Reference
Legal gambling age by state
Compare minimum ages by activity across all 50 states. The original dataset is from July 2026, with dated corrections linked below. Most casino entries say 21, most lotteries say 18, and online casinos are 21 wherever they are legal. A dash means the product is not legal in that state under the sources listed below.
Baseline July 2026; dated corrections below · page last reviewed 2026-09-14
Looking for what you can actually play where you are? Use What’s Legal for your own state, or sweepstakes casino laws by state.
Quick answer
There is no single national age. Each state sets its own, and it varies by product. Of the 44 states with casino entries, 38 list 21+ and 6 list 18+. Venue and tribal rules can differ. The lottery is 18+ in 41 of the 46 states that run one. Online casinos are 21+ in every one of the 7 states that allow them, as of September 2026 (July baseline with dated corrections).
Minimum age by state and product
Explore the states
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Gold marks your selection, not legal status. Alaska and Hawaii are shown as insets.
50 of 50 states
Casino: minimum age by state
| State | Casino | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 21+ | Class II tribal electronic bingo; charity gaming often 18+; no state lottery. |
| Alaska | 21+ | Chin'an Gaming Hall is a Class II tribal facility for guests 21+. Its electronic gaming does not include Class III table games. Check the venue rules; the casino entry is not statewide commercial-casino authorization. |
| Arizona | 21+ | Tribal casinos 21+; many bingo halls and lottery products available from 18. |
| Arkansas | 21+ | Commercial casinos and on-site sports betting 21+; lottery products usually 18+. |
| California | 21+ | Some tribal casinos are 18+; many properties require 21 if alcohol is served on gaming floor. Casinos and poker rooms 18-21 depending on the establishment. |
| Colorado | 21+ | Mountain town casinos and retail or online sports betting 21+. |
| Connecticut | 21+ | Tribal casinos and retail or online sports betting 21+; lottery and keno typically 18+. |
| Delaware | 21+ | Casino gaming and sports betting 21+; state lottery and racing products usually 18+. |
| Florida | 21+ | Seminole tribal casinos and online sports betting 21+; some poker rooms operate at 18+. |
| Georgia | Not allowed | No land-based casinos; lottery and charitable games generally 18+. Casino age of 18 applies only to cruises. |
| Hawaii | Not allowed | No legal casinos, lottery, or sports betting; all regulated gambling is prohibited. |
| Idaho | 18+ | Coeur d’Alene Casino admits guests 18+. Check the particular tribal venue before visiting. |
| Illinois | 21+ | Riverboat and casino resorts and sports betting 21+; lottery and video gaming often 18+. |
| Indiana | 21+ | Riverboats or racinos and sports betting 21+; lottery products typically 18+. |
| Iowa | 21+ | Commercial and tribal casinos 21+; pari-mutuel and lottery games usually 21 as well. |
| Kansas | 21+ | State-owned casinos and tribal venues 21+; racing and lottery products commonly 18+. |
| Kentucky | Not allowed | No commercial or tribal casinos; lottery and pari-mutuel wagering generally 18+. |
| Louisiana | 21+ | Riverboats, land-based casinos, and sports betting 21+; lottery products often 21+. |
| Maine | 21+ | Commercial casinos and sports betting 21+; lottery and some charitable games 18+. |
| Maryland | 21+ | Casino gaming and mobile sports betting 21+; lottery and keno usually 18+. |
| Massachusetts | 21+ | Casino resorts and sports betting 21+; lottery products typically 18+. |
| Michigan | 21+ | Detroit commercial casinos 21+ (Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, PA 69); some tribal casinos accept 18+; lottery 18+. |
| Minnesota | 18+ | Tribal compact minimum is 18 for casino gaming; check individual venue rules. Alcohol remains 21+. |
| Mississippi | 21+ | Riverboat or resort casinos and sports betting 21+. Sports betting apps only work on licensed casino property; the state lottery uses 21+. |
| Missouri | 21+ | Riverboat casinos and on-site sportsbooks 21+; lottery games usually 18+. |
| Montana | 18+ | Video gaming, tribal casinos, and sports pools typically 18+. The Sports Bet Montana app only takes bets inside licensed venues. |
| Nebraska | 21+ | Licensed racetrack casino gaming is 21+. Keno in a separate area can admit 19+ players under the Racetrack Gaming Act. |
| Nevada | 21+ | Universal 21+ rule for casinos and sportsbooks; no state lottery. |
| New Hampshire | 21+ | Charitable casino-style venues generally 21+; lottery and sports betting 18+. |
| New Jersey | 21+ | Atlantic City casinos and online casinos or sportsbooks 21+; lottery products 18+. |
| New Mexico | 21+ | Tribal casinos 21+; some racetrack venues and bingo halls accept 18+. |
| New York | 21+ | Commercial casinos, racinos with slots, and sports betting 21+; lottery 18+. |
| North Carolina | 21+ | Tribal casinos and statewide online sports betting 21+; lottery products 18+. |
| North Dakota | 21+ | Tribal casinos with table games 21+; charitable gaming and lottery 18+. |
| Ohio | 21+ | Casinos, racinos, and sports betting 21+; lottery products usually 18+. |
| Oklahoma | 18+ | Most tribal casinos accept 18+; some set 21+ when alcohol is tied to gaming. |
| Oregon | 21+ | Tribal casinos and most casino-style games 21+; state lottery video terminals 21+. |
| Pennsylvania | 21+ | Casinos and online casinos or sportsbooks 21+; lottery and keno typically 18+. |
| Rhode Island | 18+ | In-person casino gaming and sports betting are 18+ under Rhode Island Lottery rules. Online casino (iGaming) is 21+. |
