Sports Gambling Age
Minimum Age to Gamble in United States of America. Below you will find the minimum legal age to gamble in various locations around the U.S., Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. In the 50 American states, some times you'll see a variance, this usually is due to Indian casinos having different age requirements in their casinos than state regulated. The first rule of legal sports betting traveler should take into account is the legal age to bet on sports. The standard age to do so across the country is 21 years old or older. However, there are three states that allow people 18 years or older to put money on games.
For many new sports bettors, the minimum age requirement for legal sports betting is one of the single biggest concerns. Underage gambling is viewed as a major offense that can prompt heavy fines or even jail time for sports betting operators, so sportsbooks are extremely strict about who they allow to gamble. Federal law provides fairly extensive guidelines for most forms of gambling, but it has always left the specificity of legal gambling age requirements to individual states. International online sportsbooks are free to set their own limits, but domestic providers are subject to state age requirements.
Some states offer limited forms of gambling (bingo, charity games, etc.) starting well before the age of 18, but all states require that players be at least 18 years old to bet on sports. 35 states set their legal gambling age higher than 18, which is unfortunate for sports bettors. Thankfully, even in these states, legal sports betting is available to all players who are 18 years old as long as they use international online sportsbooks.
Use Sports Betting Sites When 18 To Bet On NFL
The Houston Texans have an incredibly rough opening couple weeks. Week 1, they played the Kansas City Chiefs and got demolished, and Week 2 they’re set to face off against the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans offense looked much worse without Deandre Hopkins, who got off to a great start in Arizona. They’ll have a lot to handle on that end facing off against the Baltimore defense, and the Texans defense showed no real ability to stop Patrick Mahomes, which makes them questionable against Lamar Jackson. This is an interesting game, but the Ravens are deserving favorites.
Sports Betting Ages By State
Each of the states with sports betting is different, but the legal sports betting age by state is almost always 21, while the legal lottery and pari-mutuel betting age is usually 18 (except for Alabama, where all gambling ages are 19 for some reason). The following age minimums for sports betting are what you should stick to, listed alphabetically by state. (Note: The states with an age range indicate areas where there is a different limit for commercial vs. tribal casino gaming and betting, and you can typically err on the side of the lower age.)
- Alabama Betting Age – 19
- Alaska Betting Age – 19
- Arizona Betting Age – 21
- Arkansas Betting Age – 21
- California Betting Age – 18-21
- Colorado Betting Age – 21
- Connecticut Betting Age – 21
- Delaware Betting Age – 21
- Florida Betting Age – 21
- Georgia Betting Age – 21
- Hawaii Betting Age – 18
- Idaho Betting Age – 21
- Illinois Betting Age – 21
- Indiana Betting Age – 21
- Iowa Betting Age – 21
- Kansas Betting Age – 21
- Kentucky Betting Age – 18
- Louisiana Betting Age – 21
- Maine Betting Age – 21
- Maryland Betting Age – 21
- Massachusetts Betting Age – 21
- Michigan Betting Age – 18-21
- Minnesota Betting Age – 18-21
- Mississippi Betting Age – 21
- Missouri Betting Age – 21
- Montana Betting Age – 18
- Nebraska Betting Age – 21
- Nevada Betting Age – 21
- New Hampshire Betting Age – 21
- New Jersey Betting Age – 21
- New Mexico Betting Age – 21
- New York Betting Age – 21
- North Carolina Betting Age – 21
- North Dakota Betting Age – 21
- Ohio Betting Age – 21
- Oklahoma Betting Age – 18-21
- Oregon Betting Age – 18-21
- Pennsylvania Betting Age – 21
- Rhode Island Betting Age – 18
- South Carolina Betting Age – 21
- South Dakota Betting Age – 21
- Tennessee Betting Age – 18
- Texas Betting Age – 21
- Utah Betting Age – 18
- Vermont Betting Age – 18
- Virginia Betting Age – 18
- Washington Betting Age – 18-21
- West Virginia Betting Age – 21
- Wisconsin Betting Age – 21
- Wyoming Betting Age – 18
Legal Sports Betting Age At Land-Based Sportsbooks
Sports Gambling In Pennsylvania Age
Generally speaking, the legal sports betting age at land-based sportsbooks is 21 years old. Now that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA, 1992) has been overturned, each state is allowed to set its own age minimums for its own sports wagering industry. Most states have chosen 21, as this aligns well with their existing gambling policies at the venues where new sports betting lounges are opening. In some ways, it’s silly to sort out any legal sports betting age by state, as almost all of them seem to be in agreement on this one point (and only this one point, truth be told).
