Minimum Gambling Age In California
If you are wanting to gamble, it is extremely important that you know the legal gambling ages in the USA. Here is the fact of the matter – trying to gamble underage is against the law. If you are caught doing so, you will face various consequences. They can be as simple as being kicked out of a casino, receiving a fine, or even some jail time. No matter how much you want to gamble, it is not worth possibly getting into legal trouble over. But the question is, how old do you need to be to make your bets?
Even though the legal age to gamble in California is 18, don't be surprised if you show up at a casino, money in hand, and are asked to leave if you're under 21. Some casinos don't allow patrons under 21 to enter because alcohol is being served. Before you travel to a casino, make sure you know ahead of time what the legal age is for entry.
- But the legal gambling age in Malta is 18 for tourists. The Maltese residents must be over the age of 25. Gambling Age in the UK. The Gambling Commission handles and regulates all gambling in the UK. Everything from the licenses to the vast gambling forms is handled by the GC. The UK has a uniform legal gambling age of 18.
- The gambling age in California generally is 18. Most casinos and other locations, however, require everyone within to be 21. Some games, including poker, require 21 years to play: as far as I can tell, this is a universal rule.
- Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in California. The minimum gambling age in California depends upon the gambling activity:. Land-Based Casinos: 18/21. Poker Rooms: 18/21. Bingo: 18. Lo'ery: 18. Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18 The minimum gambling age for land-based casinos vary because it depends upon whether.
Well, the legal gambling age depends on where you live. The legal gambling ages vary from state to state and that is not the only variance that you might see. Some states even have inconsistencies when it comes to the legal gambling age online versus going to any gambling facility and making your bets. So, what do you do? We suggest that you continue reading this page and all of our other pages on this site. We will give you as much information as we can to make sure you know what the legal gambling age is for your state or wherever you currently are in the United States.
If you are wondering what is the legal gambling ages for land-based gambling, then you have come to the right place. Due to how the United States is structured, there is no federal gambling age. Each state needs to decide for themselves what the legal gambling age is. On this site, we have listed off the legal gambling age for land-based gaming for every state. Generally speaking, so long as you are 21 years or older, you are safe all over the country. There are no states that have a legal gambling age over 21 years old.
If you want to know how old you have to be to gamble online, then you have to check with your local laws. The fact of the matter is, every single state in the country decides for themselves what the legal gambling age is supposed to be set at. Generally speaking, most states do not differentiate online gambling age from retail gambling age. That would further complicate things and would create an unbalanced market. If you are looking for the safest age gamble online, it is 21 years or older.
There are many types of legal gambling and not all of them have the same gambling age. The legal gambling age for your game of choice will depend on what the lawmakers in your state have decided. For example, there are many states that allow for betting on horse races. A majority of these states say you need to be 18 years or older to bet on the ponies. However, many of these same states say you need to be 21 years or older to bet on sports or go to the casino. On our state pages, we have listed out the various gambling ages for each state so you know how old you need to be to bet on the ponies or bet on your favorite sports team.
If you are looking for the best place to bet on sports, then online offshore sportsbooks like Bovada is where you need to go. Here, you are able to bet on all of your favorite teams no matter where you are in the United States. From football to darts, you have plenty of sports to bet on at Bovada. Not only is signing up free, but you can get bonuses for your first deposit. Bovada will give you a 50% matching bonus for your first deposit up to $250. It is an excellent way to get started and to fuel your new sports betting account. We definitely recommend you give Bovada a try if you want to bet on sports.
Sometimes, it is hard finding a reputable website that is made for poker players. That is why we often recommend BetOnline for people who want to play poker. The reason is simple, BetOnline has been around the internet for over a decade and they have been faithfully taking poker players all those years. It is hard to find a website to trust with your money, especially when gambling, but BetOnline is a site we trust and use to play poker. Not only that, signing up is free and there are great incentives to do so. One of the best bonuses is the 100% first deposit bonus. Your first deposit will be matched 100% for up to $2,500. Just use the promo code NEWBOL to claim your bonus.
Bingo is generally accepted in most states and there are plenty of locations in the country to bet on Bingo. But why travel when instead you can go online to Vic’s Bingo Hall and play bingo at home? There are bingo games being played throughout the day and you will have plenty of opportunities to play bingo on this website. There are plenty of promotions to take advantage of as well on this site. The promotions are never the same at Vic’s and for that reason, we highly recommend you sign up for your free account so you can take advantage of all the ongoing promotions.
