Gambling age FAQ

It depends on the state and the activity. For casino gambling, most states we track set 21. For sports betting, 15 set 21 and 5 set 18. State lotteries are generally 18.

Among the states we track, these set the sports-betting minimum at 18: Montana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., Wyoming. Most other states require 21. Always confirm with the state regulator, as rules change.

In the United Kingdom the minimum age is 18 for casino, sports betting and the National Lottery, under the Gambling Act 2005. See the United Kingdom overview.

Not always. Many states set casino and slots at 21, but the figure varies by state and by product. Check the casino age by state list for the sourced figure where it applies.

State and national lotteries are typically 18. A few US states set a higher minimum for some products; the age shown on each jurisdiction page is the one taken from the official source.

Yes — the legal minimum age is the same online and in person. The difference is that licensed online operators must verify your age and identity electronically (a process called KYC) before you can deposit or bet.

Some unlicensed offshore sites accept under-age or under-21 players, but doing so removes every consumer protection: there is no state or national regulator to complain to, payouts are not guaranteed, and you cannot use official self-exclusion. Frozen and seized balances are common. It is not a safe workaround.

Start with your state or national regulator, then cross-check the figure. Our per-state pages link straight to the regulator and the source for each product — browse ages & eligibility.

Self-exclusion lets you ask operators (or a national scheme) to bar you from gambling for a set period. It is a free harm-reduction tool. See the glossary and our help page.

Free, confidential support is available. Our help page lists helplines and self-exclusion registers by country. If you or someone else is at immediate risk, contact your local emergency services.