Minimum Gambling Age in the US - Legal Age in 2024

US Gambling Age Regulations

Gambling activity is legal under federal law; however, as mentioned before, each state is allowed to place restrictions and has its own gambling laws. 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 the safest and most secure for players.

Online Casinos VS Land-Based

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 the US 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 online casinos 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.

Confusing Topic

The gambling age limits in online casinos can be a bit confusing to understand since it all depends on where you’re gambling. According to EU gambling laws, 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 being over age limitations and identity which could include (but are not limited to) driver’s license, address of residence, and social security number. Even the online casino sweepstakes require the player to follow the gambling age rules.

Legal Gambling Age in the US Table

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.

The average age in the states is 18 years but varies between 18-21, even for social players choosing to play with the Luckyland slots app or with the Chumba Casino bonus code. Maine and Oklahoma set the minimum age limit for bingo as low as 16 years of age.

US State	Age for Casino	Age for Poker	Age for Bingo	Age for Lottery	Age for Racetrack
Alabama	21	21	18	21	18
Alaska	21	21	19	21	21
Arizona	21	21	18	21	21
Arkansas	21	21	18	18	18
California	18	18	18	18	18
Colorado	21	21	18	18	18
Connecticut	21	21	18	18	18
Delaware	21	18	18	18	18
Florida	21	18	18	18	18
Georgia	18 (Cruises)	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	21	21	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	18	18	18	18
Minnesota	18	18	18	18	18
Mississippi	21	21	18	21	18
Missouri	21	21	18	18	18
Montana	18	18	18	18	18
Nebraska	21	21	18	19	19
Nevada	21	21	21	21	21
New Hampshire	21	18	18	18	18
New Jersey	21	21	18	18	18
New Mexico	21	21	21	18	18
New York	21	21	18	18	18
North Carolina	21	21	18	18	21
North Dakota	18	18	18	18	18
Ohio	18	18	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)	18	18	18	21
South Dakota	18 (Indian Casinos)	21	18	18	18
Tennesse	21	21	18	18	21
Texas	21	21	21	18	18
Utah	21	21	18	21	21
Vermont	21	21	18	18	21
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	21
Wyoming	21	21	18	18	18

Legal Gambling Age FAQs

For more information, check out our readers’ frequently asked questions below.