Katy Ngo
Mentor
Last updated: 07 August 2024

If you’re thinking about starting to gamble but aren’t sure if it’s allowed, you should know the legal age for gambling in your country. Like age rules for video games, alcohol, and tobacco, gambling also has limits. In most places, the legal age for gambling is 18 years. This article will guide you through age rules for gambling and sports betting in countries around the world.

United States

In the United States, the legal age for gambling is usually 18, but this can vary by state. For example, the legal age for gambling in Vegas is 21 for casinos, while Florida allows some types of gambling at 18. Always check your state’s age rules before you play to ensure you’re following local laws.

States

Casino Games

Sports Betting

Kentucky

N/A

21

Florida

21

18

Arizona

21

21

Connecticut

21

21

Alaska

21

N/A

California

18

N/A

Alabama

21

N/A

Arkansas

21

21

Colorado

21

21

Delaware

21

21

Georgia

18 (cruises only)

N/A

Hawaii

21

N/A

Idaho

18

N/A

Illinois

21

21

Iowa

21

21

Kansas

21

N/A

New Hampshire

21

21

Louisiana

21

21

Massachusetts

21

18

Nebraska

21

18

Nevada

21

21

Maine

21

N/A

New Jersey

21

18

Mississippi

21

18

New Mexico

21

18

Michigan

18/21

18

Missouri

21

18

Montana

18

18

New York

21

18

Maryland

21

21

Minnesota

18

18

North Carolina

21

21

North Dakota

21

21

Ohio

21

N/A

Oklahoma

18

N/A

Oregon

21

21

Pennsylvania

21

21

Rhode Island

21

21

South Dakota

18 (at Indian Casinos)

21

Washington

18

21

Wyoming

21

18

South Carolina

21 (cruises only)

N/A

Tennessee

N/A

21

Texas

21

21

Utah

21

N/A

Vermont

21

N/A

Virginia

21

21

West Virginia

21

21

Wisconsin

21

21

Europe

In Europe, the legal age for online gambling depends on the country. For example, the legal age for gambling in the UK is 18, while some places require players to be 20 or even 21 years old. To help you know the rules for each country, we’ve provided details below so you can follow the local laws when betting or playing casino games.

Country

Casino Gambling

Sports Betting

Albania

18

18

Austria

18

18

Andorra

N/A

N/A

Belarus

21

21

Belgium

21

21

Bosnia and Herzegovina

N/A

N/A

Bulgaria

18

18

Croatia

18

18

Czech Republic

18

18

Denmark

18

N/A

Estonia

21

21

Faroe Islands

18

18

Finland

18

18

France

18

18

Germany

18

18

Gibraltar

18

18

Greece

23

23

Guernsey

18

18

Hungary

18

18

Iceland

18

18

Isle of Man

18

18

Italy

18

18

Kosovo

18

18

Latvia

18

18

Liechtenstein

18

18

Luxembourg

18

18

Malta

18 (25 for Maltese citizens)

18 (25 for Maltese citizens)

Moldova

18

18

Monaco

18

18

Montenegro

18

18

Netherlands

18

18

North Macedonia

18

18

Norway

18

18

Poland

18

18

Portugal

18 or 25 (depends on the casino)

18 or 25 (depends on the casino)

Romania

18

18

San Marino

18

18

Serbia

18

18

Slovakia

18

18

Slovenia

18

18

Spain

18

18

Sweden

18

18

Switzerland

18

18

Turkey

18

18

Ukraine

18

18

United Kingdom

18

18

Vatican City

N/A

N/A

Asia

Asia is a major hub for gambling, but what is the legal age for gambling here? In most Asian countries, the legal age is between 18 and 21 years old, though this can vary by location. Knowing these age rules is important for anyone wanting to enjoy gambling responsibly across the region, as they help keep the activity safe and well-regulated.