The caveat here comes when the entirety of a state’s gambling market is tribal in nature, with casinos located totally on sovereign tribal land (i.e. reservations). In these states, there are often added challenges to getting new sports betting laws passed, as the tribes tend to have sweeping exclusivity deals as part of their state compacts. It is conceivable that in such states, where sports wagering is limited to tribal venues, that the sports betting age would be 18, in line with most pari-mutuel and lottery age minimums nationwide.
Legal Sports Betting Age At Online Sportsbooks
The legal sports betting age at online sportsbooks can be different depending on where you live. For example, Rhode Island, Oregon, and New Hampshire only require people who are using online sportsbooks to be 18 years old or older. However, in places such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, you have to be 21 years old or older in order to use legal sports betting sites. A general rule of thumb to follow is to check your state’s casino gambling laws as those are the ones usually used to define the required sports betting age.
When it comes to using online offshore sportsbooks, those sites usually require users to be 18 years old or older. However, if your state’s sports betting laws require bettors to be 21 years old or older than you will have to follow that guideline before using offshore options. This will ensure that you are totally safe when using these sites, otherwise, you may run the risk of running into trouble down the line. These offshore sites take underage gambling very seriously and those that are caught betting as a minor will have their winnings confiscated and their account terminated.
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Betting Age To Bet On College Football
When it comes to betting on your favorite college team, online sportsbooks will have all the games that players would like to choose and bet from. There are plenty of prop bets that you can choose and most of the time these games are close and could turn out to help players win a lot of money. The age requirement is one thing that is very important and when it comes to online sportsbooks, all players have to be is 18 and older to sign up. So as exciting as it is to bet on your favorite college football team, make sure you’re old enough to place big wagers.
Betting Age To Bet On Basketball
With the NBA Season starts just weeks away, knowing the legal NBA betting age in your state is incredibly important. While it varies from state to state, most states requiring bettors to be at least 21 years old or older in order to wager, knowing the legal gambling age is a great way to be fully prepared to go into the NBA season. International sportsbooks operate legally in every state, even those that have yet to regulate legal sports betting in their legislations. With online sportsbooks, you can bet on your favorite NBA team by being at least 18 years old. Underage sports betting is prohibited and bettors who attempt to bet on the NBA while not being old enough could run into some trouble. It is important to know the legal age to bet on the NBA in your state before you try and wager.
Age To Bet On MLB Baseball
All American players must be at least 18 years old to bet on MLB baseball games, while bettors in some states have to be at least 21 years old to bet with state-licensed sportsbooks. With the coronavirus limiting the capability of most brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, most MLB betting will take place online during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. You will be required to provide proof of valid, government-issued ID before you can withdraw winnings from betting on baseball.
The Risk Of Underage Sports Betting
Underage gambling is strictly prohibited, and the act of such can result in real legal troubles. This is why knowing and understanding your state’s gambling laws is incredibly important. If you are caught attempting to bet on sports while under the required betting age by your state, then you run the risk of being permanently banned from the sportsbook, fined by the courts, or legally persecuted. Illegal gambling of any kind can result in misdemeanor or even felony charges. It Is an unnecessary risk to take place in underage gambling as the negatives are life-altering. Waiting until you are in the legal gambling age in your state is the best way to go.
Legal Horse Betting Age
The legal horse betting age is the same as it is for sports betting on the list above. Horse betting is one of the reasons that legal gambling ages exist in the first place, so it is no wonder that they use the same laws as casinos and sportsbooks. Overall, if you are 21 then you can bet on horses and are old enough to bet on sports anywhere in the world. If you are over 18, then you are only old enough to bet on horses in these states.
