos to require players to be at least 21.

The following are the minimum ages for various forms of gambling in Mississippi: For casinos, the minimum age is 21; for poker, it is 21; for bingo, it is 18. For horse racing, it is 21; and for the lottery, it is 18.

Since online casinos, online poker, and daily fantasy sports are banned in the state, an age restriction is unnecessary.

Gambling in Mississippi centers around riverboat casinos, commercial land-based casinos, and tribal land-based casinos. Although the legal age to gamble and enter a casino is 21, the Federal Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act exempts tribal casinos from state authority and allows them to decrease the minimum age to 18 .

If the tribal casino's gaming floor serves alcohol, the minimum gambling age is 21. If alcohol is not offered, the minimum age may be lowered to 18.

Who Regulates Gambling Laws in Mississippi?

The Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) is responsible for enforcing the state's Gaming Control Act and Charitable Gaming Laws . Working with the industry, the MGC creates and enforces regulations within the authority of these statutes in a manner that safeguards the state of Mississippi and maintains public confidence in both the charitable gaming and casino gaming businesses.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission has the jurisdiction to audit or review the books, assess the accounting processes and procedures, and monitor how licensees count and handle cash, tokens, negotiable instruments, and credit instruments. In addition, the Commission is obligated to inspect the books and records of any licensee when circumstances warrant it. The Mississippi Gaming Commission may also investigate the compliance of each licensee with the Gaming Control Act and other rules pertaining to internal controls and auditing procedures.

The Commission regulates and taxes gaming to generate income for state programs such as education, housing, transportation, and health care.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Mississippi?

Under Miss. Code Ann. 75-76-155 any player who plays or collects winnings, individually or through an agent, from any kind of gambling is subject to a maximum 6-month jail sentence and/or a $1,000 fine .

In addition, allowing a juvenile to gamble or granting unsupervised access to a gambling establishment is punishable by up to six months in prison and/or a $1,000 fine.

How old do you have to be to Gamble in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts General Laws (c.23N 13) prohibit casino game providers from accepting wagers from anyone under the age of 21. Similarly, those under the age of 21 are prohibited from entering poker rooms and sportsbooks in the state. If they are at least 18 years old, however, bettors may wager on dog and horse racing, bingo, and the lottery.

The Massachusetts tribal casinos operate under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and are therefore exempt from the Massachusetts Gaming Law's wagering age minimum of 21 years. However, the majority of these casinos raise their minimum age to 21 in order to offer alcohol on the gaming floor. Federal law says that individuals must be at least 21 years old in order to consume alcoholic beverages.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) regulates the state's gambling industry. It regulates all forms of gaming available inside the state's borders. The Commission is responsible for licensing casino operators to operate legally in Massachusetts, and licenses may be canceled for those that violate the laws.

The MGC establishes and maintains a mechanism that is equitable, transparent, and inclusive for implementing the expanded gaming law.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Massachusetts?

In accordance with MGL c.23, Section 43, the penalties for underage gambling are as follows:

• Any person under the age of 21 who places a wager or collects wins at a gaming facility is subject to a fine of up to $1,000.
• Any gaming facility operator who knowingly permits a person under the age of 21 to place bets or collect wins at a gaming facility will be sentenced to a minimum of one year in jail, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both.
• Whoever makes a wager on behalf of a minor is subject to imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to one thousand dollars, or both.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in California?

The minimum gambling age in California is 18 . However, in order to legally provide alcohol to all clients, most casinos do not accept customers under 21 . Californians can bet in tribal casinos regulated by the state or on international online gambling websites.

There are a few casinos throughout the state that welcome 18-year-old players, despite the fact that alcohol licenses and zoning are tightly restricted for anyone under 21. For instance, tribal casinos in California are able to establish their own age restrictions. However, these casinos frequently let children into non-gaming areas of their facilities.

As of January 2023, California casinos cannot offer sports betting. The California legislature has not yet succeeded in legalizing internet gambling by in-state operators.

As with casinos, poker rooms in California have the ability to impose their own age restrictions. Some demand that gamers be at least 21 years old, while others accept players as young as 18.

The minimum age for betting on horse races and the lottery is 18 in California. This means that punters who wish to place bets on horse races at any California racetrack, off-track betting facility, or online via advance deposit betting services must be at least 18 years old.