| South Carolina | 21+ | The 21+ casino entry refers to Big M offshore casino cruises departing South Carolina; it does not mean land-based casinos are authorized. |
| South Dakota | 21+ | Many tribal casinos 18+; Deadwood commercial casinos generally 21+. The 18+ casino age applies to Indian casinos. |
| Tennessee | Not allowed | No casinos; online sports betting 21+; state lottery products 18+. |
| Texas | 21+ | Limited tribal gaming: Kickapoo Lucky Eagle admits guests 21+. This does not mean statewide commercial casinos are authorized. |
| Utah | Not allowed | No legal casinos, lottery, or sports betting; state bans regulated gambling. |
| Vermont | Not allowed | No commercial or tribal casinos; online sports betting 21+; state lottery 18+. |
| Virginia | 21+ | New commercial casinos and sports betting 21+; lottery 18+. |
| Washington | 18+ | Many tribal casinos 18+; some require 21+ when alcohol is served on floor. |
| West Virginia | 21+ | Casinos, racinos, and online casinos or sportsbooks 21+; lottery 18+. |
| Wisconsin | 21+ | Tribal casinos and their sportsbooks 21+; bingo and lottery products usually 18+. Statewide online sports betting was approved in April 2026 but has not launched. |
| Wyoming | 21+ | Tribal casinos 21+; state online sports betting 18+ (some operators set 21+ internally). |
Compare all activities
| State | Casino | Sports | Online casino | Online sports | Online poker | Poker room | Lottery | DFS | Horses | Bingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 19+ | 18+ | 18+ | Not legal |
| Alaska | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | Not legal | 18+ | 19+ |
| Arizona | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ |
| Arkansas | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| California | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Colorado | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ |
| Connecticut | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 21+ | 18+ |
| Delaware | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Florida | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Georgia | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | Not legal | 18+ |
| Hawaii | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal |
| Idaho | 18+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Illinois | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Indiana | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Iowa | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal |
| Kansas | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Kentucky | Not legal | 18+ | Not legal | 18+ | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Louisiana | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 18+ |
| Maine | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Maryland | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Massachusetts | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Michigan | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Minnesota | 18+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Mississippi | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Missouri | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Montana | 18+ | 18+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Nebraska | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 19+ | 18+ | 18+ | 19+ |
| Nevada | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 18+ | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal |
| New Hampshire | 21+ | 18+ | Not legal | 18+ | 21+ | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 21+ | 18+ |
| New Jersey | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| New Mexico | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| New York | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| North Carolina | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | No min |
| North Dakota | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 21+ | 18+ |
| Ohio | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Oklahoma | 18+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Oregon | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Pennsylvania | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Rhode Island | 18+ | 18+ | 21+ | 18+ | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| South Carolina | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | Not legal | 18+ |
| South Dakota | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 21+ | 21+ |
| Tennessee | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | Not legal |
| Texas | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Utah | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | Not legal | Not legal |
| Vermont | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | Not legal |
| Virginia | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Washington | 18+ | 18+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| West Virginia | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Wisconsin | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Wyoming | 21+ | 21+ | Not legal | 18+ | Not legal | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
“No min” means the product is legal with no statutory minimum age. Washington, DC is not covered by the sources and is not listed.
State exceptions worth knowing
- Alabama
- Class II tribal electronic bingo; charity gaming often 18+; no state lottery.
- Alaska
- Chin'an Gaming Hall is a Class II tribal facility for guests 21+. Its electronic gaming does not include Class III table games. Check the venue rules; the casino entry is not statewide commercial-casino authorization.
- Arizona
- Tribal casinos 21+; many bingo halls and lottery products available from 18.
