This is often a tricky one to answer because, in the USA, the minimum gambling age varies depending on which state you are in. In addition, each state has its own gambling regulatory body with its rules set for different gambling categories. Below, you’ll find exactly how old you need to be to gamble at a casino, play real money poker, and bet on your favorite sports.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in the United States?

The legal gambling age in the United States varies depending on the state and the activity you want to gamble on. Usually, this is either 18 or 21, in most U.S. states. The gambling age in Vegas is 21 for all available activities, including casinos, poker, and pari-mutuel betting.

There are some specific exemptions for tribal casinos. While commercial casinos may only admit you if you are 21, a tribal casino may allow you to enter at 18 because they enjoy sovereignty.

While some states forbid casino gambling under 21, young adults who are 18 or older can still enjoy activities such as bingo, keno, lottery, and more.

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Why Do Americans Have to Wait Until 21 in Most Cases to Gamble?

The gambling age is set at 21 for a reason that most likely has to do with how the law interprets an individual’s legal status in society. Until a person is an adult, which is usually 21, they are the responsibility of their parents.

In other words, if an individual were to gamble and rack up a huge gambling debt, his parents would be legally obligated to pay for him or her. That’s why in most cases, the gambling age in the USA is set at 21, although this has been adjusted in some states depending on the activity and at what age an individual is considered an adult.

Should I Gamble If I Am Not of the Legal Age?

Underage gamblers should know that they might be legally prosecuted or could put their guardians or parents in trouble with the authorities.

An individual who doesn’t meet the requirements for legal gambling age is committing a crime, whether knowingly or unwittingly, and whether the crime is facilitated by underground gambling rings or otherwise.

Interestingly, you can gamble through offshore operators who tend to provide a variety of online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks even if they don’t have a license to operate in your state/country.

This can be an alternative if you are not yet over the age of 21 as you’ll find that many of them only have an 18+ age requirement. However, you should always double-check with your local state authorities that it’s legal to do so.

Top 5 States with the Lowest Casino Gambling Age

1. Montana (See Montana Code §§23-5-158 and 23-5-603) – Montana is among the states with the lowest legal gambling age. Residents and guests who are 18 or older can participate in the lottery, pari-mutuel betting, and even casino gambling such as slot machines. In addition to the aforementioned activities, charity bingo, and pull-tab games are available to people who are 16 or older.
2. Florida (See Florida Statutes §849.0931) – Florida is a state that offers legal sports betting, casino gambling, and lottery games. Wagering on sports along with casino gambling is restricted to anyone under 21. However, Florida offers plenty of other gambling options, considering that the legal gambling age for pull-tab games, charity bingo, and the lottery is 18.
3. New Jersey (See New Jersey Revised Statutes §§5:9-15 and 5:9-7) – Similar to Montana, New Jersey offers a wide range of gambling activities for anyone above the age of 18. Casino gambling, sports betting, and poker are restricted to people under the age of 21, however, the legal gambling age for lottery, pull tabs and charity bingo games is 18.
4. Las Vegas, Nevada (See Nevada Revised Statutes §463.350) – Nevada is the home of Las Vegas which is also popular as the gambling capital of the world. There’s a range of gambling options available for visitors in guests of the state. With that in mind, visitors need to be 21 or older to place bets on sports events, play slots, or participate in poker tournaments.
5. New York – Visitors can enjoy a variety of gambling options. The legal gambling age for poker, casino gambling, and sports betting is 21, although the minimum age for Tribal casinos is 18.

Top 5 States with the Lowest Sports Betting Age

While 21 is considered the minimum legal betting age for many states when it comes to wagering on sports, there are several states where sports fans, 18 or older, can legally place bets.

New Hampshire is among the states that recognize 18 as a legal gambling age and offers sports wagering for anyone who is 18 or older. Visitors and residents in the state who are 18+ can also enjoy poker but need to be 21 or older to engage in casino gambling.

Similarly, in Montana, bettors need to be 18 or order to legally place sports bets. Besides wagering on sports, anyone 18 or older in The Treasure State can enjoy casino gambling and poker.

Rhode Island is another US state that offers plenty of gambling options for anyone who is 18 or older. Notably, visitors and residents in The Ocean State can place wagers on sports if they are 18 years of age or older. In addition, the same legal gambling age is required for poker and casinos.

Visitors and guests who are 18 years old or older in Washington state can access a range of gambling options. The aforementioned age is the minimum required for sports betting. What’s more, anyone who is 18 or older in Washington state can also enjoy casino and poker gambling.

Last but not least, Wyoming is another state where 18 is the minimum required age for sports wagering. While bettors and sports fans alike can legally place bets if they are 18 or older, they need to be at least 21 to participate in poker or visit a casino.

Top 5 States with the Lowest Poker Age

While some young adults prefer wagering on their favorite sports teams and casino slots, others are more interested in card games such as poker. Across the country, the minimum legal age for poker varies between 18 and 21.

In some states, such as California for example, where there are Native American Tribes offering poker and casino gambling, the minimum legal gambling age can be 18 instead of 21.

Adults who are 18 or older and are interested in poker should definitely look for legal options in the following states:

• Connecticut
• Florida
• Idaho
• New Hampshire
• Michigan

Notable mentions where visitors or residents need to be 18 or older to engage in poker gambling include Montana, Minnesota, Virginia, Rhode Island, and Washington.

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