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) regulates all casino and cardroom activities in California. It is in charge of licensing card rooms and collaborating with tribes who operate casinos.

In California, the CGCC has authority over regulated non-tribal gambling enterprises (cardrooms).

To guarantee that tribal gaming in California is conducted fairly and honestly in line with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Bureau of Gambling Control (Bureau) , the California Gambling Control Commission (Commission), and the California Tribal Gaming Agencies (TGA) all work together.

Gaming resource suppliers, financial sources, management contractors, and key employees who are issued gaming licenses by the various TGAs in California are required to submit a finding of suitability application to the Bureau as part of the state certification process established by the Compacts between California Indian Tribes and the Governor of California .

To assess whether an applicant is appropriate for a license under the Gambling Control Act , the Bureau conducts a background investigation in accordance with Section 6.5.6 of the Compacts (Business and Professions Code section 19800 et seq.)

When the inquiry is done, the Bureau will recommend to the Commission whether or not the subject is suitable for employment. The Commission makes its suitability assessment based in large part on the Bureau's written recommendation, which takes into account a number of characteristics outlined in the Gambling Control Act, such as the applicant's honesty, general character, and financial and criminal history.

What's the Penalty for Underage Gambling in California?

According to Section 19941 of the California Business and Professions Code , anyone who allows a minor to enter a casino is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison. Alternatively, the offender may be fined $1,000 or incarcerated and fined.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in New York?

New York's legal gambling age requirement is 18. To be eligible to gamble at tribal and commercial casinos, you must be at least 21 years old. If you just wish to purchase lottery tickets or wager on horse races, you can do so if you are 18 or older. Online casinos are not licensed in the state. Thus, age restrictions do not apply to this kind of gambling.

All New Yorkers who are 18 years of age or older may participate in daily fantasy sports (DFS). With industry giant FanDuel's headquarters in New York City and significant professional sports franchises in all leagues, DFS is a very popular activity in the Big Apple.

Some approved overseas gambling websites accept all players over the age of 18 for those who do not wish to deal with complicated gaming statutes. However, the legal gambling age in New York varies significantly depending on the type of wager being placed.

Who regulates Gambling Laws in New York?

The New York State Gaming Commission supervises all facets of gambling in the state, including horse racing and pari-mutuel betting, Class III Indian Gaming, the state lottery (including video lottery terminals), retail gaming, and charitable gaming. The Commission was established by Chapter 60 of the 2012 Statutes . The statute consolidated the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and the New York State Division of Lottery into one state body.

The purpose of the New York State Gaming Commission is to ensure that all legal gaming and horse racing in the state is done with the utmost integrity, authenticity, and excellence. The Commission operates the New York Lottery in the most productive and transparent manner and protects the public interest by providing responsive and effective state gaming regulation. The Commission seeks to guarantee that all participants in the gaming and horse racing industries, including consumers who wager on Commission-regulated or -operated activities, are served fairly and responsibly. The Commission also promotes the health and safety of horses and all racing participants.

Indian Gaming: In 1988, Congress enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, allowing federally recognized Indian tribes to engage in gaming activities under specific conditions. This statute allows bingo, pull tabs, lotto, punch boards, tip jars, and certain card games to be held on tribal land. However, a Tribal-State compact is required for all other forms of gambling. Three tribes in the state of New York have legalized gaming:

• The Seneca Nation of Indians operates the Class III Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, the Class III Seneca Allegany Casino in Allegany, New York, and the Class III Seneca Buffalo Casino in Buffalo, New York, as well as Class II bingo on their Cattaraugus and Allegany Reservation sites.
• The St. Regis Mohawks manage the Class II Mohawk Bingo Palace and the Class III Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, which offers Class II poker games as well.
• The Oneida Indian Nation of New York operates the Turning Stone Casino, which features Class II bingo and poker as well as Class III gaming.

The Gaming Commission maintains a twenty-four-hour presence in the gaming facilities of the five Class III facilities in order to safeguard the integrity of all Class III gaming operations and to ensure the fair and honest running of such activities. In addition, the State conducts background checks on all casino workers and businesses that transact gaming-related business with the casino to determine their appropriateness.

In accordance with each Compact, the State jointly controls Class III gambling establishments with the appropriate Nation or Tribal Gaming Agency. Class II gaming operations, including bingo, pull tabs, lottery, punch boards, tip jars, and certain card games, are governed by the Tribe in partnership with the National Indian Gaming Commission; however, tribes may self-regulate these activities in specific circumstances.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in New York?

