Minimum Gambling Age by State
The USA gambling industry has no one set minimum gambling age which can cause confusion for a lot of young adults interested in 18+ casinos, poker, sports betting, bingo, lottery, etc. In fact, the betting market in the US is comprised of the individual gaming opportunities legalized and made available in each state. These states are permitted to make laws specific to their borders, especially regarding available gaming and betting offers and applicable legal minimum gambling ages.
The available wagering offers in a state are simply forms of gambling which are legalized by law, as well as, active. Some states have games legalized on the books but may not offer it anymore due to the industry dying – this is commonly the case in greyhound racing.
In addition, offshore online casino gambling, as well as offshore online sports betting, poker and pari-mutuel wagering are also legally available in most states at age 18. Below we have provided the legal minimum gambling age for each state according to venue, as well as a direct link to a page with more information about the legal minimum gambling ages in each individual state.
Minimum Legal Gambling Age By State As Of 2023
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Alabama
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Dogs at Birmingham Race Course & OTB on Horses), Offshore Gambling
Age 19: Bingo, Pari-mutuel betting (Dogs at Mobile Greyhound Park & In Green County)
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Tribal Class II Slots & Bingo)
Alaska
Age 18: Contest Betting & Participation (Mushing, Salmon Canning, Mercury Class, Rain Classic, Goose Classic, Race Classic, Mushing Sweepstakes, King Salmon classic, Ice Classic, Fish Derbies, Snow Machine Classic, the Deep Freeze Classic), Pari-mutuel Betting (Mushing) Offshore Gambling
Age 19: Charitable Gambling (Class II Gaming Facilities Bingo, Lottery, Pull Tabs & Raffles)
Age 21: Casino Cruises
Arizona
Age 18: Offshore Gambling
Age 21: Casinos Gambling (Tribal Class III Slots, Table Games, Poker), Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Social Gambling, State Lottery
Arkansas
Age 18: Bingo, Charitable gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Dogs & Horses), Offshore Gambling, Raffles, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Slots, Blackjack), Electronic Gaming Machines (Video Blackjack, Video Poker, Video Slots), Sports Gambling
California
Age 18: Bingo, Casino Gambling (Not Serving Alcohol), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Poker, Offshore Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Serving Alcohol)
Colorado
Age 18: Bingo, Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, Raffles, State Lottery
Age 21: Card Rooms (Poker & Other Card Variations), Casino Gambling (Table Games & Card Games)
Connecticut
Age 18: Bingo, Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Duck Races, Frog, & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses & Jai alai), Social Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Electronic Table Games, Gaming Machines, Slots, & Table Games)
Connecticut Legal Gambling Age
Delaware
Age 18: Bingo, Charitable Gambling (Poker), Pari-mutuel Betting (Dogs & Horses), Poker (at Poker Rooms outside of Casinos), Offshore Gambling, Scratch Cards, State Lottery
Age 21: Casinos Gambling (Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette), Poker (Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, Pai Gow), Sports Gambling
District of Columbia
Age 18: Bingo, Charitable Gambling (Monte Carlo Nights & Raffles), Keno (D.C. Lottery Keno Spin), Lottery, Offshore Gambling
District of Columbia Legal Gambling Age
Florida
Age 18: Bingo, Pari-mutuel Betting (Dog, Horses & Jai alai), Poker, Offshore Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Table Games, Poker, Slots, Video Poker)
Georgia
Age 18: Casino Cruises, Charitable Gambling (Bingo), Free Play Poker, Offshore Gambling, Raffles, State Lottery
Hawaii
Age 18: Social Gambling, Offshore Gambling
Idaho
Age 18: Bingo, Casino Gambling (Tribal Class II Bingo, Raffles & Video Styled Slots), Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses & OTB on Dogs), Offshore Gambling, Raffles, State Lottery
Illinois
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Casino Nights, Jar Games, Pull tabs, Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, Scratch Cards, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Riverboats)
Indiana
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Land or Ship), Racinos
Iowa
Age18: Offshore Gambling
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Tribal Class III Bingo, Poker, Slots, Table Games), Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Gambling (Dogs & Horses), State Lottery
Kansas
Age 18: Bingo, Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Daily Fantasy Sports, State Lottery, Offshore Gambling
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Tribal and Commercial)
Kentucky
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Charity Game Tickets & Raffles,), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Historical Racing Machines
Louisiana
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Keno & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Casino Cruises, Tribal Commercial Casino, Slot Only Casino, Riverboat Casinos), Racinos, State Lottery
Maine
Age 18: Charitable gambling (Bingo), Daily Fantasy Sports, Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling. State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Live poker, Slots & Video Poker, Tribal Bingo), Racinos, Sports Gambling
Maryland
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Daily Fantasy Sports, Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling
Age 21: Casino Gambling, Racinos
Massachusetts
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo/Beano, Bridge, Raffles & Whist) Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, Scratch Cards, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Casino Cruises, Land-based venues), Daily Fantasy Sports, Poker, Pull Tabs (from Bars), Racinos
Massachusetts Legal Gambling Age
Michigan
Age 18: Bingo, Casino Gambling (Tribal Not Serving Alcohol), Bowling Tournament, Millionaire Parties, Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Poker, Offshore Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Tribal & Commercial Venues Serving Alcohol), Poker
Minnesota
