How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble Around the World?

Gambling is a popular activity around the world, but not everyone is allowed to do it. That’s because each country, and sometimes each state, has its own laws about how old you have to be to gamble. Some places let you play at 18, others make you wait until 21. And when it comes to gambling online, the rules can be even more confusing.

We’ll also include helpful tables and quick answers to common questions. So whether you’re planning a trip to Vegas, playing online, or just curious about the rules in your country, this guide has you covered.

Table of Contents

 

Why Is There a Legal Gambling Age?

You might wonder: why does there even need to be a gambling age?

The simple answer is to protect young people. Gambling is exciting, but it also involves money and risk. Laws about the gambling age help make sure players are mature enough to handle those risks. Just like with alcohol or driving, governments set an age limit to keep things safe and fair.

Most countries agree that 18 is the right age to start gambling. Others, like the U.S., often raise it to 21, especially in casinos. And when it comes to gambling online, age limits can be even stricter, because companies have to follow international rules and verify who’s playing.

So when you ask, “How old do you have to be to gamble?”, the real answer is: it depends where you are, and what type of gambling you’re doing.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble Online?

In countries like the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, and most of the European Union, the legal age to gamble online is 18, and operators are required by law to perform identity checks before allowing you to deposit or play. 

In the United States, only certain states like New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut allow legal online gambling, and you must be 21 or older to sign up and play. 

Licensed online casinos use tools like age verification software, government ID checks, and even address matching to block access to anyone underage. These strict rules are part of national gambling laws and are enforced by regulators like the UK Gambling Commission or state gaming boards in the U.S.

United States Gambling Laws – How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in the USA?

In the United States, there’s no single answer to the question, "How old do you have to be to gamble?" That’s because gambling laws are different in every state. Most states say you have to be 21 years old to gamble in a casino. But some allow gambling at 18, especially for things like lotteries, bingo, or betting at tribal casinos.

To make things clearer, let’s break it down:

Casino Gambling Age in the U.S.

• 21 is the most common age for casino games like slots, blackjack, and roulette.
• But a few states, like Oklahoma and Minnesota, allow casino-style gambling at 18, especially on Native American land.

Can You Gamble at 18 in the U.S.?

Yes, but only in certain places. For example:

• California: Tribal casinos often let you play at 18.
• Florida: You can bet on sports at 18, but you need to be 21 for casinos.
• Georgia: You can gamble at 18, but only on cruise ships.

These rules can get tricky, so it’s always smart to check the gambling laws in your state before you play.

U.S. Gambling Age Table – State by State

Here’s a quick look at how old you need to be to gamble in different U.S. states. This covers casino games and sports betting:

State	Traditional & Online Casino	Sports Betting
Alabama	21	/
Alaska	21	/
Arizona	21	21
Arkansas	21	21
California	18	/
Colorado	21	21
Connecticut	21	21
Delaware	21	21
Florida	21	18
Georgia	18 (cruises only)	/
Hawaii	21	/
Idaho	18	/
Illinois	21	21
Indiana	21	21
Iowa	21	21
Kansas	21	/
Kentucky	/	/
Louisiana	21	21
Maine	21	/
Maryland	21	21
Massachusetts	21	18
Michigan	18/21	18
Minnesota	18	18
Mississippi	21	18
Missouri	21	18
Montana	18	18
Nebraska	21	18
Nevada	21	21
New Hampshire	21	21
New Jersey	21	18
New Mexico	21	18
New York	21	18
North Carolina	21	21
North Dakota	21	21
Ohio	21	/
Oklahoma	18	/
Oregon	21	21
Pennsylvania	21	21
Rhode Island	21	21
South Dakota	18 at Indian Casinos	21
South Carolina	21 (cruises only)	/
Tennessee	/	21
Texas	21	21
Utah	21	/
Vermont	21	/
Virginia	21	21
Washington	18	21
West Virginia	21	21
Wisconsin	21	21
Wyoming	21	18

Tip: If you’re asking “What casinos can you gamble at 18?” – look into tribal casinos in states like California, Minnesota, or Oklahoma.

