Legal Gambling Age: Requirements & Restrictions by Country
The legal gambling age varies across different countries and regions, with specific requirements for various forms of gambling. In the United States, the most common legal gambling age is 21, particularly for casino gambling. However, some states allow certain types of gambling at 18.
For casino gambling in the US, most states require participants to be 21 or older. This includes popular gambling destinations like Las Vegas, Nevada, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. This age requirement applies to all casino games, including slots, table games, and poker.
State lotteries typically have a minimum age requirement of 18, though some states set it at 21. For instance, Arizona, Iowa, and Louisiana require lottery players to be 21, while most other states allow participation at 18.
Sports betting ages also vary by state: - Most states require bettors to be 21 - Some states allow sports betting at 18 - Mobile sports betting typically follows the same age requirements as in-person betting
In the United Kingdom, the legal gambling age is 18 for most forms of gambling, including: - Casino games - Sports betting - Online gambling - Bingo halls
The only exception in the UK is the National Lottery, where the minimum age is 18 (changed from 16 in 2021).
In Canada, the legal gambling age varies by province: - Alberta: 18 - British Columbia: 19 - Ontario: 19 - Quebec: 18
European countries generally set their gambling age at 18, though some variations exist: - Greece: 21 - Portugal: 18 - Germany: 18 - France: 18
It's important to note that these age restrictions apply to both online and physical gambling establishments. Gambling operators are required by law to verify the age of their customers, and penalties for underage gambling can be severe for both the player and the operator.
When traveling, always check local gambling laws and age requirements, as they can differ significantly from your home country. Remember that attempting to gamble underage or falsifying age documentation is illegal and can result in serious consequences.