Age 18: Bingo, Casino Gambling (Tribal), Charitable Gambling (Casino Nights), Paddlewheel, Pari-mutuel Betting (Dogs & Horses), Poker, Pull Tabs, Offshore Gambling, Raffles, Skill Based Tournaments (Bowling, Billiards & Darts), State Lottery, Tipboard
Mississippi
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo), Offshore Gambling
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Class III on land and ship), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses – only on Casino Cruises), Poker, Sports Gambling
Mississippi Legal Gambling Age
Missouri
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, Social Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling, Daily Fantasy Sports, Poker
Montana
Age 18: Casino Gambling (Tribal Class II Video Gaming Terminals), Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Keno & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, Social Gambling, Video Gaming Devices
Nebraska
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Keno, Lotteries, Pickle Card & Raffles), Offshore Gambling
Age 19: Keno, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Tribal Class II Gaming Machines) Skill-based Tournaments (Bowling, Billiards, Darts), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses)
Nevada
Age 18: Offshore Gambling
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Tribal & Commercial Baccarat, Craps, Electronic Games, Keno, Roulette, Slots, Table Games, Video Poker), Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Casino Nights, Lotteries & Raffles), Daily Fantasy Sports, Pari-mutuel (Horses), Poker, Social Gambling, Sports Gambling
New Hampshire
Age 18: Casino Gambling (Land or Ship), Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Luck 7, Poker & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Poker, Offshore Gambling
New Hampshire Legal Gambling Age
New Jersey
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling, Poker, Sports Gambling
New Mexico
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Door Prize Drawings, Pull Tabs, Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, State Lottery, Video Slots (at Racinos)
Age 21: Casino Gambling, Poker, Sports Gambling
New York
Age 18: Casino Gambling (Commercial & Tribal Class III Poker & Table Games Not Serving Alcohol), Charitable Gambling (Bell Jars, Bingo, Coin Boards & Raffles), Electronic Gaming Machines (Video Bingo & Video Slots) Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, Racinos, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Serving Alcohol), Poker
North Carolina
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Low-Risk Bingo, State Lottery, Offshore Gambling
Age 21: Casino Gambling, Poker
North Carolina Legal Gambling Age
North Dakota
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Calcuttas, Paddlewheels, Punchboards, Pull Tabs, Sports pools, Twenty-One & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting, State Lotteries, Offshore Gambling
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Tribal Class III Table Games, Slots & Video Lottery Games), Poker
North Dakota Legal Gambling Age
Ohio
Age 18: Bass Fishing Tournaments, Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, Social gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling, Lottery Like Slots (at Racinos), Poker
Oklahoma
Age 18: Casino Gambling (Tribal Not Serving Alcohol), Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Breakopen),Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Serving Alcohol)
Oregon
Age 18: Bingo, Charitable Gambling (Casino Nights, Slot Machines & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, Raffles, Social Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Tribal Class III Blackjack, Craps, Poker & Roulette)
Pennsylvania
Age 18: Bingo, Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Pull Tabs & Punchboards), Offshore Gambling, Raffles, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling, Gaming Machines, Poker, Table Games, Tavern Games
Pennsylvania Legal Gambling Age
Rhode Island
Age 18: Bingo, Casino Gambling, Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Pull Tab), Pari-mutuel Betting (Dog, Horses & Jai alai), Offshore Gambling, Raffles, Sports Gambling, State Lottery, Slot Machines, Video Lottery Terminals (at Racinos)
Rhode Island Legal Gambling Age
South Carolina
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo), State Lottery, Offshore Gambling
Age 21: Casino Cruises
South Carolina Legal Gambling Age
South Dakota
Age 18: Bingo, Casino Gambling (Tribal Not Serving Alcohol), Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Lotteries), Pari-mutuel Betting (Dogs & Horses), Offshore Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Commercial & Tribal Serving Alcohol), Poker
South Dakota Legal Gambling Age
Tennessee
Age 18: Bingo, Daily Fantasy Sports, Charitable Gambling (Lottery Games), Pari-mutuel Betting (OTB on Horses), Offshore Gambling, Raffles, Raffle Style Games, State Lottery
Texas
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Dogs & Horses), Office Pools, Offshore Gambling, Social Gambling, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Bingo, Card Games, Electronic Games, Poker)
Utah
Age 18: Offshore Gambling
Age 21: Free Bingo, No Buy-in Poker
Vermont
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Casino Nights, Poker, Pull tabs, Raffles), Offshore Gambling, State Lottery, Video Lottery Terminals
Virginia
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Betting on Duck Races, Lotteries & Raffles), Daily Fantasy Sports, Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling
Washington
Age 18: Casino Gambling (Not Serving Alcohol), Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting, Office Pool, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Serving Alcohol)
West Virginia
Age 18: Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles), Pari-mutuel Betting (Dogs & Horses), Offshore Gambling, Scratch Cards, State Lottery, Video Lottery Terminals
Age 21: Casino Gambling, Electronic Gaming Machines, Racinos, Table Games
West Virginia Legal Gambling Age
Wisconsin
Age 18: Casino Gambling (Tribal Not Serving Alcohol), Charitable Gambling (Bingo), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Pull Tabs, Offshore Gambling, Scratch Cards, State Lottery
Age 21: Casino Gambling (Serving Alcohol)
Wyoming
Age 18: Casino Gambling (Tribal Bingo, Poker, Slots, Table Games, Video Poker), Charitable Gambling (Bingo, Casino Nights & Pull Tabs), Pari-mutuel Betting (Horses), Offshore Gambling, Social Gambling, State Lottery
How Are Minimum Legal Gambling Ages Set?