New York's racetracks and other gambling establishments were given stiffer fines in 2016 after the state's Gaming Commission passed a law making it illegal for anybody under the age of 18 to place bets at such establishments .

The new regulation implements a tiered system of fines on licensed track, VLT, and other gambling operators for allowing underage wagering:

The New York State Gaming Commission will take action against racetracks whose corporate owners' association allows underage gamblers onto their premises. For each subsequent infraction within a year of the initial one, the fine would increase by $5,000, up to $10,000 .

A $25,000 fine and "such action as the commission may deem appropriate," including suspension or revocation of any license or privilege to operate or manage a track in this state, are specified for a fourth offense within a year of a previous violation.

How Old do You have to be to Gamble in Texas?

There are no casinos in Texas that allow individuals under the age of 18 to wager. The legal age to gamble in Texas casinos is 21 years old. Keeping the casino age limit at 21 represents Texas' conservative principles and is consistent with the casino age limits of surrounding states.

The legal Texas gambling age for visiting casinos is likely set at 21 since this is the drinking age throughout the United States. As both casinos in Texas sell alcohol to patrons, casino operators can reduce the likelihood of being penalized for serving alcohol to minors by aligning the casino entry age with the legal drinking age.

As of January 2023, there are just two tribal casinos operating in Texas, and both are restricted by their compacts to provide only Class II gaming on-site. Class II gaming restricts casinos' gambling options to electronic devices. This implies that neither casino offers the most popular traditional casino table games.

In Texas, the minimum legal age to purchase lottery tickets is 18.

Outside of Indian reservations, casino-style gambling is wholly outlawed in Texas, and the current political climate makes it impossible for Texas to allow internet gambling in the near future. Those above the age of 21 with a passion for casino games are limited to the possibilities listed above.

The Texas Racing Commission oversees and regulates pari-mutuel racing in accordance with the Texas Racing Act . This means the Commission is charged with the issuance of permits for horse and dog racing. The board of directors consists of nine people. Seven members are selected by the Governor with the advice and permission of the Senate to serve six-year terms, while the Commissioner of Agriculture and the Chairman of the Public Safety Commission serve as ex officio members.

The Texas Lottery Commission was established by statute in 1993 to assume control of the Texas Lottery from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts ; the statute also grants the Commission authority over charitable bingo games (moving that duty from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission ).

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Texas?

There are no legalized casinos in Texas, with the exception of those located on tribal territories. Since Indian casinos are not subject to state law, penalties for gambling by minors are irrelevant.

How Old do You have to be to Gamble in Florida?

The minimum age for land-based casino games is 21, whereas the minimum age for lottery games, horse racing, dog racing, bingo, jai alai, and poker is 18. This age limit can be found in Florida Statutes 849.01 et seq . and 550.001 et seq ., which regulate gambling inside the Sunshine State.

18-year-olds in Florida are now permitted to gamble in person at cardrooms (poker) and horse racing tracks. They can also play the lottery and charitable bingo games. And while casino gambling in Florida is prohibited for those under the age of 21, there are multiple online casino sites that welcome players aged 18, 19, and 20.

The Florida Gaming Control Commission , a five-member regulatory body, is in charge of carrying out all of the state's regulatory and executive functions relating to gambling, including the regulation of pari-mutuel wagering, cardrooms, slot machine facilities, gaming compact oversight, and other types of gambling permitted by state legislation or the constitution, with the exception of the state lottery.

In Florida , the state government operates the lottery, which includes games such as Powerball, Mega Money, Lucky Lines, and Mega Millions. Lottery winnings are earmarked for the development of new schools and educational facilities to boost public education.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Florida?

Slot machine operators who willfully violate underage gambling laws may have their licenses revoked or suspended. They can also face civil penalties, such as a maximum fine of $100,000 .

How old do you have to be to Gamble in Colorado?

In Colorado , the minimum gambling age for casino games is 21 . Even though the majority of age-related privileges in the state begin at 18, you must be at least 21 to visit a casino and play casino games such as poker . However, at the age of 18, you can purchase lottery tickets and wager on horse races .

