A Guide to the Legal Gambling Age in the USA
The USA is the world’s biggest gambling destination where players can find the best casinos and lotteries. However, you will find that the minimum age to gamble in the US varies. For example, from state to state and even from casino to casino.
For that reason, we’ve made a guide with the latest information regarding the legal gambling age in the USA.
Legal gambling age in the USA
All in all, there’s no denying that the USA is one of the best gambling destinations in the world. Here, players can find the best casinos to win the jackpot in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Not to mention, the USA also has a great selection of lotteries on the sites to win the jackpot. These include the likes of the US Powerball and Mega Millions which are both available on top lottery sites like theLotter.
So, it’s only natural that players of all walks of life would jump at the opportunity to gamble in the USA. However, when it comes to gambling here, there are strict age restrictions.
Fortunately, you can stay up to date with the legal gambling age in the USA with our guide.
Gambling age state by state in the USA
To begin with, the legal gambling age in the USA varies from state to state. Generally, the minimum gambling age in the USA is 18 years. So this covers all legal forms of gambling, from casino games to the lottery.
Furthermore, these age restrictions also apply to all games offline on land-based casinos or on online jackpot sites. Now, let’s take a closer at each state and its age restrictions of various types of gambling:
| State | Casino | Poker | Bingo | Lottery | Horse racing | Sports Betting |
| Alabama | 21 | 19 | 18 | – | 18 | – |
| Alaska | 21 | – | 19 | – | – | – |
| Arizona | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | – |
| Arkansas | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| California | 18/21 | 18/21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Colorado | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| Connecticut | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Delaware | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| Florida | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Georgia | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Hawaii | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – | – |
| Idaho | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| Illinois | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| Indiana | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| Iowa | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Kansas | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Kentucky | 18 | 18 | 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 | 18/21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| Minnesota | 18/21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Mississippi | 21 | 21 | 18 | – | 18 | 21 |
| Missouri | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Montana | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Nebraska | 21 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 18 | – |
| Nevada | 21 | 21 | 21 | – | 21 | 21 |
| New Hampshire | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| New Jersey | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| New Mexico | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| New York | 18/21 | 18/21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18/21 |
| North Carolina | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| North Dakota | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Ohio | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Oklahoma | 18/21 | 18/21 | 16 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Oregon | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18/21 |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| Rhode Island | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| South Carolina | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | – | – |
| South Dakota | 21 | 21 | – | 18 | 18 | – |
| Tennessee | 21 | – | 18 | 18 | – | 21 |
| Texas | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 21 | – |
| Utah | 18 | 18 | – | – | – | – |
| Vermont | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Virginia | – | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Washington | 18/21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| Washington DC | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
| West Virginia | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Wisconsin | 18/21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | – | – |
| Wyoming | 18 | 21 | 18 | 18 | – | – |
Interesting facts about the gambling age restrictions in the USA
Overall, the legal gambling age in the USA is at either 18 or 21. However, as shown previously, there are a few exceptions to some forms of gambling. For example, in Oklahoma, the minimum age requirement to play Bingo is 16.
What’s more, players can also play the popular game of chance online on top sites like Bovada Casino. All in all, when it comes to gambling age restrictions, laws, and penalties, each state in the USA is unique.
For instance, in Alabama, it is illegal for a player to go betting with a minor, whether or not the minor is playing or not. In Arizona, it’s legal for charitable organizations to operate as a casino at night.
Despite this, one law that applies to all states is that it is illegal for players under 21 years of age to drink at casinos. So, these players won’t be able to pop champagne when they strike it rich on the best jackpot offers.
Now that you are now familiar with the legal gambling age in the USA, there’s no better time than now to try your luck on the casino games. Or, even on the biggest lotto jackpots today in the USA.
However, be sure to first check out our latest review about Bovada Casino, where you can find a range of casino games from poker to baccarat. What’s more, our review about theLotter will give you more information on the biggest lotteries in the USA.
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