What Are the Gambling Age Restrictions in the United States?

Most states have minimum gambling age restrictions of 21, but it varies because there’s no consensus. At least four states allow players over 18 to gamble: Oklahoma, Montana, Wyoming, and Rhode Island. Most states allow anyone over 18 to play the lottery and bet on horse racing.

However, no states allow anyone under 16 years to gamble. Generally, most gambling age restrictions in the United States follow the drinking minimum for casinos, racetracks, poker rooms, and online gambling websites.

Can I Gamble at 18 in the US?

Yes, you can gamble at 18 in some states, but it varies depending on where you gamble. Most states allow 18-year-olds to bet on the lottery, but some will limit entry to casinos and gaming tables.

However, Maine, Ohio, and Oklahoma allow 16-year-olds to bet on bingo games. For the most part, states range between 18-21 years for gambling on poker tables, sports betting, horse racing, dog racing, and the lottery.

USA Legal Gambling Age Restrictions by State

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of each state and what the gambling age restrictions currently are. These are divided into states that allow all types of gambling and those that only allow some.

These gambling age restrictions are subject to change during elections, so keep an eye on your region. *Minimum age varies by gambling venue.

States That Allow All Gambling

States That Allow Some Gambling