- Arkansas
- Commercial casinos and on-site sports betting 21+; lottery products usually 18+.
- California
- Some tribal casinos are 18+; many properties require 21 if alcohol is served on gaming floor. Casinos and poker rooms 18-21 depending on the establishment.
- Colorado
- Mountain town casinos and retail or online sports betting 21+.
- Connecticut
- Tribal casinos and retail or online sports betting 21+; lottery and keno typically 18+.
- Delaware
- Casino gaming and sports betting 21+; state lottery and racing products usually 18+.
- Florida
- Seminole tribal casinos and online sports betting 21+; some poker rooms operate at 18+.
- Georgia
- No land-based casinos; lottery and charitable games generally 18+. Casino age of 18 applies only to cruises.
- Hawaii
- No legal casinos, lottery, or sports betting; all regulated gambling is prohibited.
- Idaho
- Coeur d’Alene Casino admits guests 18+. Check the particular tribal venue before visiting.
- Illinois
- Riverboat and casino resorts and sports betting 21+; lottery and video gaming often 18+.
- Indiana
- Riverboats or racinos and sports betting 21+; lottery products typically 18+.
- Iowa
- Commercial and tribal casinos 21+; pari-mutuel and lottery games usually 21 as well.
- Kansas
- State-owned casinos and tribal venues 21+; racing and lottery products commonly 18+.
- Kentucky
- No commercial or tribal casinos; lottery and pari-mutuel wagering generally 18+.
- Louisiana
- Riverboats, land-based casinos, and sports betting 21+; lottery products often 21+.
- Maine
- Commercial casinos and sports betting 21+; lottery and some charitable games 18+.
- Maryland
- Casino gaming and mobile sports betting 21+; lottery and keno usually 18+.
- Massachusetts
- Casino resorts and sports betting 21+; lottery products typically 18+.
- Michigan
- Detroit commercial casinos 21+ (Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, PA 69); some tribal casinos accept 18+; lottery 18+.
- Minnesota
- Tribal compact minimum is 18 for casino gaming; check individual venue rules. Alcohol remains 21+.
- Mississippi
- Riverboat or resort casinos and sports betting 21+. Sports betting apps only work on licensed casino property; the state lottery uses 21+.
- Missouri
- Riverboat casinos and on-site sportsbooks 21+; lottery games usually 18+.
- Montana
- Video gaming, tribal casinos, and sports pools typically 18+. The Sports Bet Montana app only takes bets inside licensed venues.
- Nebraska
- Licensed racetrack casino gaming is 21+. Keno in a separate area can admit 19+ players under the Racetrack Gaming Act.
- Nevada
- Universal 21+ rule for casinos and sportsbooks; no state lottery.
- New Hampshire
- Charitable casino-style venues generally 21+; lottery and sports betting 18+.
- New Jersey
- Atlantic City casinos and online casinos or sportsbooks 21+; lottery products 18+.
- New Mexico
- Tribal casinos 21+; some racetrack venues and bingo halls accept 18+.
- New York
- Commercial casinos, racinos with slots, and sports betting 21+; lottery 18+.
- North Carolina
- Tribal casinos and statewide online sports betting 21+; lottery products 18+.
- North Dakota
- Tribal casinos with table games 21+; charitable gaming and lottery 18+.
- Ohio
- Casinos, racinos, and sports betting 21+; lottery products usually 18+.
- Oklahoma
- Most tribal casinos accept 18+; some set 21+ when alcohol is tied to gaming.
- Oregon
- Tribal casinos and most casino-style games 21+; state lottery video terminals 21+.
- Pennsylvania
- Casinos and online casinos or sportsbooks 21+; lottery and keno typically 18+.
- Rhode Island
- In-person casino gaming and sports betting are 18+ under Rhode Island Lottery rules. Online casino (iGaming) is 21+.
- South Carolina
- The 21+ casino entry refers to Big M offshore casino cruises departing South Carolina; it does not mean land-based casinos are authorized.
- South Dakota
- Many tribal casinos 18+; Deadwood commercial casinos generally 21+. The 18+ casino age applies to Indian casinos.
- Tennessee
- No casinos; online sports betting 21+; state lottery products 18+.
- Texas
- Limited tribal gaming: Kickapoo Lucky Eagle admits guests 21+. This does not mean statewide commercial casinos are authorized.
- Utah
- No legal casinos, lottery, or sports betting; state bans regulated gambling.
- Vermont
- No commercial or tribal casinos; online sports betting 21+; state lottery 18+.
- Virginia
- New commercial casinos and sports betting 21+; lottery 18+.
- Washington
- Many tribal casinos 18+; some require 21+ when alcohol is served on floor.