Within these states are regulations on wagering like licensing, taxation, consumer protection, and minimum age restrictions. While there is no one legal gaming age in the United States, it is safe to say the minimum legal gambling age in the USA is typically eighteen. In a few of states, eighteen is the minimum age but some states raise their legal minimum age restriction to twenty-one.
Some states have multiple minimum ages which change per game option offered. For instance, some states may have casinos restricted to those 21 and older while in the same state betting on horse races can be done by 18 year olds. Even stranger, a state can offer casino gambling with two minimum ages – 18 & 21.
Why Do Some States Offer Two Minimum Gambling Ages For The Same Gaming Option?
The legal minimum wagering age for USA casinos can vary by state. Depending on whether there is a specific provision written within the state’s gaming legislation which provides a minimum age requirement, options such as casinos (whether commercial, tribal, shipboard, etc.) can determine their own policies toward minimum aged players as long as their policies do not violate any existing regulations.
For example, if a state allows casino gambling at age 18, but a casino wants to serve alcohol, they can opt to establish a minimum age to enter their property of 21 years and up. These policies are usually affected by whether the casino has an alcohol license, wants to appease local alcohol licensing boards, or wants to avoid accidental underage drinking.
In the latter case mentioned above, gambling venues can exclude young adults who are under 21 from even walking on the game floor. In another situation commonly found in many US states, eighteen year olds may not have legal access to play on electronic gaming machines located at racetracks where they are otherwise allowed to bet on horse races.
What About New Laws?
New gambling laws and regulations made by either the state legislature or the highest court of the nation, the Supreme Court, can affect types of wagering made available like sports betting, online gaming, mobile wagering, poker, casino gaming, and so on. Hand in hand, new legislation in states can also affect legal age restrictions. This change could be positive or negative for those who are eighteen depending if they raised or lowered the minimum age.
FAQs
How Old Do You Have To Be To Gamble In The U.S.?
The minimum legal gaming age in the United States varies by state. Each state can offer a single or multiple minimum age restrictions. If there are multiple minimum ages these change per game legalized and regulated by the state. From the data collected above, US states can have a minimum gambling age of either 18, 19, and/or 21.
What’s The Legal Gambling Age For US Land Based Casinos?
The legal age in most US casinos varies by state according to state law or alcohol licensing compliance. Typically, the minimum age for casino gambling is either eighteen or twenty-one.
What Is The Legal Gambling Age For US Based Online Casinos?
This answer depends on whether the state offers online casino games from a state licensed and regulated platform. If so, then the minimum age for online casino gambling in the US often mirrors the minimum age for casinos in the state – usually at either eighteen or twenty-one.
What Is The Legal Gambling Age For Offshore Online Casinos?
Regarding licensed offshore online casinos, the minimum legal wagering age is set by the gaming provider. Typically, this age minimum is 18 or 21 and is strictly enforced. However, we often recommend US players to abide by the minimum age restriction recommended by their state for casino gambling.
What Is The Penalty For Underage Gambling?
It is important to abide by all gaming laws made by either the state, federal government, or international jurisdiction. Depending on whether the underage player gambles at domestic venues or an online platform can determine the severity of the penalty on the player. Domestically, punishments for underage gambling can result in immediate arrest and charges for illegal wagering or betting which can include a hefty fine and/or jail time.
On licensed offshore online platforms, underage gamblers will usually face an account freeze, suspension, or deactivation with all winnings forfeited, as well as, a potential to be blacklisted from the brand.