US Gambling Regulations
Gambling activity is legal under federal law; however, as mentioned before, each state is allowed to place restrictions. Such restrictions are usually imposed by the states’ Gambling Commissions, which are also responsible for licensing of operators, as well as dealing with any irregularities and complaints.
Some states such as New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware have also set up state-run online casino sites. These casino sites are subject to stricter licensing laws since they are state-run and are considered as the safest and most secure for players.
Online Casinos vs Land-Based Casinos
In most countries, the legal age for gambling is 18. Still, it can differ from place to place, depending on the conditions and requirements of the specific gambling commissions and national legislation. Distinctions can also be made between gambling ages according to different categories of casinos. Different types of casinos in different gambling markets show a variety of ages ranging from 18 to 21, and sometimes even 22.
Similarly, while you might be allowed to gamble legally in an online casino of your choice, you might not be able to able to legally gamble in a land-based casino in a specific state or jurisdiction. This is why it is of utmost importance for gamblers to read up on the legal gambling age wherever they decide to embark on their gambling journey.
Online Casinos Legal Gambling Age
The gambling age limits in online casinos can be a bit confusing to understand since it all depends on where you’re gambling. A person in Europe is usually able to access and gamble at an online casino if they are at least 18 years old; however, in US states, players cannot wager at online casinos if they are under 21.
Most online casinos declare the legal gambling age the moment you visit the site, but if that is not the case, players should make sure that they are above the legal gambling age set by the online gambling site by reading through their regulations.
US online casinos typically ask for documents as proof of age and identity which could include (but are not limited to) driver’s license, address of residence and social security number.
Land-based Casinos
The rules are a bit clearer and easier to understand when it comes to the land-based casinos in the different states, such as New Jersey. Not only do all of the states in America have different minimum age requirements and allow different types of gambling, but the minimum age limit also differs concerning different slots, table games, video machines, and pull tabs. It is crucial for you, as a gambler, to familiarize yourself with them.
Some states allow casinos (usually tribal casinos) to accept players who are under 21 but over 18 years, other casinos who are permitted to allow players who are 18 years old are not allowed to serve any alcohol within the premises.
Minimum Legal Gambling Age in Each US State
The table below illustrates the minimum age limit required for gambling by different states. It also shows the legal gambling ages for different categories of gambling, including online casinos in the US, poker rooms, lotteries, and betting on races.
In some instances, where no information is available, the table states N/A. The average age in the states is 18 years but varies between 18-21. Maine and Oklahoma set the minimum age limit for bingo as low as 16 years of age.
| State |
Casinos |
Poker |
Bingo |
Lottery |
Racetrack |
|---|
| Alabama |
21
|
21
|
18
|
N/A |
18
|
| Alaska |
21 |
N/A |
19 |
N/A
|
N/A
|
| Arizona |
21
|
21 |
18 |
21
|
21
|
| Arkansas |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18 |
| California |
18/21 |
18/21 |
18 |
18
|
18
|
| Colorado |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Connecticut |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Delaware |
21
|
18/21 |
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Florida |
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Georgia |
18 (cruises only)
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Hawaii |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Idaho |
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Illinois |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Indiana |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Iowa |
21
|
21
|
18 |
21
|
21
|
| Kansas |
21
|
21 |
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Kentucky |
N/A
|
N/A
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Louisiana |
21
|
21
|
18
|
21
|
18
|
| Maine |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Maryland |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Massachusetts |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Michigan |
18/21 |
18/21 |
18
|
18 |
18
|
| Minnesota |
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Mississippi |
21
|
21
|
18
|
N/A |
18
|
| Missouri |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Montana |
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Nebraska |
21
|
21
|
18
|
19 |
19 |
| Nevada |
21
|
21
|
21
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| New Hampshire |
21
|
18
|
18
|
18 |
18
|
| New Jersey |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| New Mexico |
21
|
21
|
No Limit |
18
|
18
|
| New York |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| North Carolina |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
N/A
|
| North Dakota |
18/21 |
18/21 |
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Ohio |
18/21 |
18/21 |
18
|
18 |
18
|
| Oklahoma |
18
|
18
|
16 |
18
|
18
|
| Oregon |
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Pennsylvania |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Rhode Island |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18 |
18
|
| South Carolina |
21 (cruises only)
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
N/A
|
| South Dakota |
18 (Indian casinos only)
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Tennesse |
N/A
|
N/A
|
18
|
18
|
N/A
|
| Texas |
21
|
21
|
21
|
18 |
18 |
| Utah |
21
|
21
|
18
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| Vermont |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
N/A |
| Virginia |
21
|
18
|
18
|
18 |
18
|
| Washington |
18 |
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Maine |
21 |
21 |
16 |
18 |
18 |
| West Virginia |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
| Wisconsin |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
N/A
|
| Wyoming |
21
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
US Online Casinos
For the time being, online casinos are permitted in four states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Delaware. Some states are gearing up to introduce votes on bills that may permit online casinos; however the process is a lengthy one and the bill often gets postponed or vetoed. Therefore, at the moment we cannot say when we expect more states to make online casino gambling legal.
New Jersey Online Casinos
New Jersey has taken the industry by storm ever since online gambling was legalized in February 2013 by Gov. Chris Christie. New Jersey players are allowed to wager on online poker, sports betting and online gambling as long as they are at least 21 years old.
Check out our New Jersey Online Casinos page to get a full detailed guide as to how online gambling is done within the state.
Pennsylvania Online Casinos
Online Gambling in Pennsylvania became fully legal on the 30th of October 2017, when Gov. Tom Wolf signed HB 271. Thus, anyone who is over 21 years old can participate in online casinos, online poker, online sports betting and lottery activities within state borders.
For more information, on online casinos in Pennsylvania, check out our dedicated PA Online Casinos page.
Nevada Online Casinos
Online gambling is a bit of a grey area in Nevada. Players in this state can play at any land-based casino however there are some restrictions for when it comes to online casinos. Players are not allowed to gamble on games of pure chance so for example, online casinos cannot offer slots to players in Nevada. On the other hand, players can place bets on games of skill such as online poker, card games and sports matches as long as they are of legal gambling age; that is, 21 years old.
The Nevada Online Casinos page will give you a detailed guide on what types of gambling are legal, what is not allowed and who regulates the industry within the state borders.
Delaware Online Casinos
The Delaware Lottery oversees the online gambling industry within the state of Delaware. There are two age restrictions for players: those wishing to play with the state lottery must be at least 18 years old, whereas to place wagers on sports matches, casino games and online poker, the player must be at least 21 years old.
Our Delaware Online Casinos page will have all the necessary information pertaining to the state’s regulations.
United States Gambling Age FAQs
For more information, check out our readers’ frequently asked questions below.