How Old to Gamble in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas is one of the most famous gambling cities in the world, but it has strict rules. To gamble at any Las Vegas casino, you must be 21 years old, no exceptions.

Even if you’re just shy of 21, you won’t be allowed to play. Casino staff take this very seriously, and they’ll check your ID before you sit down at a table or machine.

Europe Gambling Age Laws – How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in Europe?

In most parts of Europe, the legal gambling age is 18 years old. That includes both in-person casinos and online gambling websites. So if you’re 18, you can usually place bets, spin slots, or play poker legally in many European countries.

But there are a few exceptions, and it's important to know them before you play.

Standard Gambling Age in Europe

Most European countries have clear laws:

• France, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Netherlands – You must be 18 to gamble in a casino or online.
• United Kingdom – You must be 18 to gamble anywhere, including online and in person.
• Finland, Denmark, Serbia,  Austria, and Poland – All allow gambling at 18.
• Malta – Legal gambling age is 18, but for Maltese citizens, some casinos may require you to be 25.

Where the Age is Higher

A few countries set the minimum age at 21 or above:

• Belgium – 21 for both casino and online gambling
• Estonia – 21
• Greece – 23
• Belarus – 21

Europe Gambling Age Table (Casino Games vs Sports Betting)

Here’s a simple chart to show how old you have to be to gamble in different European countries:

European Country	Traditional & Online Casino	Sports Betting
Albania	18	18
Austria	18	18
Andorra	/	/
Belarus	21	21
Belgium	21	21
Bosnia and Herzegovina	/	/
Bulgaria	18	18
Croatia	18	18
Czech Republic	18	18
Denmark	18	/
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
Ireland	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	/

Tip: In most of Europe, you can gamble at 18, but always double-check if you're traveling, rules can change by country and even by region.

Online Casino Gambling in Europe

Europe takes online gambling seriously. Many countries have national gambling authorities that license and regulate websites. To gamble online in Europe, you usually have to:

• Be 18 or older
• Verify your identity with documents (passport, national ID, etc.)
• Use a local or legal gambling site

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble by Province in Canada?

If you’re in Canada, the legal gambling age depends on which province or territory you’re in. Unlike some countries with one rule for everyone, Canada lets each province decide the minimum age for gambling.

In most places, you need to be 19 years old to gamble. But a few provinces let you start at 18.

Where You Can Gamble at 18 in Canada

If you’re asking, "Can you gamble at 18 in Canada?", here’s where the answer is yes:

• Alberta
• Manitoba
• Quebec

These provinces allow both in-person casino gambling and online gambling at 18 years old.

So if you’re living in one of these provinces, or visiting, you can legally play at casinos or online betting sites once you turn 18.

In the Rest of Canada, You Must Be 19

In all other provinces, including:

• Ontario
• British Columbia
• Nova Scotia
• Saskatchewan
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island

What About Online Gambling in Canada?

Most provinces run their own legal online gambling websites. If you live in one of these provinces, you can sign up as long as you meet the local age requirement: 18 or 19, depending on where you are.

Always use legal and licensed sites. If a website doesn’t ask for ID, it’s probably not approved by your province.

Province/Territory	Legal Gambling Age
Alberta	18
Manitoba	18
Quebec	18
All other provinces	19

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in Asia?

Asia is a big and diverse continent, and the rules around gambling change a lot from one country to another. In some places, gambling is completely legal and very popular. In others, it’s banned or only allowed for tourists.

So when you ask, “How old do you have to be to gamble in Asia?”, the answer really depends on where you are.