You must be at least 21 years old to participate in lawful low-stakes gambling in some smaller, historically significant communities or to gamble at one of the state's two tribal casinos.

Under 24-35-214 of the Colorado Revised Statutes , it is prohibited to sell lottery tickets to anybody under the age of 18. Similarly, an individual under 18 years cannot buy a lottery ticket. The law, however, authorizes a person under 18 to receive a lottery ticket as a gift.

According to Colorado Revised Statutes 12-60-601, it is against the law for anyone under the age of 18 to buy or sell a pari-mutuel ticket. In a similar way, Colorado Revised Statutes 12-9-107 says that anyone under the age of 18 can't buy pull-tabs or play bingo.

The responsibility of regulating Colorado's gambling laws falls on The Division of Gaming within the Department of Revenue and the Limited Gaming Control Commission . These agencies are entrusted with administering the local regulatory framework and monitoring compliance with state gaming legislation.

The Colorado Department of Revenue's Division of Gambling is responsible for regulating and enforcing limited gaming in Colorado. With offices in Golden, Central City /Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek , the Division employs over 90 people, including investigators, auditors, accountants, administrators, and support staff.

The Division of Gaming is responsible for investigating gaming license applicants, who must submit to a comprehensive background check. Investigators of the division examine the personal and financial histories of applicants, including the origins of the funds they want to invest in a prospective business.

The governor appoints five members of the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission. According to the law, the Commission is in charge of establishing the gaming tax rate as well as all other rules and regulations pertaining to limited gaming in Colorado. The Commission has ultimate jurisdiction over all state-issued gambling licenses.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Colorado?

According to Colorado Revised Statute 12-47.1 - 809, it is a Class 2 misdemeanor to permit a minor to wander around the gaming area of a casino, sit in a chair/be present, participate, play, be allowed to play, or place bets.

This is punishable by 3-12 months in jail and/or a fine of $250-$1,000 . If the minor is under 18, then it becomes a Class 4 felony , punishable with 2-6 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $2,000 .

How old do you have to be to Gamble in North Dakota?

North Dakota has a general ban on gambling, although there are exceptions to this rule. These exclusions include charitable gambling with a minimum age of 18 , pari-mutuel betting ( with an age limit of 18 ), and tribal casino gambling with an age requirement of 21 .

Even though tribal casinos are not governed by the state, which mandates a minimum age of 21, they comply with the criteria in order to offer alcoholic beverages on the gaming floor. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) regulates tribal casinos, and federal law sets the drinking age at 21.

The North Dakota Century Code sections 12.1-28-01 et seq . and 53.06.1-01 et seq. detail the gambling age limits for various forms of gaming in North Dakota.

The North Dakota Gaming Division oversees and enforces laws pertaining to gambling conducted for charitable purposes. It investigates and conducts audits of nonprofit gaming organizations and keeps tabs on casinos shared between tribes and states.

The Gaming Division monitors the fairness and legality of all games played at casinos owned and operated on North Dakota's tribal lands. The regulatory body verifies the correctness of the prize distribution ratios and the observance of betting limits.

The North Dakota Racing Commission is a separate agency responsible for overseeing horse racing in the state. The Racing Commission's duty is to oversee and audit the production of pari-mutuel pools and gaming terminals. The North Dakota Racing Commission is also responsible for establishing the racing schedule and enacting regulations to ban the use of any substances or techniques that might affect the results of the races.

Lastly, the North Dakota Lottery Advisory Commission is responsible for the state's lottery operation, promotion, regulation, and enforcement. The group also helps retailers by issuing licenses and providing assistance with staff education.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in North Dakota?

The state of North Dakota is gambling-friendly, and residents are free to gamble as they see fit. There is, however, one significant exception: individuals who attempt to gamble while under the legal age of 21 in North Dakota.

Individuals who attempt to gamble while under the legal age of 21 will face severe consequences from the authorities. These may include fines or even jail time. Also, their cash may be confiscated by the venue through which they gambled illegally. There are things in life worth waiting for, and legal gambling is one of them. The best advice for gamblers under the age of 21 is to wait until the time is right.

How old do you have to be to Gamble in South Dakota?

What's the legal age requirement.

To gamble in South Dakota's Indian casinos and Deadwood casinos, you must be at least 21 years old. You must be 21 years old because some of these establishments provide alcohol, which they are not permitted to serve under the legal age restriction. However, you only have to be 18 years of age for simulcast and live horse race betting.

