Legal Age for Gambling in Different Countries
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.