How old do you have to be to gamble, 18 or 21? Well, the age that applies to you depends on the city you are in and the type of gambling activity you intend to enjoy. Let us, Slots Paradise Casino, explain further and better.
Gambling is one of the most popular activities in the United States, but there are many restrictions due to the multifaceted viewpoints regarding it. Yet despite several policies hindering its expansion, it is still thriving.
One of the few acceptable limitations is age.
The legal gambling age in the United States is determined at two levels: federal and state. According to federal government law, the legal age to gamble is 18, but states are not required to follow this as a minimum. Hence, many states have raised the bar to 21.
In today’s casino news, we tour the states where at least one form of gambling is allowed to answer the question: How old do you have to be to gamble?
By the way, we have a huge selection of other gambling games -slots, blackjack, poker, baccarat, you name it- just waiting to be the lucky trigger to your winnings! Look them up!
Well, Is It 18 or 21? How Old Do You Have To Be To Gamble?
There are 50 states in the USA, 47 of which allow at least one gambling operation. The three major gambling activities are sports betting, casino gaming, and lottery games (we have lots of spot-on casino guides you might want to check out first to up your know-how.) Hawaii and Utah are the only states where none are allowed.
The legal gambling age differs across the 47 states, but it ranges between 18 and 21. In states with social casinos, it is often 18, while for commercial ones, it is 21. Also, any state with alcohol restrictions usually sets the minimum gambling age at 21. These are some of the factors that determine the acceptable age.
How much do casino dealers make? Well, before we go on asking questions that are not that urgent, you need to know -for now- that dealers are always on the hot seat since they are the ones who must call out those who seem underaged and ask for at least one form of verification. Plus, they’re not allowed to let underaged individuals hover around the table, even if they’re only watching.
Let’s clarify this age issue a bit further.
State Gambling Status by Activity
Legal Gambling Age: On-Site Casino Gaming
In the United States, in 2024, land-based casino gambling is allowed in only 24 states, of which 3 have an 18-year minimum age requirement and the rest, 21.
The states in which the legal gambling age to engage in casino gaming is 18 are South Dakota, Washington, and Montana.
Delaware, Colorado, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Maryland, Mane, Massachusetts, West Virginia, North Marianas islands, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Missouri, and Mississippi are the states that require you to be at least 21.
Legal Gambling Age: Online Casinos
Only seven states have opened their arms to iGaming in the United States, and the legal age to engage in online casino activity is 21. The states include Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan, and Rhode Island.
Once you ascertain you’re in the allowed age range, head on over to our game reviews to choose the best one for you!
Legal Gambling Age: Sports Betting
Sports betting is widely accepted in the United States. It is legal in 38 states (Washington DC and Puerto Rico excluded). The accepted legal age for sports betting varies between 18 and 21.
If you are 21, the following states are open to you: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Washington, South Dakota.
Montana, Washington DC, Rhode Island, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and Wyoming allow you to wager on sports once you turn 18.
Legal Gambling Age: In-Person and Online Poker
In-person poker gaming is acceptable in most states besides Hawaii and Utah, which outlaw gambling. Whatever legal age is set for general gambling in the allowed states applies to poker.
Online poker, on the other hand, is only permitted in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. The minimum wagering age in these states is 21.
However, for some shore poker sites, the legal age is 18.
Why is it illegal to count cards even though I am 21? Well, it is not per se unless the casino says so.
Legal Gambling Age: Bingo and Lotteries
In the US, 44 states run lottery services. The legal age to buy a ticket is 18, but for redeeming the ticket it can be 21 in some states. However, some of them, such as Mississippi, Louisiana, Iowa, and Arizona, have recently changed the buying age to 21. Nebraska is the only odd one out; the legal age is 19.
For bingo games, 18 is the legal age to visit the halls.
Legal Gambling Age: Horse Betting
If you intend to wager on the next Kentucky Derby, you must comply with the required gambling age. Across most states, you must be at least 18 to participate in horse betting. The only few exceptions where the legal age is 21 are Iowa, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas.
Zooming In
How old do you have to be to gamble? The legally acceptable gambling age in the United States is usually 21. If you are 18, only a few states will open their doors to you, and again, not all gambling services will be permitted. The online casino limit is 21 for all forms of games. Remember these casino age limit ranges and obey them because violation has consequences.
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