Gambling age by state

The gambling age by state: the short answer

In most states the legal gambling age is 21 for casinos, online casinos and sports betting, and 18 for the lottery. But there's no single national rule. Each state writes its own, sometimes with different ages for different products in the same state, so a 19-year-old can buy a lottery ticket in one place and be turned away from a sportsbook in the same building.

The ages below come from state regulators and statutes where possible, with industry summaries filling some gaps and labeled as third-party. Where a cell says "Not confirmed", no official or reliable source confirmed that age as of October 28, 2026, so ask the regulator. Our state regulators page tells you who that is, and the US gambling laws hub covers the wider rules.

Being old enough doesn't make a product legal. Online casinos are licensed in only seven states, and the age rules on this page apply to the legal, state-regulated options.

Gambling age by state: full table

This table shows the minimum age for casino gambling, sports betting and the lottery in all 50 states and DC. The last column shows whether the age comes from an official source or a third-party summary.

Most of the third-party figures come from the American Gaming Association's State of the States 2026 (opens in a new tab), which lists a single statewide minimum age for several states. Treat those as reliable but secondary, and confirm with the state where it matters.

Online casino age in the states that license them

In the states that license real-money online casinos and publish an age, it's 21. Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection lists 21 for online casino play on its legal gaming in Connecticut page (opens in a new tab). Delaware's lottery-run online casino requires 21, as its iGaming page (opens in a new tab) explains. Michigan's Gaming Control Board sets 21 for an internet wagering account in its sports and internet betting FAQ (opens in a new tab).

See states with legal online casinos for how each market works, or go straight to the Michigan, Connecticut or Delaware hubs.

Sports betting age by state

Sports betting is 21 in nearly every state where the age is confirmed, including Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Vermont. Two exceptions stand out. New Hampshire's sports betting law, RSA 287-I (opens in a new tab), sets 18, and the District of Columbia's Office of Lottery and Gaming allows sports betting at 18.

Nevada's law is unusually clear: NRS Chapter 463 (opens in a new tab) prohibits gaming by anyone under 21, which covers both casinos and sportsbooks. Our sports betting laws page and the New Hampshire and District of Columbia hubs have more.

Lottery and daily fantasy age by state

Lotteries usually start at 18. The age is confirmed at 18 in California, Connecticut, DC, Georgia, Missouri, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Virginia and West Virginia. Alabama and Utah have no state lottery, and none was found for Nevada. Our guide to state lotteries online covers where you can buy tickets online.

Daily fantasy contests are a separate product with their own ages. Connecticut, Michigan and Ohio set 18, Kentucky's 2026 HB 904 sets 18 for its new licensing system, and Louisiana requires 21. See daily fantasy sports laws for the status in each state.

Is there a federal gambling age?

No. Federal laws such as the Wire Act and UIGEA target gambling businesses and payments, not player age. Age limits come from state statutes, regulator rules and, for tribal casinos, tribal-state compacts. North Carolina's Eastern Band of Cherokee casinos, for example, use 21 under a compact amended in 2001, as reported by a third-party source.

Congress has looked at age in the prediction market debate. The Prediction Markets Security and Integrity Act of 2026 (S. 4060) would set a 21+ minimum for prediction markets, and the GAME Act of 2026 (S. 4555) would bar targeted ads promoting sports gambling platforms to minors. The Congressional Research Service listed neither as enacted in August 2026. Our prediction markets page tracks those bills.

What age offshore casinos require

Offshore casinos set their own minimum ages in their terms, and they don't always match US state law. That doesn't change your state's law. If your state sets 21, a casino that accepts 18-year-olds doesn't make it lawful for an 18-year-old there to play.

Age checks happen through identity verification. Silver Oak's terms, for example, ask for government photo ID, a selfie with the ID and a recent utility bill, and block withdrawals until checks are complete. Read why the casino wants your documents and our guide to verifying your casino account.

How to check the gambling age where you live

1. Find your state in the table above and note the age for the product you want.
2. If it says "Not confirmed", go to your state regulator's website and look for an FAQ or responsible gaming page.
3. Check whether the age is different for online play, retail play, lottery or fantasy.
4. For tribal casinos, check the casino's own rules, since compacts can set the age.
5. If you're thinking about an offshore casino, read its terms for its minimum age and check your state's law on online casinos too.
6. Have valid government ID ready; licensed and offshore sites both ask for it before paying out.

Underage gambling and keeping young people safe

Age limits exist because younger people are more vulnerable to gambling harm. If you share devices with teenagers, blocking software helps. Gamban, for example, costs $6.99 a month or $41.99 a year with a 7-day free trial, and blocks gambling sites and apps. Our pages on young people and gambling and Gamban have more.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline on 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), any time. It's free and confidential.

Gambling age milestones timeline

Silver Oak and Planet 7: 21+ offshore offers

We show Silver Oak and Planet 7 on this page because they're the partners whose minimum age is 21: Silver Oak's own terms say 21 or the local legal age if higher, and third-party reviews report 21+ for Planet 7. Both are offshore casinos, not licensed or regulated by any US state. That means no state regulator to complain to, no state-backed protection of your balance and terms the casino sets. Check your state's law before you sign up.

Silver Oak Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Silver Oak's site advertises its own package, 100% on each of the first ten deposits up to $10,000. Its promotion page says 30x wagering (60x for blackjack and video poker) while its terms say 40x on slots and 60x on table games and video poker, so check which applies. Deposits start at $30, withdrawals are capped at $2,500 a week, and the promotion page says the offer has no maximum withdrawal. Its terms name Primrose Media Limited, licensed in Anjouan. The Michigan Gaming Control Board named Silver Oak on April 9, 2025.

Planet 7 Casino: $2,750 Welcome Bonus + 45 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Planet 7 doesn't publish its terms in full on the sources available, so these are third-party reports: a 200% match, 30x wagering on bonus plus deposit for slots, a $1,000 max cashout, a $30 card minimum ($5 by Lightning Bitcoin) and a $2,500 weekly withdrawal cap. Its license isn't shown on its site, and reviews report Costa Rica or none. Michigan named Planet 7 on April 9, 2025. The terms at sign-up apply.

Bonuses at both casinos are slot-focused, and table games are often excluded or weighted lower. The house edge applies while you wager, so losses are likely over time. We earn a commission through our links, and our order is commercial. Read the Silver Oak review and Planet 7 review first.

21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).