To wager on sports in South Dakota , you must meet the age restriction of 21 years old. However, South Dakota has yet to regulate sports betting. There are several offshore online sportsbooks from which to choose if you like to wager on sports.

Live horse racing and simulcasting in South Dakota are governed by the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, as is limited wagering in the City of Deadwood. The governor appoints five people to the board, and the state senate must approve those people. The Enforcement Division and the Operations Division comprise the SD Commission on Gaming .

The Enforcement Division is responsible for performing background and criminal record checks related to restricted gambling. Additionally, it monitors all casino-related activities. In addition to monitoring compliance and revenue, the Operations Division conducts casino audits in Deadwood. It inspects slot machines around the state and maintains gambling and horse racing information.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in South Dakota?

According to South Dakota Law SDCL 42-7B-35 , anyone who gambles while under the age of 21 is deemed to have committed a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by more than 30 days in prison.

Also, anyone who allows a minor to gamble would be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor for violating state gaming legislation. This violation carries a potential sentence of exceeding 30 days in jail. Additionally, the operator risks losing their retail license.

How old do you have to be to Gamble in West Virginia?

The following are the minimum ages for the various forms of legal gambling in West Virginia: 21 years old for casinos, 21 years old for poker, 21 years old for sports betting, 18 years old for bingo, 18 years old for sports betting without an alcohol license, 18 years old for horse racing, and 18 years old for the lottery.

The West Virginia Lottery Commission is responsible for overseeing all activities involving gambling. Here are some of its primary responsibilities:

• The Commission is the authorized distributor of over forty quick games.
• Tickets for the Multi-State Lottery Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lotto America are distributed.
• Also available for purchase are Keno Go, Daily 3, Daily 4, and Cash 25 lottery tickets.
• Regulates both retail and online sports wagering.
• Monitors Internet-based gambling, video lottery, and table games.
• Additionally, the West Virginia Lottery Commission is in charge of all land-based casinos.

In addition, the West Virginia Lottery Commission is responsible for legalizing all land-based casinos and retail sportsbooks. In order to open a casino on the territory of the Mountain State, you must obtain permission from the seven-member Commission.

The Governor selects a lawyer, a public accountant, a marketing expert, a computer specialist, and a law enforcement agent to monitor the operators around the state. Additionally, there are two public representatives inside the Lottery Commission.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in West Virginia?

Under West Virginia Code section 29-25-25 , letting a minor on the premises is a misdemeanor punishable by a possible 6-month prison sentence and/or a maximum $1,000 fine for an individual. If the offender is a corporation, the penalty is $25,000.

It is unlawful to sell lottery tickets to minors, although adults can buy and give them to anyone under 18 years old. If a juvenile wins $5,000 or more, they must have a parent, relative, or legal guardian collect the reward on their behalf.

How old do you have to be to Gamble in Illinois?

In Illinois , the minimum age to gamble legally depends on the type of gambling you wish to engage in. For instance, you must be 18 or older to participate in bingo and the lottery. Likewise, Illinois gamers must be at least 21 years old to enter casinos. Additionally, you must be at least 21 years old to participate in popular sports betting activities in the state, such as horse racing.

Although it is against the law to sell a ticket to a minor ( Chapter 20, Sections 1605/15 and 1605/18 of the Illinois Revised Statutes ), adults may still purchase tickets for minors as gifts. If the individual entitled to a prize or any winning ticket is a youngster (defined as anybody younger than 18), and the value of the prize is less than $2500, the Director may arrange for the reward to be paid to an adult relative or legal guardian of the minor.

The Illinois Gaming Board is the primary agency responsible for handling all gambling activities inside the state. The board is also responsible for granting licenses and strictly enforcing gaming regulations.

The Illinois Gaming Board regulates all forms of gambling in the state, including casino gaming, video gambling, sports betting, bingo, and lotteries. The Sports Wagering Act (230 ILCS 45) is the primary piece of law that assists the board in controlling sports betting in the state. The Illinois Gambling Act (230 ILCS 10) is the primary state statute that regulates casino gaming in Illinois.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Illinois?

Under 230 Ill. Comp. Stat. 10/11, winnings by an underaged gambler (under 21 years) are to be treated as winnings for privilege tax purposes. They are to be confiscated, forfeited to the State, and deposited into the Education Assistance Fund.

