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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

Select one or more to compare. Click again to remove.

50 states
Alabama: 21+ALAlaska: 21+AKArizona: 21+AZColorado: 21+COFlorida: 21+FLGeorgia: Not legalGAIndiana: 21+INKansas: 21+KSMaine: 21+MEMassachusetts: 21+Minnesota: 18+MNNew Jersey: 21+North Carolina: 21+NCNorth Dakota: 21+NDOklahoma: 18+OKPennsylvania: 21+PASouth Dakota: 21+SDTexas: 21+TXWyoming: 21+WYConnecticut: 21+Missouri: 21+MOWest Virginia: 21+WVIllinois: 21+ILNew Mexico: 21+NMArkansas: 21+ARCalifornia: 21+CADelaware: 21+Hawaii: Not legalIowa: 21+IAKentucky: Not legalKYMaryland: 21+Michigan: 21+MIMississippi: 21+MSMontana: 18+MTNew Hampshire: 21+New York: 21+NYOhio: 21+OHOregon: 21+ORTennessee: Not legalTNUtah: Not legalUTVirginia: 21+VAWashington: 18+WAWisconsin: 21+WINebraska: 21+NESouth Carolina: 21+SCIdaho: 18+IDNevada: 21+NVVermont: Not legalLouisiana: 21+LARhode Island: 18+

Gold marks your selection, not legal status. Alaska and Hawaii are shown as insets.