Country

Casino Gambling

Sports Betting

Laos

18

18

Lebanon

21

N/A

Macau

21

N/A

Malaysia

21

N/A

Maldives

Illegal

Illegal

Mongolia

21

21

Myanmar

18

18

Nepal

N/A

N/A

North Korea

Illegal

Illegal

Oman

Illegal

Illegal

Pakistan

Illegal

Illegal

Palestine

N/A

N/A

Philippines

21

21

Qatar

Illegal

Illegal

Saudi Arabia

Illegal

Illegal

Singapore

21

21

South Korea

19 (except for Kangwon Land Casino)

19

Sri Lanka

21

N/A

Syria

Illegal

Illegal

Taiwan

21

N/A

Tajikistan

Illegal

Illegal

Thailand

Illegal

Illegal

Timor-Leste

18

18

Turkmenistan

Illegal

Illegal

United Arab Emirates

Illegal

Illegal

Uzbekistan

Illegal

Illegal

Vietnam

N/A

N/A

Yemen

Illegal

Illegal

Laos

18

18

Lebanon

21

21

Macau

21

21

Malaysia

21

21

Maldives

Illegal

Illegal

Mongolia

N/A

N/A

Myanmar

18

18

Pakistan

Illegal

Illegal

Philippines

21

18

Qatar

Illegal

Illegal

Russia

18

18

Saudi Arabia

Illegal

Illegal

Singapore

21

18

South Korea

19

19

Syria

Illegal

Illegal

Tajikistan

18

18

Thailand

Illegal

Illegal

Turkey

18

18

UAE

Illegal

Illegal

Vietnam

Illegal

Illegal

Oceania

In Oceania, the legal age for gambling in Australia is usually 18 years old. New Zealand is a little different; you need to be 20 to enter casinos there. Papua New Guinea doesn’t have a clear legal age for gambling, while in the Federated States of Micronesia, the age limit changes by state. Gambling isn’t allowed at all in the Marshall Islands and Tokelau.

Discover the Top 9 Online Casinos in Australia you can't miss, recommended by CasinoMentor experts!

Canada

In Canada, the legal age for gambling is usually 19 years old, but this can change depending on the province. For example, in Quebec, Manitoba, and Alberta, you only need to be 18 years old. You should always check the age rules in your area to make sure you're following local laws.

Learn more about gambling in Canada in this article: The Legal Landscape of Online Gambling in Canada

Latin America

Latin America is seeing steady growth in online gambling, with more expected in the future. South America has 12 countries, and each one has its own gambling rules. The legal age for gambling in most of these countries is 18 years old.

Discover the most trusted casinos in South Africa here: Top Casinos in South Africa

Africa

In Africa, the legal age for gambling is usually 18 or 21, but in Nigeria, it is 20. You should know that gambling is illegal in countries like Algeria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, and Sudan. In places like Tunisia, South Sudan, and Equatorial Guinea, there is no set age limit for gambling.

FAQs

What’s the legal age for gambling?

The legal age for gambling depends on the country and type of gambling. It is usually 18 or 21.

What is the legal age for gambling in Florida?

The legal age for gambling in Florida is typically 18 for lottery and pari-mutuel betting, but you must be 21 to gamble at casinos.

What is the legal age for gambling in Nevada?

In Nevada, including Las Vegas, the legal age for all types of gambling is 21.

What is the legal age for gambling in California?

The legal gambling age in California is usually 18 for card rooms and certain tribal casinos, but many casinos require players to be 21.

What is the legal age for gambling in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, the legal gambling age is generally 18, but some casinos require players to be 21.

What is the legal age for gambling in Las Vegas?

The legal age for gambling in Las Vegas, Nevada, is 21.

What is the legal age for gambling in Australia?

In Australia, the legal age for all types of gambling is 18.

What is the legal age for gambling in the UK?

In the UK, the legal age for most forms of gambling is 18, although some lotteries and scratch cards are available to those 16 and older.

What are the legal gambling ages for online poker in California?

In California, the legal age for online poker is generally 18, though some platforms may require players to be 21. Always check the site’s age policy.

Published: 07 August 2024 11:18