- West Virginia
- Casinos, racinos, and online casinos or sportsbooks 21+; lottery 18+.
- Wisconsin
- Tribal casinos and their sportsbooks 21+; bingo and lottery products usually 18+. Statewide online sports betting was approved in April 2026 but has not launched.
- Wyoming
- Tribal casinos 21+; state online sports betting 18+ (some operators set 21+ internally).
Frequently asked questions
What is the legal gambling age in the United States?
Which states let you gamble at 18?
How old do you have to be to bet on sports online?
Why is the lottery 18 when the casino next door is 21?
How current is this table and where does it come from?
Sources and caveats
- https://www.legalgamblingage.com (Gambling Age in the United States table; also https://www.newgamenetwork.com/casinos/legal-gambling-age/)
- https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/gambling-age-by-state (Minimum Age for Online Gambling, Online tab)
- https://chinancasino.com/ (Chinan Gaming Hall FAQ: Class II facility; guests 21+. Checked 2026-09-12.)
- https://www.cdacasino.com/ (Coeur dAlene Casino publishes 18+ admission; venue rules can differ. Checked 2026-09-12.)
- https://www.leg.mn.gov/docs/2017/other/170225.pdf (Minnesota House Research Youth and the Law: tribal compact minimum 18; check venue rules. Checked 2026-09-12.)
- https://www.ky3.com/2025/12/01/missouri-sports-betting-launches-december-1-with-mobile-in-person-options/ (Missouri Gaming Commission: mobile and in-person sports betting live since 2025-12-01 under Amendment 2; 21+. Checked 2026-09-14.)
- https://www.ky3.com/2025/12/01/missouri-sports-betting-launches-december-1-with-mobile-in-person-options/ (Missouri Gaming Commission: in-person sportsbooks at licensed casinos since 2025-12-01; 21+. Checked 2026-09-14.)
- https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/115763/mississippi-mobile-sports-betting-sweepstakes-ban-bills-die-committee-2026 (Mobile betting is limited to licensed casino property; statewide mobile bills died in the 2026 session. Checked 2026-09-14.)
- https://sportsbetmontana.com/en/view/download (Sports Bet Montana app accepts wagers only on licensed premises; no statewide online betting. Checked 2026-09-14.)
- https://www.legalsportsreport.com/sports-betting/states/north-carolina/ (NC Lottery Commission-licensed online sportsbooks live statewide since 2024-03-11 under HB 347; 21+. Checked 2026-09-14.)
- https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/display_html.php?begin_section=9-1101&end_section=9-1118 (Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act: games of chance 21+, separate keno exception 19+. Checked 2026-09-12.)
- https://oksenate.gov/press-releases/coleman-luttrell-reach-agreement-okc-thunder-majority-tribes-sports-betting (Oklahoma has not authorized sports betting; HB 1047 failed in the Senate on 2026-04-22. Checked 2026-09-14.)
- https://casinos.ballys.com/lincoln/contact-us.htm (Ballys Lincoln property-specific admission is 18+; not the corporate multi-state footer. Checked 2026-09-12.)
- https://www.rilot.com/en-us/player-zone/faqs.html (Rhode Island Lottery: iGaming available to 21+ players. Checked 2026-09-12.)
- https://www.bigmcasino.com/ship-ii (Big M casino cruise passengers 21+. Offshore cruise only, not land-based casino authorization. Checked 2026-09-12.)
- https://www.kickapooluckyeaglecasino.com/ (Kickapoo Lucky Eagle tribal casino admits 21+. Limited tribal gaming, not statewide commercial authorization. Checked 2026-09-12.)
- https://www.valottery.com/aboutus/casinosandsportsbetting/casinos (Virginia Lottery: casino gaming, players must be 21); https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title58.1/chapter41/article7/ (Code of Virginia Title 58.1 Ch. 41 Art. 7, conduct of casino gaming)
- https://fox11online.com/news/local/details-on-the-law-that-allows-users-to-bet-online-from-anywhere-in-wisconsin-gambling-oneida-casino-sports (Tribal casino sportsbooks legal under amended compacts since 2021; statewide online approved 2026-04-09 but not launched. Checked 2026-09-14.)
- https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title09.pdf (Wyoming Statute 9-24-105: online sports wagering 18+. Checked 2026-09-12.)
Where sources disagree
- Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Washington and Wisconsin publish a general online age while every online product is marked illegal; the table follows the per-product rows.
The table combines the July 2026baseline with the dated source corrections above. A cell marked “See note” is left out of the counts above until the row is corrected. Tribal casinos and individual venues can set a higher age than the state minimum. This is general information, not legal advice.
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