What Is the Legal Gambling Age in the United States

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Kevin Docherty
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Online gambling, which has a market value of more than $50 billion in recent years, is one of the most important ways that people interact with casinos today. Whether it’s a wise decision or not, an increasing number of people are betting their hard-earned money on various games of chance that can be played online, through mobile applications, or through other technological means of participation. 

On the other hand, many people are misinformed about how gambling laws operate in their respective jurisdictions. What is the legal gambling age, and what is not permitted? Is it a state law or one enacted by the federal government? 

You should no longer be confused. We are here to set the record straight on gambling, age restrictions at online casinos, and other related topics. 

First, consider the most important factors. 

Before we proceed, let’s make certain that everything is crystal clear. The best gambling advice you will ever receive is to never gamble if you are under the legal gambling age. The second piece of advice is to never bet more money than you can afford to lose, and never bet at all if you have a personality that predisposes you to addiction. 

If you bet when you are under the age of 21, you are gambling uninformed and will almost certainly lose your money. Worse, even if you manage to win, you won’t be able to collect your prize money because the company will need to check your identification at some point. 

Remember that your chances of winning big are dwarfed by the likelihood of losing much more. This holds true regardless of age. Take care not to squander your funds. 

Depending on the game, the minimum age to play is 

The legal gambling age in the United States of America is 21, the same as the legal drinking age. If you want to gamble at a casino, whether online or in person, you must be at least 21 years old in the vast majority of states in the United States. This holds true whether you want to play cards or roll dice. 

For whatever reason, this law does not apply in some states. Exceptions are possible. In these states, the legal drinking age is 18. You’re in luck if you’re at least 18 years old, live in the right state, and have enough money to spend on frivolous purchases. 

The majority of people in the United States, however, are required to wait until they are 21. We can only hope that this buys you enough time to find a job that pays well enough for you to set aside some money each month specifically for gambling at craps tables. 

However, it does not go any lower than that, so any blackjack prodigies under the age of 14 looking for the best online casinos to hone their skills will have to wait. 

You Let the Dice Roll on Certain Days 

If you want to gamble but aren’t old enough to do so legally in your state due to age restrictions, our condolences are extended to you. Simply be patient and give it time! If, on the other hand, you’re of legal drinking age and have an extra $20 lying around that you’d like to spend on a good night of poker, here’s hoping Lady Luck smiles on you tonight.