Lucky Red Casino is without a doubt one of the best online casinos on in the world. Anyone in the United States can access this site and gamble on various casino games. From slots to roulette, Lucky Red has it all. With the various promotions that Lucky Red has to offer, there is no reason to not sign up for your free account. if you sign up and enter the promo code LuckyRed400, then you can receive a 400% slots bonus on your first deposit. It is good for up to $4000 and that is a lot of money to get you started.
There are many types of legal gambling and not all of them have the same gambling age. The legal gambling age for your game of choice will depend on what the lawmakers in your state have decided. For example, there are many states that allow for betting on horse races. A majority of these states say you need to be 18 years or older to bet on the ponies. However, many of these same states say you need to be 21 years or older to bet on sports or go to the casino. On our state pages, we have listed out the various gambling ages for each state so you know how old you need to be to bet on the ponies or bet on your favorite sports team.
Sports betting is regulated at the state level just like every other form of gambling. In both online and land-based sports betting options, bettors must be at least 18 to wager on sports. However, this is only true in a handful of states, as the majority of the country requires bettors to be 21 to bet on sports. When using a state-licensed sportsbook, bettors will have to ensure they fall within the minimum sports betting age requirement set by the state. This will be clearly posted on their online platform or within their sportsbook venue. When it comes to offshore sports betting sites, bettors still must follow the local laws, even if the site allows players to join at age 18.
The biggest difference surrounding casino gambling ages is the type of venue that you find yourself at. Casino gaming is also regulated at the state level, however, there are a few different regulatory bodies that one states can abide by. For example, bettors in New York are able to visit the upstate commercial casinos and begin wagering at 21 years old. Those who are 18 though can visit any of the tribal casinos sprinkled throughout the state to engage in casino gaming. No matter which method you go (offshore gambling sites included) be sure to follow the local laws.
Poker rooms generally require bettors to be 21 years old but there are a few states that accept players as young as 18. California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington State all have at least one venue that allows the younger gamblers to join. Some of these states may require an age of 21 at certain venues depending on their alcohol policies or when betting at a commercial casino versus a Native American casino.
The lottery is generally set as a game that players only need to be 18 to play. While this form of gambling has less to do with any skill or attention to detail, bettors can have fun by playing their numbers right when they become a legal adult. Keep in mind that every state is different, and in states like Arizona, Iowa, and Louisiana require that players be 21 or older to buy a lotto ticket. Also, some states do not have a legal industry at all.
While bingo is a game that many played as a kid, there are plenty of opportunities to bet on the game as well. These bingo halls are often seen in movies but they actually do exist in more locations than you may think. Bingo is another game that is generally the same across the board – allowing players to participate for real money at age 18. However, states like Alaska, Iowa, Nevada, and Texas make it so players must be at least 21, while other states allow bettors to play at age 16 or before.
Horse racing is an industry that has seen its decline in recent years, yet some can not be taken away from the track. Betting on the ponies is generally accepted at age 18 but again, every legal gambling age is set by its own state. Only in Arizona, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Nevada, New Hampshire, Texas, and Wisconsin is the gambling age not set at 18 for pari-mutuel wagering. Keep in mind that many states have banned the activity entirely – meaning there are no laws on the books for a minimum horse racing betting age.
State | Casinos | Poker Rooms | Bingo | Lottery | Dog/Horse Racing | Online Casinos | Online Sports | Online Poker | Online Bingo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | n/a | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Alaska Gambling Ages | 21 | n/a | 19 | n/a | n/a | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Arizona Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Arkansas Gambling Ages | n/a | n/a | n/a | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
California Gambling Ages | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Colorado Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Connecticut Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Delaware Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Florida Gambling Ages | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Georgia Gambling Ages | n/a | n/a | 18 | 18 | n/a | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Hawaii Gambling Ages | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Idaho Gambling Ages | 18 | n/a | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Illinois Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Indiana Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Iowa Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Kansas Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Kentucky Gambling Ages | n/a | n/a | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Louisiana Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Maine Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Maryland Gambling Ages | 21 | n/a | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Massachusetts Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Michigan Gambling Ages | 18-21 | 18-21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Minnesota Gambling Ages | 18-21 | 18-21 | 18-21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Mississippi Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | n/a | n/a | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Missouri Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Montana Gambling Ages | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Nebraska Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Nevada Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 21 | n/a | n/a | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
New Hampshire Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
New Jersey Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
New Mexico Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
New York Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
North Carolina Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | n/a | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
North Dakota Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Ohio Gambling Ages | 18-21 | 18-21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Oklahoma Gambling Ages | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Oregon Gambling Ages | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Pennsylvania Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 |
Rhode Island Gambling Ages | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | n/a | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
South Carolina Gambling Ages | n/a | n/a | 18 | 18 | n/a | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
South Dakota Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Tennessee Gambling Ages | n/a | n/a | 18 | 18 | n/a | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Texas Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Utah Gambling Ages | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Vermont Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | n/a | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Virginia Gambling Ages | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Washington Gambling Ages | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
West Virginia Gambling Ages | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Wisconsin Gambling Ages | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | n/a | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Wyoming Gambling Ages | 18 | 18 | 18 | n/a | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
As you might already know, each state decides for themselves what the minimum gambling age is. The minimum gambling age has varying factors because the ages in Alabama differ from states like Minnesota. Generally speaking, being 21 years or older will be safe throughout the entire United States. That is the highest age we have seen so far. But other states will say 18 and there are even some that will say 19. It also depends on who is running the casino. Casinos ran by the state might have different rules than tribal casinos. This is true in areas like New York, Washington State, and others.