50 of 50 states

Casino: minimum age by state

StateCasinoWhat to know
Alabama21+Class II tribal electronic bingo; charity gaming often 18+; no state lottery.
Alaska21+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.
Arizona21+Tribal casinos 21+; many bingo halls and lottery products available from 18.
Arkansas21+Commercial casinos and on-site sports betting 21+; lottery products usually 18+.
California21+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.
Colorado21+Mountain town casinos and retail or online sports betting 21+.
Connecticut21+Tribal casinos and retail or online sports betting 21+; lottery and keno typically 18+.
Delaware21+Casino gaming and sports betting 21+; state lottery and racing products usually 18+.
Florida21+Seminole tribal casinos and online sports betting 21+; some poker rooms operate at 18+.
GeorgiaNot allowedNo land-based casinos; lottery and charitable games generally 18+. Casino age of 18 applies only to cruises.
HawaiiNot allowedNo legal casinos, lottery, or sports betting; all regulated gambling is prohibited.
Idaho18+Coeur d’Alene Casino admits guests 18+. Check the particular tribal venue before visiting.
Illinois21+Riverboat and casino resorts and sports betting 21+; lottery and video gaming often 18+.
Indiana21+Riverboats or racinos and sports betting 21+; lottery products typically 18+.
Iowa21+Commercial and tribal casinos 21+; pari-mutuel and lottery games usually 21 as well.
Kansas21+State-owned casinos and tribal venues 21+; racing and lottery products commonly 18+.
KentuckyNot allowedNo commercial or tribal casinos; lottery and pari-mutuel wagering generally 18+.
Louisiana21+Riverboats, land-based casinos, and sports betting 21+; lottery products often 21+.
Maine21+Commercial casinos and sports betting 21+; lottery and some charitable games 18+.
Maryland21+Casino gaming and mobile sports betting 21+; lottery and keno usually 18+.
Massachusetts21+Casino resorts and sports betting 21+; lottery products typically 18+.
Michigan21+Detroit commercial casinos 21+ (Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, PA 69); some tribal casinos accept 18+; lottery 18+.
Minnesota18+Tribal compact minimum is 18 for casino gaming; check individual venue rules. Alcohol remains 21+.
Mississippi21+Riverboat or resort casinos and sports betting 21+. Sports betting apps only work on licensed casino property; the state lottery uses 21+.
Missouri21+Riverboat casinos and on-site sportsbooks 21+; lottery games usually 18+.
Montana18+Video gaming, tribal casinos, and sports pools typically 18+. The Sports Bet Montana app only takes bets inside licensed venues.
Nebraska21+Licensed racetrack casino gaming is 21+. Keno in a separate area can admit 19+ players under the Racetrack Gaming Act.
Nevada21+Universal 21+ rule for casinos and sportsbooks; no state lottery.
New Hampshire21+Charitable casino-style venues generally 21+; lottery and sports betting 18+.
New Jersey21+Atlantic City casinos and online casinos or sportsbooks 21+; lottery products 18+.
New Mexico21+Tribal casinos 21+; some racetrack venues and bingo halls accept 18+.
New York21+Commercial casinos, racinos with slots, and sports betting 21+; lottery 18+.
North Carolina21+Tribal casinos and statewide online sports betting 21+; lottery products 18+.
North Dakota21+Tribal casinos with table games 21+; charitable gaming and lottery 18+.
Ohio21+Casinos, racinos, and sports betting 21+; lottery products usually 18+.
Oklahoma18+Most tribal casinos accept 18+; some set 21+ when alcohol is tied to gaming.
Oregon21+Tribal casinos and most casino-style games 21+; state lottery video terminals 21+.
Pennsylvania21+Casinos and online casinos or sportsbooks 21+; lottery and keno typically 18+.
Rhode Island18+In-person casino gaming and sports betting are 18+ under Rhode Island Lottery rules. Online casino (iGaming) is 21+.
South Carolina21+The 21+ casino entry refers to Big M offshore casino cruises departing South Carolina; it does not mean land-based casinos are authorized.
South Dakota21+Many tribal casinos 18+; Deadwood commercial casinos generally 21+. The 18+ casino age applies to Indian casinos.
TennesseeNot allowedNo casinos; online sports betting 21+; state lottery products 18+.
Texas21+Limited tribal gaming: Kickapoo Lucky Eagle admits guests 21+. This does not mean statewide commercial casinos are authorized.
UtahNot allowedNo legal casinos, lottery, or sports betting; state bans regulated gambling.
VermontNot allowedNo commercial or tribal casinos; online sports betting 21+; state lottery 18+.
Virginia21+New commercial casinos and sports betting 21+; lottery 18+.
Washington18+Many tribal casinos 18+; some require 21+ when alcohol is served on floor.
West Virginia21+Casinos, racinos, and online casinos or sportsbooks 21+; lottery 18+.
Wisconsin21+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.
Wyoming21+Tribal casinos 21+; state online sports betting 18+ (some operators set 21+ internally).
Compare all activities
StateCasinoSportsOnline casinoOnline sportsOnline pokerPoker roomLotteryDFSHorsesBingo
Alabama21+Not legalNot legalNot legalNot legal18+19+18+18+Not legal
Alaska21+Not legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legal18+Not legal18+19+
Arizona21+21+Not legal21+Not legal21+21+21+21+21+
Arkansas21+21+Not legal21+Not legal18+18+18+18+18+
California21+Not legalNot legalNot legalNot legal21+18+18+18+18+
Colorado21+21+Not legal21+Not legal21+18+21+21+21+
Connecticut21+21+21+21+Not legalNot legal18+18+21+18+
Delaware21+21+21+21+21+21+18+18+18+18+
Florida21+21+Not legal21+Not legal18+18+18+18+18+
GeorgiaNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legal18+18+Not legal18+
HawaiiNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legal
Idaho18+Not legalNot legalNot legalNot legal18+Not legal21+18+18+
Illinois21+21+Not legal21+Not legal18+18+18+18+18+
Indiana21+21+Not legal21+Not legal18+18+18+18+18+
Iowa21+21+Not legal21+Not legal21+21+21+21+Not legal
Kansas21+21+Not legal21+Not legal21+18+18+18+18+
KentuckyNot legal18+Not legal18+Not legalNot legal18+18+18+18+
Louisiana21+21+Not legal21+Not legal21+21+21+21+18+
Maine21+21+Not legal21+Not legal21+18+18+18+18+
Maryland21+21+Not legal21+Not legal21+18+18+18+18+
Massachusetts21+21+Not legal21+Not legal21+18+21+18+18+
Michigan21+21+21+21+21+21+18+18+18+18+
Minnesota18+Not legalNot legalNot legalNot legal18+18+18+18+18+
Mississippi21+21+Not legalNot legalNot legal21+18+18+18+18+
Missouri21+21+Not legal21+Not legal18+18+18+18+18+
Montana18+18+Not legalNot legalNot legal18+Not legal18+18+18+
Nebraska21+21+Not legalNot legalNot legal18+19+18+18+19+
Nevada21+21+Not legal21+21+21+18+21+21+Not legal
New Hampshire21+18+Not legal18+21+21+18+18+21+18+
New Jersey21+21+21+21+21+21+18+18+18+18+
New Mexico21+21+Not legalNot legalNot legal21+18+18+18+18+
New York21+21+Not legal21+Not legal18+18+18+18+18+
North Carolina21+21+Not legal21+Not legal21+18+18+18+No min
North Dakota21+21+Not legalNot legalNot legalNot legal18+18+21+18+
Ohio21+21+Not legal21+Not legal21+18+18+18+18+
Oklahoma18+Not legalNot legalNot legalNot legal18+18+18+18+18+
Oregon21+21+Not legal21+Not legal21+18+18+18+18+
Pennsylvania21+21+21+21+21+21+18+18+18+18+
Rhode Island18+18+21+18+Not legal18+18+18+18+18+
South Carolina21+Not legalNot legalNot legalNot legal18+18+18+Not legal18+
South Dakota21+21+Not legalNot legalNot legal21+18+18+21+21+
TennesseeNot legalNot legalNot legal21+Not legalNot legal18+18+18+Not legal
Texas21+Not legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legal18+18+18+18+
UtahNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legalNot legal18+Not legalNot legal
VermontNot legalNot legalNot legal21+Not legalNot legal18+18+18+Not legal
Virginia21+21+Not legal21+Not legalNot legal18+18+18+18+
Washington18+18+Not legalNot legalNot legal18+18+18+18+18+
West Virginia21+21+21+21+21+21+18+18+18+18+
Wisconsin21+21+Not legalNot legalNot legal18+18+18+18+18+
Wyoming21+21+Not legal18+Not legal18+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).
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the legal gambling age in the United States?
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).
Which states let you gamble at 18?
Casinos admit 18-year-olds in 6 states: Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Washington. Some of those are tribal casinos or venues that serve no alcohol on the gaming floor, so the venue rule can still be 21. Check the state notes below the table.
How old do you have to be to bet on sports online?
Online sports betting is legal in 31 states in our data. 27 of them set the age at 21; 4 allow 18: Kentucky, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Wyoming.
Why is the lottery 18 when the casino next door is 21?
The ages come from different statutes. Lottery, bingo and daily fantasy are usually written into consumer or charitable gaming law at 18, while casino and sports betting acts tend to copy the drinking age because alcohol is served on the floor. A state can therefore be 18 for one product and 21 for another with no contradiction.
How current is this table and where does it come from?
The ages are as of September 2026 (July baseline with dated corrections) and come from the published sources listed at the bottom of the page; we store them as given and rerun the check when a state changes its law. A dash means the product is not legal in that state under those sources. This is general information, not legal advice: the operator's own eligibility rules and the state regulator are the final word.

Sources and caveats

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.

Related: best platforms by US state · US-licensed casinos · glossary

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