Countries Where Gambling is Legal

In most Asian countries that allow gambling, the legal age is between 18 and 21. Here are some common examples:

Here is the copyable table for gambling ages across Asian countries:

Country	Traditional & Online Casino	Sports Betting
Akrotiri and Dhekelia	18	18
Afghanistan	Illegal	Illegal
Armenia	21	21
Azerbaijan	18	18
Bahrain	Illegal	Illegal
Bangladesh	/	/
British Indian Ocean Territory	18	18
Brunei Darussalam	Illegal	Illegal
Cambodia	/	/
China	Illegal (except for lotteries)	Illegal
Christmas Island	18	18
Cocos (Keeling) Islands	18	18
Cyprus	18	18
Georgia	18	18
Hong Kong	18	18
Iran	Illegal	Illegal
India	21	21
Indonesia	Illegal	Illegal
Israel	18	18
Japan	20	20
Kyrgyzstan	18	18
Laos	18	18
Lebanon	21	21
Macau	21	21
Malaysia	21	21
Maldives	Illegal	Illegal
Mongolia	/	/
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	21	21

So in places like Macau, Singapore, and the Philippines, you need to be 21 to enter a casino, even if you’re just watching.

Countries Where Gambling is Illegal

Some countries in Asia have banned gambling completely, often for religious or cultural reasons. These include:

• Afghanistan
• Brunei
• Saudi Arabia
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Iran
• Qatar

If you’re in one of these countries, even online gambling is not allowed. Trying to play can get you into legal trouble.

Special Cases

• China: Gambling is illegal in most of the country, but you can play the lottery or visit Macau, where casinos are legal.
• India: Gambling laws vary by state. Some allow it, others don’t. Goa and Sikkim have legal casinos.
• South Korea: Locals can only gamble at one casino (Kangwon Land). Others are for tourists only.

Online Gambling in Asia

Most Asian countries don’t have local online casinos. However, many people still gamble online using foreign websites, especially in places where the rules are unclear.

But here’s the catch: licensed online casinos usually block access to players from countries where gambling is banned or restricted. And even if a site lets you register, you still have to be 18 or older, and show ID.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in Latin America?

In Latin America, gambling is becoming more popular every year. Many countries in this region are updating their laws to allow casinos, sports betting, and even online gambling. But what about the age limit?

In most Latin American countries, the legal gambling age is 18 years old.

Where You Can Gamble at 18

If you’re in South America or Central America, chances are you can gamble once you turn 18. Here are some countries where the legal age is 18 for both casino games and sports betting:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Mexico
• Peru
• Uruguay
• Ecuador
• Panama
• Costa Rica
• Paraguay

In these places, land-based casinos, lotteries, and sports betting are usually allowed for players who are 18 or older.

Online Gambling in Latin America

Online gambling is growing fast in Latin America. Countries like Colombia and Brazil are leading the way in regulating legal online betting platforms.

• In Colombia, online gambling is fully legal and regulated. You must be 18 or older and pass age verification checks.
• Brazil legalized sports betting and is working on full online casino laws. The legal age is 18.
• In Mexico, online gambling is available through licensed operators, also with a minimum age of 18.

Just like in other parts of the world, most online casinos will ask you to prove your age with ID. This is to follow the law and keep underage players out.

Places with No Clear Rules

Some smaller countries in Latin America may not have strong laws yet around gambling, especially online. That doesn’t mean it’s legal; it just means the rules aren’t clear. It’s always better to use trusted, licensed sites based in countries with proper gambling laws.

Oceania Gambling Age Laws – Australia, New Zealand, and More

In Oceania, gambling is legal in most places, and people take it seriously, especially in countries like Australia and New Zealand, where it's a common part of entertainment.

If you're wondering, "How old do you have to be to gamble in Oceania?", the answer is usually 18 years old, with a few small exceptions.

Australia – Gambling Age is 18

In Australia, the rules are clear:

• You must be 18 years old or older to gamble.
• This includes casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and online gambling.

Each state has its own gaming authority, but the age limit stays the same across the country.

Whether you’re placing a sports bet, buying a scratch card, or playing poker at a casino, 18 is the legal minimum.

New Zealand – A Slight Difference

New Zealand is almost the same, but with one twist:

• Casinos: You must be 20 years old to enter or play in a casino.
• Other gambling (like lotteries, online sports betting, and TAB betting): Allowed from 18 years old.

So if you’re 18 or 19, you can gamble online or place bets, but you can’t walk into a casino just yet.