230 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 10/18 stipulates that a Class B misdemeanor will be charged to any casino operator who allows a youngster aboard a gaming riverboat. This violation carries a potential penalty of six months in prison and/or a maximum fine of $1,500.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Go to a Casino?

August 31, 2022

Why Is There a Minimum Age Requirement for Gambling?

States in which the age requirement is 21, states in which the age requirement is 18, does the minimum age requirement differ for online casinos, what happens if you’re an underage gambler, tips for responsible gambling, key takeaways.

Casinos are places where people can go to have fun and potentially win some money. However, there are rules on who can and cannot gamble in a casino.

In this article, we will discover how old do you have to be to go to a casino, and what happens if you’re caught breaking the rules.

The minimum age requirement for casino gambling exists for a few reasons . Gambling can be addictive and harmful to younger people. A person is their parents’ responsibility until they become an adult, which is usually at 21. Casinos want to make sure that their customers are old enough to gamble responsibly and understand the risks involved.

In other words, if a young person gambles and gets into significant gambling debt, their parents are required by law to pay it off. That is why, in most cases, the age limit for a casino in the United States is set at 21 , although this has been modified in certain states depending on the type of gambling activity and at what age an individual is regarded as an adult.

Each state sets its own minimum age requirement for casino gambling , which is why the legal gambling age varies from state to state. While federal law allows gambling, it’s considered a strictly local matter, and state legislators are free to determine the gambling age for their state.

Your age must be 18 or 21 to gamble for real money in a casino in the United States today, with certain exceptions applying to tribal casinos. This means that while commercial casinos may only admit individuals who are 21 years old, a tribal casino may extend entry permits for persons under the age of 21.

Currently, there are 34 states where gambling is restricted to those who are 21 or older and 14 states in which people can go to a casino at the age of 18. Only two states prohibit gambling entirely – Utah and Hawaii.

Most states limit casino entry to individuals who are under the universal legal age, which is 21. These states include:

In other jurisdictions, the minimum age requirement for a casino is 18 years old. These include:

The minimum age for a casino is determined by the legislation, no matter whether you play online or in a live venue. The legal gambling age for online casinos corresponds to the age requirement for land-based casinos. So, if you have to be 21 to gamble at a land-based casino in your state, you will also need to be 21 to gamble online, generally. Some exceptions may apply when it comes to social gambling. For example, players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania can engage in some forms of social casino gaming without being of legal casino age, as these activities are not classified as “gambling” under state law.

It may appear that it’s simpler to get away with something online since several internet casinos won’t demand verification documents until after you’ve requested a cashout. However, once you press the withdrawal button, you can be sure that you’ll be asked to submit documentation proving your identity and age , in addition to any other information you supplied at registration. Even if an operator wanted to pay you, they might get into trouble for giving money to someone who is under the minimum legal age to go to a casino. That is something no casino would take a chance on.

You are not allowed to play in any casino in the United States if you’re under the age of 18, regardless of whether it is a land-based casino or an online casino. Underage gamblers should be aware that they may face serious legal consequences or even put their guardians or parents in trouble with the authorities. A person who does not fulfill the criteria of how old do you have to be to go into a casino, is committing a crime , whether knowingly or not.

You may gamble online through offshore companies that often provide a range of online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks even if they don’t have a license to do so in your state or country. If you’re not yet 21 years old, this can be an alternative since many of them simply need an age threshold of 18+. However, you should always double-check with your local state authorities to ensure that you are permitted to do so.

You need to understand that gambling responsibly is essential, once you become of legal age to enter a casino. While casinos might be a wonderful way to spend your leisure time, they can also be harmful environments for those who have compulsive gambling problems .

When gambling, it is extremely important to do so responsibly in order to avoid any negative consequences. A few tips on how to gamble responsibly include:

• It’s important to remember that casino gambling is a form of entertainment rather than an income-generating technique. If you do succeed in making money, great, but your aim when going to a casino should be to have fun, not to win.
• It’s also critical to establish a spending limit before you become of valid age for entering a casino. Set your spending limit to fit your budget, and only gamble with the money you can afford to lose. Consider your trip towards your gambling destination as a type of entertainment expenditure that’s been removed from your budget (just as a concert or festival ticket).
• It’s also important to avoid spending too much time in the casino . The longer you stay, the more likely you are to spend more than you’ve planned.
• A fantastic method to keep oneself from getting into trouble is to gamble with a trusted buddy and hold each other accountable.
• While most casinos possess an alcohol license and offer drinks, it’s better to avoid or limit alcohol consumption since alcohol is known to reduce your inhibitions.
• Once you learn how old do you have to be to go and bet in a casino, you also need to understand that you should avoid gambling if you are sad, nervous, or angry . Gambling when you’re unhappy might result in poor judgment and make you more prone to developing a gambling addiction or making bad decisions that you’ll later regret.