Alabama – California – Hawaii – Kentucky – Michigan – Montana – Oklahoma – Oregon – Rhode Island – Tennessee – Utah – Vermont – Virginia – Washigton – Wyoming
Why Is There A Minimum Age Limit To Bet On Sports?
When it comes to betting on sports inside of a casino sportsbook, there is often an age restriction because the sportsbook will serve alcohol on the premises. In order for the casino to keep their liquor license and comply with the federal law, everyone in their building must be 21 or older. Certain states, such as Rhode Island, have sportsbooks that accept bettors as young as 18 because the sports betting laws will allow them to. When it comes to betting on sports online most of the sites in the US will set their age restriction according to the state that they are based in. When using on offshore sports betting site, most of them will set their minimum age at 18 because that is the legal age to gamble in the country that they are based in.
How Do I Verify My Age To A Sportsbook?
With both land-based and online sportsbooks, you will need to provide legal documentation that shows you are legally old enough to bet on sports. This can be a standard government-issued ID. It is also a requirement at international sportsbooks, with online sports betting operations requiring ID in order to prevent you from making multiple accounts as well as ensuring they are sending the payments to the correct person. It is not a difficult process to prove your age at sportsbooks and if you are looking to bet on sports you must have documentation proving your age.
Is There An Age Limit To Go Inside Of A Sportsbook?
Yes, and as of right now, almost every legal land-based sportsbook in the US requires anyone trying to enter the venue to be 21 or older. Only Rhode Island, New York, and Montana will allow bettors as young as 18 to enter their sportsbook. Some casinos have their own betting apps or post their odds on their website so you can view lines from there, but in order to physically enter the casino or racino you must meet their age requirement.
Will I Get In Trouble If I Am Sports Betting Underage?
Where Can I Bet On Sports Under 21?
As of right now, your only land-based options would be in Rhode Island and New York. Once Montana launches their sports betting operations those would become an option as well. The same goes for sports betting in New Hampshire. Oregon will let those 18 years old or older to use the lottery’s mobile sportsbook known as Scoreboard. Some states that are working on sports betting legislation are aiming to set the legal gambling age at 18 as well. We will update you as soon as we have confirmation on which states do so. Online offshore sportsbooks will normally accept members 18 or older, but it is best to comply with the age requirement set by your state. If you take a look at the list above, we have laid out which states you can start online sports betting under the age of 21.
What Is The Legal Age For Horse Betting?
Most states have set the legal age for horse race betting at 18 or older. This includes betting on live races and simulcast races. However, there are a handful of states, such as Arizona, that require pari-mutuel bettors to be 21 or older. There are even some states that say you have to be 19 or older to bet on the ponies, so be sure to check your state laws. Most online racebooks will require their users to be at least 18 or older in order to bet on the races.
Which Online Sportsbooks And Betting Apps Do Not Check Age?
What Is The Legal Betting Age At Bovada?
Bovada only requires that users be at least 18 years old, no matter what state they might live in. But, Bovada does not accept any players from Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, New York or Nevada. Players in all other states should still consult the betting age in their state and know if their age limit is higher. Though it is good to understand your local betting age, there has not been any reports of a single person arrested for underage gambling online. There are, however, consequences for someone who fails to meet minimum betting ages at Bovada or any other online sportsbook.
How to bet legally in North Carolina
Last year, North Carolina took the first step towards legalizing betting throughout the state. The North Carolina House passed Bill 154 legalizing sports betting and horse race wagering at tribal casinos throughout the state. There are no state laws that prohibit residents from betting on sports at the local tribal casinos. However, all types of online betting must be restricted to daily fantasy sports and online lottery games. There are no online poker or online casino games allowed, either. If you wish to place sports wagers on games, you can visit one of the two tribal casinos in the state to place sports bets on or partake in casino games. All casinos in North Carolina are operated by Harrah’s and located on the western border in Cherokee and Murphy counties, away from the crowded urban areas. The Harrah’s Cherokee Casino is located just west of Asheville near Maggie Valley, while the Harrah’s River Casino in Murphy is near the Georgia and Tennessee borders.