Smaller Islands and Territories

Some parts of Oceania have their own rules or no clear gambling laws at all. For example:

Location	Gambling Age
Papua New Guinea	No set age (varies by region)
Micronesia	Depends on the state
Marshall Islands	Gambling is illegal
Tokelau	Gambling is illegal
New Caledonia, Fiji, Samoa	Typically 18+ (check local laws)

In areas where gambling is illegal, including both land-based and online gambling. Even if websites let you sign up, it could still be breaking the law.

Online Gambling in Oceania

• Australia: Online gambling is legal but only through licensed providers. You must be 18 or older.
• New Zealand: The government allows online gambling for sports through official providers like the Lotto NZ website and TAB NZ.

Just like other countries, age verification is required, and sites must follow strict rules to block underage players.

Africa – Gambling Age Laws by Country

In Africa, gambling is legal in many countries, especially where tourism is strong. But like other regions, the legal age to gamble can vary depending on local laws.

Most countries set the minimum gambling age at 18 or 21. However, in some parts of Africa, gambling is completely banned, especially in places with strong religious laws.

So when you ask, "How old do you have to be to gamble in Africa?" — the answer depends on which country you’re in.

Where You Can Gamble at 18

In many African countries, the legal gambling age is 18, and gambling is allowed and regulated. This includes:

• South Africa
• Kenya
• Ghana
• Zambia
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Zimbabwe
  

In these countries, you can legally:

• Play casino games
• Bet on sports
• Buy lottery tickets
• Play at online casinos (where allowed)

You still need to show ID and prove you’re 18 or older to play legally, whether online or in person.

Countries With Higher or Different Age Limits

• Nigeria: The legal gambling age is 20, one of the few countries in the world with that specific limit.
• Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt: Usually allow gambling for 18+, especially for tourists.

Countries Where Gambling is Illegal

In several African nations, gambling is banned due to religious or cultural reasons. These include:

• Sudan
• Somalia
• Eritrea
• Libya
• Mauritania
• Algeria

In these countries, land-based and online gambling are illegal. There are no legal casinos, and licensed online gambling sites won’t operate there.

No Clear Rules or Unknown Age Limit

Some African countries don’t clearly state a legal gambling age, or the laws are not well-enforced. These include:

• Equatorial Guinea
• South Sudan
• Gabon
• Guinea-Bissau

In these areas, it’s best to avoid gambling altogether unless you have verified information from a trusted legal source.

Online Gambling in Africa

Online gambling is growing across the continent, especially in:

• South Africa
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Ghana

In all of these countries, you must meet the local age requirement (usually 18 or 20) and provide proof of age when registering online.

FAQs

Is gambling 18 or 21?

It depends on where you are. In many countries and some U.S. states, the legal gambling age is 18. But in most U.S. casinos, especially in places like Las Vegas, you need to be 21. Always check your local law.

Can an 18-year-old play in a casino?

In some places. For example, tribal casinos in California and Oklahoma often allow 18-year-olds. But in many states and countries, you must be 21 to play casino games.

Can you sports bet at 18?

In some states and countries, yes. Places like Montana, New Jersey (online), and many European countries allow sports betting at 18. Others, like Nevada, require you to be 21.

Is it legal to gamble under 18?

Gambling under the age of 18 is illegal in almost all countries. Even online casinos must verify your age and will block underage players.

Can a 16-year-old bet?

At 16, you're still too young to legally gamble anywhere. Even buying lottery tickets or placing a small sports bet is not allowed in most places.

Can a 13-year-old go to a casino?

A 13-year-old may be allowed to walk through some casinos with an adult, but they’re not allowed to play any games or be near gambling areas. Some casinos won’t let anyone under 21 inside at all.

Why is gambling illegal?

Some countries ban gambling because of religious beliefs, risk of addiction, or to protect young people and families. Even where it's legal, it's usually regulated to keep it safe and fair.

Can you walk in a casino under 21?

In many U.S. casinos, no. If you’re under 21, you may not be allowed inside at all. Some casinos let minors walk through with an adult, but they can’t stop or stay in gambling areas.