Avid casino players under the age of 21 have limited options in the United States; however, casino cruises and online casino options are available to almost everyone.
18+ casino gambling is allowed to some extent in all 50 states via online gambling sites. Online gambling sites offered to US players typically reside outside the United States, and only a few states have authorized online casino gambling from local brick-and-mortar locations.
In addition to online gambling and the select few states that allow domestic online casinos, there is a new craze: casino gambling on cruise ships.
Gambling At Sea
Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise lines allow casino gambling over 18 when in international waters. While alcohol is still only permitted to guests over 21 and marijuana consumption is strictly prohibited, the casino gambling age is generally set to 18 and up for guests.
While in international waters, cruise ships do not have to follow US laws and, therefore, can choose their minimum gambling age. Since gambling on a cruise ship isn’t for everyone and is only accessible to most people a couple of times a year, online casinos have taken the wheel and offer the best alternative for most players.
Online Casinos For US Players
As mentioned above, several of the most trusted online casinos have set their gambling age to 18 and up but require players to follow state laws concerning gambling age. While we have never heard of anyone getting in trouble for gambling online in the United States, the federal government has passed some laws to deter depositing into a foreign account.
To get around the occasional UIGEA restriction, many US gamblers have started to deposit with alternative currencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and more. Crypto deposits make depositing and withdrawing from an online casino fast and easy, with turnaround times anywhere from instant to 24 hours.
Popular Online Casino Games
The most popular online casino games are also the popular games you find on the casino floor. Blackjack, video poker, baccarat, roulette, and slots are typically the most popular.
Online casino game odds are based on the odds offered in the Vegas casinos, and licensed casino sites go through regular compliance checks to assure their players the games are safe to play. If you want to know more about our casino recommendations and the licensing procedures they must abide by to be included on our site, see our online casino reviews, where we break down the best and worst features of each of our favorite sites.