The legal gambling age varies from state to state. If you’re 21, you’re of age to place bets in any state with legalized gambling. However, those aged 18-20 will have fewer options and might be prohibited from certain types of gambling depending on their location. The patchwork of state gambling rules and regulations means you’ll need to check whether or not you can legally bet on sports in your state, particularly if you’re playing online versus in person at a brick and mortar sportsbook or casino.
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The 21 Club: Majority Rules
The most common legal gambling age across is the United States is 21, which is also the legal drinking age. That means anyone 21+ can visit a retail or online sportsbook, casino, racetrack, or bingo hall to legally place bets.
21 is the legal age for the most popular gambling meccas in the United States including Las Vegas, Nevada; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Foxwoods at the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation in Ledyard, Connecticut. In most cases, regulators set the same legal age for gambling in states with both commercial and tribal gaming.
Other notable 21+ states include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, and New York.
The Younger Crowd: States with Lower Age Limits
Adults 18+ may gamble in a minority of states, depending on the type of gambling. Some of these states include Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, and Washington state.
California and Michigan set an age range of 18-21, subject to the policies of a particular establishment and type of gambling. Some of the most popular gaming brands, like BetMGM, require all patrons whether in-person or online to be 21+.
Similarly in other cases – like Kentucky’s 18+ legal age – major companies require all customers to be 21+ as a matter of internal policy and risk management.
The most common exceptions include horse racing and bingo, where many of the tracks and bingo halls operating in 18+ states admit patrons 18 or higher, consistent with the state’s gaming laws.
Online Betting Regulations
Most states keep the legal gambling age uniform for both retail and online betting activities. This obviates any confusion as state residents and visitors patronize licensed state gambling operators.
If you’re aged 18-21 and are thinking about betting online, it’s best to review a list of gambling age limits by state before you open a new account.
Online gambling operators are subject to strict scrutiny from state gaming regulators. They are careful to weed out any potential underage or self-excluded gamblers using ID verification methods. If you try to open an account as an underage gambler – intentionally or not – there’s a good chance you will be blocked and excluded.
Online gambling operators block and exclude customers like brick and mortar casinos: if you’re on a “no entry list”, you’ll be politely asked to leave the property, just as a website will decline your business.
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Quick State-by-State Breakdown
Here’s a brief overview of the legal gambling ages in various states:
21 and Over
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
18 and Over
Georgia (only on cruise ships), Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Washington.
Note: Some establishments in 18+ states only allow those aged 21+ to play. Review the operator’s rules in advance.
Variable Ages
California and Michigan have flexible laws, with legal gambling ages ranging from 18 to 21, depending on the type of gambling and the operator’s house rules.
Finally, note that the legal age can vary with the type of gambling. For example, those 18+ can generally enter racetracks and bingo halls in 18+ states, while the same customers would be barred from a casino or sportsbook until they’re 21+.
Why the Legal Gambling Age Varies
The legal gambling age varies for two common reasons.
First, states set a 21+ age because alcohol is frequently served at gambling establishments. This saves the operator a substantial amount of hassle. Imagine admitting a number of 18-20 year old guests, only to verify their ages again when they order an alcoholic beverage. This situation would present both a logistical nightmare and potential legal liability that few operators would tolerate.
Second, state gambling laws are often a matter of public opinion, tradition, and political influence. Some states take a harder line on casino gambling and sports betting, while being more tolerant of bingo and horse betting. The general public largely views the latter two as less troublesome, and therefore is more open minded about a lower minimum age.
It’s worth noting that as more states legalize online gambling, many legislatures and regulators are taking the opportunity to upgrade and modernize their gaming statutes. Keep tabs on the 18+ states. It’s entirely possible that age minimum is due to old laws that will soon match their neighboring 21+ states.
Plan Ahead, Know the Law
Though a state’s legal drinking age is commonly known among the general public, it’s legal gambling age is often less certain. If you’re 21+, you can safely enter any casino, sportsbook, racetrack, or bingo hall in the United States, in addition to betting at any state licensed online casino or sports betting site.
However, if you’re 18-20, you’ll need to check your state’s gambling laws in advance. Then, double-check the operator’s house rules. Some retail and online gambling providers in 18+ states require all guests to be 21+ despite their host state’s lower minimum age.