How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble?
Minimum gambling ages vary from one country to another, whether you play online or at a physical venue.
Many jurisdictions establish a minimum gambling age, commonly 18 or 21. Some set it at 25, while others prohibit online betting, casino gambling or both.
If you are travelling and are under 25, check the gambling rules at your destination. The minimum permitted age may differ from the rules where you usually gamble.
- Almost every country has a minimum gambling age
- The permitted gambling age varies between countries
- Many jurisdictions set the minimum age at 18 or 21
- Some places require gamblers to be at least 25
- Gambling may be prohibited in some countries or in certain states or regions
Do Land-Based and Online Casinos Have Different Age Limits?
In many jurisdictions, the same minimum age applies to online and in-person gambling. Rules may be organized by game type, with the same age limit applying whether you play online or offline.
Most online casinos request your date of birth during registration and refuse applications from underage players. Signing up in that situation would generally mean providing false information.
Local laws determine the age rules for land-based casinos. European requirements are set by each country; in the USA, state laws establish the minimum age to enter a gambling venue.
Some countries set the legal gambling age at 18, but casinos may choose to admit patrons only from age 21. The source describes this as common in the Caribbean.
- Online and land-based gambling often have the same age limit
- Online casinos ask applicants for their date of birth
- Land-based casinos have a minimum admission age
Do Age Limits Differ Between Gambling Games?
Licensing requirements may depend on the activity. Table games, slots, lotteries, scratch cards and sports betting may each be covered by separate licences, with different minimum ages for each.
For example, in the UK, people can play the National Lottery, join football pools or buy scratch cards from age 16, while casino games require players to be over 18. In the USA, permitted games and their age limits differ by state.
- Minimum ages may differ depending on the gambling activity
- In the USA, a type of gambling allowed in one state may be prohibited in another
What Is the Legal Gambling Age in Europe?
Nearly all European countries set the minimum age for online and land-based gambling at 18 across activities. The exceptions listed below are noted; in countries not listed, gambling requires participants to be at least 18.
United Kingdom: The minimum age depends on the activity. Private or non-commercial gaming and betting has no age limit. People must be at least 16 to play the National Lottery, buy scratch cards over the counter or join football pools. Arcade attractions such as coin pushers and teddy-grabber machines also require players to be at least 16. Other forms of gambling, online or at a venue, have a minimum age of 18.
Germany: The source reports a minimum age of 18 for nearly all gambling, with two exceptions: in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, the minimum age for a land-based casino is 21.
Belgium: Since 2017, the minimum age for gambling online or at a venue has been 21.
Greece: The source states that Greece’s legal gambling age is 23, regardless of a person’s origin.
Malta and Portugal: The source identifies 25 as the highest minimum gambling age in Malta and Portugal. It adds that tourists visiting Portugal may gamble from age 18.
Jersey: You must be over 21 to gamble in Jersey.
What Is the Legal Gambling Age in the USA?
Gambling rules in the USA are complex. Federal law is one part of the framework, and each state has its own rules. Requirements also vary by activity and from state to state.
A practical approach to gambling rules in the USA is to check each state individually. Land-based gambling is described as generally accepted throughout the country, while online gambling rules are more complex.
Before gambling in the US, check the rules for every state on your itinerary:
- Bingo and lotteries
- Online gambling
- Land-based casinos
- Poker, online or in person
- Dog and horse racing
- Sports betting in general
What Is the Legal Gambling Age in Canada?
Canada permits online gambling, though casinos may be restricted to specific areas. Minimum-age requirements also vary by jurisdiction.
The source states that the minimum age is 19 at most casinos, and 18 in Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba. It says these ages apply to online and land-based gambling. Lottery requirements differ: the stated minimum is 18, except in British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador and Nova Scotia, where it is 19.
What Is the Legal Gambling Age in Oceania?
New Zealand and Australia have different rules, and minimum ages may depend on the activity, as they do in the UK, Europe and the USA. Online casinos cannot be based in New Zealand or Australia, so residents use overseas servers that accept players aged 18 and over.
Australia: The minimum gambling age is 18 across activities, including casinos, lotteries and sportsbooks. The source also describes land-based casinos and betting halls, along with online lotteries and sportsbooks, as available to Australian residents.
New Zealand: The rules described for New Zealand depend on the activity. Casino gambling requires players to be 20, horse-race betting is permitted from age 18, and Instant Kiwi, operated by the New Zealand Lotteries Commission, requires participants to be 16.
Gambling Age FAQs
Who regulates the gaming industry?
Countries generally have their own gambling regulators, often created by government. These bodies set minimum ages for games and regulate gambling operators, including rules designed to prevent the promotion of underage play.
What happens if I gamble before reaching the legal age?
The consequences depend on the circumstances. If an online casino discovers that an account violates age rules, funds may be confiscated. An underage person found in a land-based casino may be removed from the premises.
What legal consequences might someone face for underage gambling?
Most countries do not impose direct legal consequences on underage gamblers, though the betting service provider may face difficulties. The source also says that using fake identification to open an online casino account or enter a casino could lead to fraud charges.