The legal gambling age in the US casinos varies from state to state, with most states requiring gamblers to be 21 years of age . Always check your state’s requirements to ensure you are of the correct age before gambling. There can be significant consequences for anyone caught gambling under the age limit for a casino, so make sure to comply with the law.

The legal gambling age in casinos varies from state to state but is typically 21. However, there are some casinos that cater to people of 18+, which means that it’s a good idea to check the local laws in your area before gambling.

The age limit for a casino is typically 21, with some exceptions that allow individuals to enter as soon as they turn 18. This means that a minor aged 16 will not be permitted to enter any casino in the US.

How old do you have to be to go to a casino in Las Vegas? 21. However, if you are 18 years old, you are allowed to gamble in certain areas of the casino, such as restaurants, bars, and shops. You can also attend shows and concerts even if you are under 21.

ABOUT AUTHOR

by Hristina Lozanovska

Researching various topics started out as a hobby, turned into a passion, and became a profession. Finance, investments, and gambling seemed particularly interesting topics of research, so they became my main focus. Now, I can deliver fresh, relevant content on these topics in my favourite language — English.

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Rivers Casino Pittsburgh: All You Need to Know Before You Go

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh is turning 10 this year!

As the casino celebrates its 10-year anniversary, it is commencing construction of The Landing Hotel Pittsburgh - a seven-story, four-star property with two hundred and nineteen guestrooms which will attach to the casino on the east façade, facing the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center.

Feel the excitement with Pittsburgh’s first-and-only in-casino sportsbook. The Sportsbook offers betting on a wide array of sporting events including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, college sports and more. Bets include but are not limited to straight bets, parlays, totals and in-game betting. It's easy, fun, and who doesn't love the chance to cheer on your favorite team while placing some wagers?

Rivers Casino also makes a perfect location for all kinds of events. If you are looking to book meetings, conventions, weddings, or any other event, check out more info here .

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Rivers offers more than just gaming, with nine signature restaurants and bars that offer a delicious variety. Here are just some of the selections:

Andrew’s Steak & Seafood Repeat winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, Andrew’s Steak & Seafood offers guests the opportunity to enjoy fine dining in a sophisticated atmosphere. Riverfront windows offer a breathtaking view of Downtown Pittsburgh and Mount Washington along the Ohio River.

Cíao Perfect for a quick casual bite in a vibrant atmosphere. Enjoy a grab-and-go sandwich or salad served only as Cíao can. Open almost 24 hours a day, you can enjoy breakfast, a sandwich, salad or soup

FLIPT FLIPT a contemporary burger-and-shake restaurant that's relatively new to Rivers Casino. It has a mouthwatering, signature burger selection and fresh-cut fries, but the delectable homemade milkshakes are the must-haves on the menu. Pro Tip: Mondays through Wednesdays, FLIPT is offering the “Son of a FLIPT” burger meal, which includes fries and a shake, for $10.

Grand View Buffet Hungry for something but not sure what? Then come to Grand View Buffet, where the selection is vast. The buffet serves up a variety of cuisines including Italian, Asian, barbecue and much more. Pro Tip: Through August, each Monday and Tuesday, Grand View Buffet will offer a $10 lunch buffet.

Wheelhouse Bar & Grill Looking for another great location to watch the game? Wheelhouse Bar & Grill at Rivers Casino is a terrific choice to watch all your favorite Pittsburgh sports teams on one of the largest high-definition TVs in Pittsburgh. Pro Tip: Every Wednesday, Wheelhouse is offering a 2 for $20 select menu.

