Gambling Age by State In USA 2024

Gambling Age by State In USA 2024

Among the states with legal gambling for individuals under 21, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, South Carolina (limited to cruise ships), and Washington have set their minimum gambling age at 18. However, in Las Vegas, you must be at least 21 years old to gamble, as mandated by Nevada law.

In terms of the typical age of gamblers, the majority fall between 18 and 24 years old. This age group is more prone to engaging in risky gambling behavior due to ongoing brain development. Until around the age of 24 or 25, the brain’s emotional and logical faculties are still maturing, which can make it challenging for individuals to make sound decisions.

Nevada holds the distinction of having the most gamblers, earning its reputation as the gambling capital of the world, primarily because of Las Vegas. The allure of Las Vegas draws millions of visitors each year, exceeding 50 million, all seeking their fortunes and experiences in the city’s vast array of casinos. This statistic underscores the immense popularity and enduring appeal of Las Vegas as the premier destination for gambling enthusiasts worldwide.

Gambling Age by State In USA 2024
  1. The states where you can gamble at age 18 are Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, South Carolina (but only on cruise ships), and Washington.

  2. In Las Vegas, you have to be 21 or older to gamble, according to Nevada law.

  3. Most people who gamble are between 18 and 24 years old. This age group tends to take more risks because their brains are still developing, and they might not make the best decisions yet.

  4. Nevada has the most gamblers. It’s known as the gambling capital of the world, especially because of Las Vegas. Over 50 million people visit Nevada each year to try their luck at casinos.

Gambling Age by State In USA 2024

We want to find out which states allow people to start gambling at the youngest ages. We’ll look at the minimum ages needed for different types of gambling, like casinos, bingo, betting on dogs and horses, playing the lottery, betting on races, and poker rooms. Then, we’ll list the top 10 states where you can start gambling at a younger age.

Here are the top 10 states:

  1. Idaho: 18
  2. Georgia: 18
  3. Minnesota: 18
  4. Montana: 18
  5. Oklahoma: 18
  6. South Dakota: 18
  7. Washington: 18
  8. Oregon: 18
  9. Michigan: 21
  10. California: 21

Gambling Age by State In USA 2024

StateMinimum Age for CasinoMinimum Age for BingoMinimum Age for Dogs and HorseracingMinimum Age for LotteryMinimum Age for Pari-Mutuel BettingMinimum Age for Poker Rooms
CaliforniaVaries18181818Varies
MichiganVaries18181832 
Alabama211818 21 
Alaska2119    
Arizona211821212121
Arkansas211818181821
Colorado211818181821
Connecticut211818181821
Delaware2118181721 
Florida2118181818 
Hawaii2118181821 
Illinois211818181821
Indiana211818181821
Iowa212121212121
Kansas211818182121
Louisiana211818211821
Maine211618181821
Maryland211818181821
Massachusetts211818181821
Mississippi2118 18 21
Missouri211818181821
Nebraska211819191821
Nevada2121 21 21
New Hampshire211818182118
New Jersey211818181821
New Mexico21018181821
New York211818181821
North Carolina212818 21 
North Dakota211818181821
Ohio211618181821
Oregon211818181818
Pennsylvania211818181821
Rhode Island211818181821
South Carolina2118 1818 
Texas212118182121
Utah2118  21 
Vermont21   21 
Virginia21181818 18
West Virginia2118181821 
Wisconsin2118 182121
Wyoming211818181821
Georgia18181818 18
Idaho181818181818
Minnesota181818181818
Montana181818181818
Oklahoma181618181818
South Dakota18     
Washington181818181818
Gambling Age by State In USA 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I gamble at 18 in Vegas? Unfortunately, no. You must be at least 21 years old to gamble in Las Vegas or anywhere else in Nevada.

Can you gamble at 18 in California? While the legal gambling age in California is 18, many casinos restrict entry to individuals under 21 due to serving alcohol on-site.

Can you gamble at 18 anywhere in the US? The legal gambling age varies depending on the jurisdiction and type of gambling. Generally, the legal age for casino gambling and sports betting is 21, while activities like the lottery, daily fantasy sports, and horse betting often allow participants as young as 18. However, there are exceptions.

Can I gamble at 18 in Arizona? No, you must be 21 or older to gamble legally in Arizona, including participation in the state lottery. However, residents aged 18 and above can engage in some legally sanctioned online gambling sites within the state.

Source:

Scroll to Top