18 years old is the youngest when you can start gambling and it is not the same for every state. Some states allow people the age of 18 to have a full range of the casino. Other states allow for people who are 18 to only bet on horse races and no other forms of gambling. It is important you know what you are allowed to do at 18 when you decide to visit a gambling facility so you don’t end up getting into legal trouble. Make sure to check out our reviews of the best legal online casinos for USA players, or legal online sports betting sites that accept bettors who are 18. Make sure to check out our reviews of the best legal online casinos for USA players, or legal online sports betting sites.
The legal gambling ages in places like the UK, Australia, India, Canada, and China are not that different from what you see in the United States. In the UK, people can start gambling as soon as they turn 18. The same is true in Australia and India. In Canada, the general consensus is that you need to be 19 years or older to start gambling. China is a bit stricter because they say you need to be 21 years or older to have a full range of Chinese gambling. As you can see, legal gambling ages largely depends on where you live. Make sure you always keep up with local laws to know if you are old enough to gamble wherever you live.
When visiting a place that is technically outside of the USA but still falls under local laws, bettors may be unsure about the minimum age to gamble at these American territories. Not every type of gambling has been approved in certain American territories so don’t expect to always find the offering at a land-based venue. Through the offshore gambling sites though, bettors can find any type of wagering they desire. In possibly the most accepting America gambling territory (Puerto Rico), bettors can be 18 to wager on most games but some locales may ask that you be 21.
Whether visiting an international casino cruise or hopping aboard a free-flowing riverboat casino, bettors must be aware of these ages to gamble as well. For the in-state casino cruises such as the ones that are popular in Missouri, bettors must be the age that the state requires. However, if you are venturing into international waters in cruises along the east coast, west coast, or the Gulf of Mexico, bettors will only need to be 18 years old to have fun. As always, be sure to check with the specific gambling establishment that you are wanting to gamble at.
Find more on the legal gambling age in the USA here along with other information about USA online gambling laws. You should be able to find the legal gambling age for all states on our website along with a list of gambling sites and venues that allow you to gamble at 18 or 21. They will all tell you when you try to sign up if you are under the legal age limit. Also check out www.legalsportsbetting.com to keep up with the legalization of sports betting in the USA. It looks like it may finally have some momentum and could be legal for US players real soon. Also check our the Legal Sports Betting Age for your state.
Legal Poker Gambling Age Legal Sports Betting Age
To gamble responsibly, a gambler must bear in mind the law.
After all, this isn’t the Wild West.
Most jurisdictions mandate that gambling age is a minimum age that a player can legally gamble. This age varies contingent on the specific state’s laws.
Of course, some areas don’t have casinos for you to sit down for a game of blackjack or roulette. Yet, almost every state offers residents some way to play the lottery.
Legal gambling ages also vary around the world. As you may have guessed, there are some countries where gambling is a big no-no regardless of how many trips you’ve made around the sun.
The Gambling Age for Online Casinos vs Land-Based Casinos
Usually, the minimum legal gambling age starts at 18 years old. Don’t rush out the door just yet, though, youngsters.
Depending on circumstances and state requirements by a gambling commission or applicable laws, these can vary.
Minimum Gambling Age In Canada
What category of gambling a game falls under can also play a determining role in what constitutes a legal age. When you make such distinctions of ages and types of markets, you sometimes see a range of legal gambling ages for each.
As far as casinos go, there’s typically a clear distinction between the rules regarding real money online casinos and traditional brick and mortar casinos. Regardless of your gambling endeavor, it’s imperative that you adhere to any guidelines put down for legal gambling ages.
Failing to follow the laws about gambling ages is a double-edged sword.
First, you’ll lose whatever money you are wagering.
Secondly, you’re going to have some legal troubles.
Neither of which is pleasant. In fact, they both sound horrible.
The above holds true for any form of gambling, but it’s particularly applicable in casino gambling.
Usually, online casinos will warn you upon entering whether a site is restricted in your area.
