How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble? Legal Gambling Age by State 

Gambling age restrictions in the United States present a complex patchwork of federal guidelines, state regulations, and activity-specific requirements that confuse even experienced players. While many assume a universal age threshold applies nationwide, the reality involves significant variation based on location, gambling type, and venue. Understanding these distinctions prevents legal complications and ensures compliance with applicable regulations.

Minimum gambling ages span 18 to 21 years across different jurisdictions, with most states establishing separate thresholds for casino gambling, lottery participation, sports betting, and other wagering activities. This guide examines federal and state age requirements, explains why variations exist, and clarifies which activities permit participation at 18 versus those requiring age 21.

No single federal law establishes a uniform gambling age across all activities. The federal government allows states to set their own minimum ages for most gambling forms, creating the state-by-state variation that exists today.

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, while primarily addressing alcohol consumption, indirectly impacts casino age policies. Since most casinos serve alcohol on gaming floors, many establishments set their minimum age at 21 to simplify compliance with both gambling and alcohol regulations.

Federal law prohibits online gambling operators from knowingly accepting wagers from individuals under 18, though enforcement primarily targets operators rather than underage users. Readers seeking information on where legal online gambling is permitted can consult our online casino guide for a breakdown of regulated platforms and state access rules.

Casino gambling represents the most restrictive category, with the majority of states requiring participants to reach age 21. This threshold applies to commercial casinos, tribal gaming facilities, and card rooms in most jurisdictions.

The following states mandate that casino patrons be at least 21 years old:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan (commercial casinos), Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York (commercial casinos and most tribal), North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon (commercial), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington (most casinos), West Virginia, Wisconsin

This age requirement extends to all gaming floor offerings, such as slots, table games, poker rooms, and sports betting areas. Most establishments prohibit anyone under 21 from entering the gaming floor, though some permit passage through casino areas when accessing other hotel or entertainment venues.

Nine states permit casino gambling at age 18, though significant restrictions often apply:

The 18-year threshold typically applies to tribal gaming operations where alcohol service remains separated from gaming areas, or to specific game types like poker and bingo. Players should verify age requirements at specific venues before visiting, as policies vary even within states.

Age requirements vary substantially based on gambling activity type, with different thresholds applying to sports betting, lottery, and charitable gaming compared to casino gambling.

Sports betting age requirements generally mirror casino gambling thresholds in states offering legal wagering. Most jurisdictions require age 21 for both in-person and online sports betting.

States permitting 18-year-olds to place sports wagers:

Most states set the lottery purchase age at 18, even in jurisdictions requiring age 21 for casino access. This lower threshold reflects the lottery's distinct regulatory framework and absence of casino-style gaming environments.

States requiring age 19 for lottery: Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska

Online gambling platforms must verify player ages before accepting wagers. Most licensed operators require identity document submission, cross-reference databases, and technological barriers to prevent underage access.

The question of whether 18-year-olds can enter casino properties differs from gambling participation rights. Many casinos permit individuals under the gambling age to access non-gaming areas, including restaurants, entertainment venues, hotel rooms, and retail spaces.

Specific policies vary by property and state regulation. Nevada casinos generally permit minors accompanied by adults to walk through gaming areas when accessing other hotel areas, though they cannot stop at gaming devices or tables. New Jersey casinos implement stricter policies, often prohibiting anyone under 21 from gaming floors entirely.

International gambling age requirements provide context for U.S. regulations and affect American travelers planning casino visits abroad.

Casinos implement multiple age verification measures to ensure compliance with legal requirements and avoid substantial penalties for permitting underage gambling. Players who prefer wagering through smartphones or tablets can explore safe and regulated mobile casino options.

Most casinos require identification presentation at entrance points during peak hours or when individuals appear younger than 30.

Acceptable identification includes: State driver's licenses, state ID cards, U.S. passports, military ID, and tribal enrollment cards. Foreign visitors should carry passports.

Security personnel receive training in authenticating identification documents. Sophisticated casinos employ ID scanning technology that reads encoded information and flags potentially fraudulent documents.

For Establishments:

For Underage Individuals:

Age restrictions aim to protect minors from gambling's potential psychological and financial harms while acknowledging adult decision-making capacity.

Research indicates that earlier gambling initiation correlates with higher problem gambling rates in adulthood. Brain development continues into the mid-20s, particularly in areas governing impulse control and consequence evaluation.

The 21-year threshold for casino gambling often reflects practical enforcement considerations. Separating alcohol and gambling ages creates compliance complications at integrated casino-bars, while uniform 21-year requirements simplify enforcement.

Beyond general age categories, numerous state-specific exceptions create additional complexity.

Tribal Gaming Sovereignty: Tribal gaming facilities operate under federal law and tribal compacts, sometimes establishing different age requirements than surrounding state casinos.

Game-Type Distinctions: Some states distinguish between casino game types. Oklahoma permits 18-year-olds to play bingo and certain electronic games while restricting other casino games to age 21. Florida allows 18+ for poker and bingo, but requires 21 for slots and table games. For those interested in where to play legally online, see this guide to bingo sites.

Social Gambling Exceptions: Many states permit private poker games and betting pools at any age, provided no rake or house edge exists and games occur in private residences.

Can you gamble in Las Vegas if you’re 18 years old? No. Nevada requires all casino patrons to be at least 21 years old. This applies to all casinos throughout Nevada, including Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe properties. No exceptions exist for table games, slots, or sports betting.

What happens if you win before turning 21? Casinos will confiscate all winnings if you're caught gambling underage. You'll be ejected from the property, face potential criminal charges, receive fines up to several thousand dollars, and be permanently banned. The casino keeps your winnings rather than paying them out.

Do tribal casinos always allow 18-year-olds? No. Many tribal casinos set the minimum gambling age at 21, especially those serving alcohol. While some tribal properties permit 18+ access through negotiated compacts with states, this varies significantly by location. Always verify the specific casino's age policy before visiting.

Can you enter a casino if you're under 21? This depends on the state and casino. Some properties allow minors to access non-gaming areas like restaurants and hotels, while others prohibit anyone under 21 from the entire premises. Nevada generally permits passage through gaming floors to reach other places, but New Jersey typically doesn't.

Legal gambling age requirements reflect a complex balancing between protecting minors and respecting adult autonomy. While the 21-year standard dominates casino gambling, substantial variation exists across states, gambling types, and specific circumstances.

Before visiting any casino:

✓ Research age requirements for your specific destination and gambling activity ✓ Bring valid, government-issued photo identification ✓ Call ahead if age policies are unclear ✓ Check both state law and individual property policies ✓ Understand that tribal casinos may have different rules than commercial casinos

The gambling industry's continued evolution, particularly regarding online platforms and emerging wagering types, will likely prompt ongoing age requirement debates. For now, responsible gambling begins with understanding and complying with applicable age restrictions, recognizing that these rules exist to protect vulnerable populations while permitting informed adult participation.