Keep an eye out on the Rivers gaming floor for other fun treats in honor of the 10-year anniversary

Entertainment

Enjoy live jazz, local DJs and crowd-pleasing cover bands in one of the casino's bars or lounges. Among the options are: Drum Bar When it comes to live entertainment in Pittsburgh, Drum Bar offers a diverse selection. Rock your weekend with live bands each Friday and Saturday night. Bands play high-energy music accompanied by synchronized lights that keep the party going.

Levels Bar Located in the center of the casino, Levels overlooks the entire casino floor—the perfect vantage point for watching the action at the tables while enjoying one of our signature cocktails or your favorite libation. Levels features live DJs on weekends.

Event Center Throughout the year, The Event Center at Rivers Casino will welcome live performances. The space will transform to theatre-style seating for over 2,000 and feature star-studded talent—musicians, comedians and more.

Good to Know

Rivers Casino is located along Pittsburgh’s North Shore, down the street from Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Guests of Rivers Casino must be 21 years or older to access the gaming floor.

The casino offers more than 130,000 square feet of casino floor 2,708 slot machines, 128 table games, 55 hybrid gaming seats, 30-table live poker room, and state-of-the-art High Limits gaming area

Rush Rewards members earn benefits by playing with their Rush Rewards Players Club Card—membership is free and players can redeem their points for Free Slot Play, dining and purchases from Rivers' gift shop.

This Blog Post is Sponsored By Rivers Casino Pittsburgh

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• House Rules
• All gaming patrons must be 18 years old to wager and/ or be allowed in the gaming area; a valid State or Federal issued photo ID must be provided upon request and at the discretion of Management.
• Rules, policies, and procedures are in place to ensure the integrity of our casino promotions. Violations of rules will disqualify you from current promotions and may prohibit future participation in casino promotions.
• Loitering and solicitation are strictly prohibited on casino premises.
• Patrons are only allowed access to public areas of the casino. All visitors must sign in with security and receive a visitor badge to access restricted areas.
• Pets are prohibited unless necessary for handicapped purposes.
• Children and/or pets are not to be left unattended on casino premises.
• Shoes and shirt are required.
• Outside food and/or drinks are prohibited.
• The use of photographic or video/audio recording devices and noisemakers is prohibited on the floor.
• Bags, backpacks, purses, overcoats and other items, which may conceal prohibited items, may be subject to search by casino personnel.
• Weapons and/or illegal non-prescription drugs of any kind are strictly prohibited on casino premises.
• All persons must vacate the premises when required by management and/or security.
• Patrons may be limited to one gaming machine during peak business hours.
• All gaming tickets/vouchers are valid for fourteen (14) days from the date printed. Keno tickets redemption periods may vary.
• Two forms of valid identification are required for payouts over $1,199 (one must be a State- or Federal-issued photo ID).
• Cash payouts limits vary by facility; residual payments may be made by check owed to winner. Refer to cash cage for additional information.
• Tort and Prize Claim information is available upon request.
• The casino complies with Title 31 regulations; information is available at each cash cage. We reserve the right to require identification for any cash transaction; Prize wins must be claimed by the person playing the gaming machine.
• Patrons are responsible for notifying management immediately of any injury while on premises.
• All machine disputes must be reported to casino management immediately. If disputes cannot be resolved with management, players may appeal to the Chickasaw Nation Office of the Gaming Commissioner by completing a prize claim form.
• No prize amount shall be given over the maximum prize amount for the game played.
• The casino and its employees are not responsible for lost or stolen gaming machine tickets, gaming machine cards or other personal items including stolen and/or damaged vehicles on casino property.
• Abandoned credits/tickets are property of the casino; the redemption of abandoned credits/tickets is not permitted at any time.
• The casino reserves the right to refuse service to anyone or eject any person.
• Valid ID is considered to be any form of official government-issued identification. Examples of official government-issued identification include but are not limited to: Driver’s License (DL), state-issued identification card, tribal-issued identification card, passport, military identification, permanent resident card, resident alien card, employment authorization card, VISA/BCC (Boarder Crosser Card), social security card, and/or voter registration.
• The casino is committed to helping patrons with compulsive gambling tendencies. If you, or anyone else you know has a gambling problem, please ask a security officer and/or a member of management for more information or contact Gamblers Anonymous at 1-800-522-4700 .
• If you witness or suspect fraud, please contact the Fraud Hotline at 1-866-466-1483 . All calls will be kept as anonymous as possible.
• Rules are subject to change without notice to the public.
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