Luckily, the rules for land-based casinos are much more transparent. In the United States. The legal gambling age is set state by state. You should keep in mind that different laws apply to tribal casinos and they may have different requirements.
Even types of games like slots and video game machines may have totally different legal gambling ages associated with them.
Besides the numerous rule differences between Indian casinos and those under state or federal jurisdiction, there’s another category of different laws.
Casinos on cruise ships and gambling boats have a whole other set of laws to abide to. Most of the time on a cruise ship, the legal gambling age is 18 years old. That’s a full 3 years younger than most United States land-based casinos.
So, essentially you’re going to have to be at least 18 years old to legally gamble in the United States. Most casinos in the country are going to require that you’re 21 to enter. Of course, they’d prefer to have you in as early as possible.
Oh, Canada – What Kind of Age Requirements Do You Have?
Our cousin to the great north is pretty similar to us when it comes to legal gambling age. Just like the United States, they have their own grey areas.
Online gambling in Canada is regulated on a federal level. There are many online casinos you can sign up for, too.
Any of the casinos in Canada, brick and mortar or online, are required to obtain a government license before opening the doors.
If you’re headed to Manitoba, Alberta, or Quebec you can get in the doors of any casino at 18 years old. Oddly, anywhere else in the country you must be 19 years old.
This follows the same guidelines for drinking. Where the legal age in Manitoba, Alberta and Quebec is 18 and the rest of the country imposes a legal drinking age of 19.
Gambling Ages for Europe
Most European nations have a uniform legal gambling age. Yet, there can be slight variations country to country.
In terms of betting many countries set the legal gambling age at 18 years old. This mirrors the legal gambling ages for lotteries.
Two exceptions being Estonia and Denmark where the gambling age is a mere 16 years old.
Countries like Spain and France have recently lowered the legal gambling ages to fall in line with neighboring countries.
Strangely, a few countries have different restrictions. For example, Portugal allows visitors to the country to gamble at 18, while citizens of Portugal must be 21 to gamble.
Malta has a unique situation of their own. Let me be clear, Malta has one of the most outstanding gambling licenses on the planet, provided by the Malta Gaming Authority. In fact, Malta is a hub for many online casinos.
But the legal gambling age in Malta is 18 for tourists. The Maltese residents must be over the age of 25.
Gambling Age in the UK
The Gambling Commission handles and regulates all gambling in the UK. Everything from the licenses to the vast gambling forms is handled by the GC. The UK has a uniform legal gambling age of 18. This age requirement applies to all bingo halls, casinos, betting shops, racetracks and online gambling. This includes online UK casinos.
The minimum age for lotteries including football (soccer) pools and the National Lottery is only 16 years old. The 16 year old requirement also applies to games like coin pushers, claw grabbers and some low stakes gambling machines.
Oceania – Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand have a multitude of differences between them. Australia has strict gambling laws.
18 years old is technically the legal gambling age, but not all forms of gambling are legal. The only gambling you’re going to enjoy down under is sports betting or lotteries. There are no online casinos or live betting here.
Of course, many of our Aussie mates have found a loophole. You see, there aren’t any laws prohibiting Aussie citizens from taking advantage of overseas online gambling casinos. So, many Australians simply login to their favorite casino and pass the hours playing real money blackjack with their European friends.
What a time to be alive.
New Zealand has a minimum gambling age of 20 years old. They also have more direct rules about online gambling. Residents of New Zealand are allowed under the current laws to access online casinos from overseas. Yet, if you own one of these companies you are strictly prohibited from advertising your services in New Zealand.
So, it’s similar to the tobacco companies in the United States. Sure, you can buy their product. They can definitely sell their product. However, you won’t see any tobacco commercials on tv or hear them on the radio.
Gambling Age in India
India’s gambling laws are similar to those in the United States. The different Indian states have their own laws and regulations concerning gambling and gambling ages.
Basically, if you’re over 21 years old, gambling is legal.
Online gambling has been legalized in 2 states in India — one is Sikkim, and the other is Nagaland. This really doesn’t matter though, because residents of India don’t have any laws expressly banning their play on online casinos that are offshore.
So, again with the savvy gamblers finding loopholes to get in their gaming fix.
Conclusion
Let’s face it.
That’s a lot of information, and it can be overwhelming if you try to process it all.
The important aspect is to look at the gambling ages in all of the casinos of the world.
If you are itching to get in the casinos or can’t wait to introduce your son or daughter to the wondrous world of casinos, it’s in your best interest to just check the local laws before you go.
Casinos With 18 Gambling Age
These days, laws are constantly being changed to fit the times, and what is the case today, may well be different in 6 months.