North Carolina Betting Laws
In July 2019, the state legalized sports betting and bettors are now allowed to place bets in state-licensed casinos. Betting on professional and collegiate sports is completely legal at these sites. All sportsbooks located at the Harrah’s casinos are regulated by the state of North Carolina. However, mobile online betting has not been authorized or regulated yet. According to North Carolina law, you must 21 years of age and older. Betting sites will allow users to register an account as young as 18; however, state laws restrict you from placing a bet unless you’re 21.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily Fantasy sports betting is completely legal in North Carolina, although gaming has not yet been officially regulated by lawmakers. Discussion on regulations for daily fantasy sports is still being held in the state House. The most popular fantasy sports sites used in North Carolina are DraftKings and FanDuel.
Mobile Sports Betting (Not Live Yet)
The Next Step
Thirteen states currently have laws in place that allow sports gambling statewide. North Carolina is one of eight states that have a written bill in place to legalize all forms of sports gambling, most notably online. Currently, the bill in place only allows for sports gambling at the tribal casinos. However, that bill has not yet been passed by the state House and there is no timetable as to when this bill will be passed. As mentioned above, North Carolina is also in the process of regulating daily fantasy sports. However, this regulation will likely come a tax on residents placing bets on DFS.
If North Carolina successfully passes the bill to legalize all forms of sports gambling, the next step in the process would be to find licensed sportsbooks that could serve as legal online sports apps for North Carolina residents. FanDuel would likely be one as it has become very popular in states that have legalized online sports gambling. Harrah’s would also certainly be another given it is already installed in the tribal casinos. The state would also look at adding casinos throughout the state with different sportsbooks attached to each one which could be bet on at the casinos or through mobile devices. Once the law is passed, it will take some time to install the software and set up licensed sportsbooks for residents to use. This could take anywhere from a few months to a year, as other states have illustrated.
Legislative History and Revenue in North Carolina
Gambling laws in North Carolina actually go all the way back to the 1700s when all forms of gambling were eventually outlawed after legislative bills prior to 1791 limited wagering in the state. Since 1791, it has been seen as one of the stricter states against gambling, which makes their first steps into legalizing sports betting a big one. In 1945, laws permitting bingo were adopted and state lotteries have been in place as a way to add revenue for the state for over 100 years now. In fact, the state makes between $1.5 billion and $1.9 billion of revenue every year with the state lottery.
The Harrah’s Cherokee casino was authorized to begin offering table games in August 2012 and it was also authorized to build a second tribal casino that has been operating since 2015. Parimutuels betting was allowed beginning in the 1940s, but in 1954, it was outlawed and banned. All dog tracks in North Carolina were closed down. After the U.S. Supreme Court authorized all forms of gambling to be allowed to be drafted into state constitutions, North Carolina has begun taking steps towards adding new laws permitting gambling. In July 2019, sports gambling at tribal casinos became legal and legislation has been drawn up to legalize it in all forms, although that measure has not yet been passed.
Sports Gambling Age By State
North Carolina’s gaming casinos hit a revenue of $393 million in the last year. Currently, the Eastern Band of Cherokee is the only brand allowed to offer Class III gaming in the state. The Tribal Gaming Commission is responsible for all regulations and gaming activities on their lands. Recently, the state and the Eastern Band came to an agreement where the Eastern Band would share some of their revenue with the state. According to the agreement, the state will receive state revenue from new games as well as live table games that operate at the casinos with live dealers. Between 2017 and 2021, 5% of gross gaming revenue will go to the state. That will increase by 1% every four years moving forward. North Carolina currently has 4,400 gaming machines available for use. Some of the games available for use include BlackJack, Craps, Roulette, Bingo, Video Poker, Slot Machines, Mississippi Stud, and Let It Ride. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino generates 8% of all wages and 5% of all state jobs between the two casinos.
Next Legislative Meeting
North Carolina legislators will meet in April 2020 to discuss all legislation on the table and gambling will almost certainly be a hot topic, especially with other states moving towards ratifying it. However, the legislative session ends in July, so if nothing is agreed to in that three-month window, online sports betting will likely be put on hold until 2021. Given North Carolina’s history of being strict on gambling, it’s still a tall task despite the sports betting authorization at the tribal casinos. In a best-case scenario, legislation is adopted and agreed to sometime in the middle of 2020 and software is installed and ready for use by the beginning of 2021.