THE SHORT ANSWER
21
Of the 50 jurisdictions we have checked, 35 set 21 for the main gambling they allow, 11 allow some form of it at 18, and 2 start at 19 (Alaska and North Dakota). Hawaii and Utah have no legal gambling. The age can differ inside one state: commercial casinos, tribal casinos, racetracks, lotteries and online play may each have their own minimum.
Gambling age in every state
| State | Age | What it covers | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 21 | Wind Creek tribal casinos (casino policy). Alabama’s casinos are run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Wind Creek states that all patrons must be 21 to enter and play on the gaming floor or at its online casinos.Casino policy, not state law | Wind Creek Hospitality: age policy |
| Alaska | 19 | Charitable bingo (state law). Alaska law bars anyone under 19 from playing a charitable bingo game, and anyone under 21 from buying pull-tabs.Also: Pull-tabs: 21Tribal casinos: set by each tribe’s compact; check the casino. | Alaska charitable gaming statutes (Department of Revenue booklet): AS 05.15.180(f) and 05.15.187(e) |
| Arizona | 21 | Tribal casinos. State law requires every tribal-state gaming compact signed, renewed or amended since June 1, 2003 to bar wagering by anyone under 21. | Arizona Revised Statutes § 5-601(B) |
| Arkansas | 21 | Casinos and online casino accounts. The Racing Commission’s casino rules withhold winnings from patrons under 21 and allow only people 21 or older to open an online wagering account. | Arkansas Racing Commission casino gaming rules (2025) |
| California | 21 | Card rooms. State law bars anyone under 21 from the premises of a licensed card room, apart from limited designated areas.Tribal casinos: set by each tribe’s compact; check the casino. | California Business and Professions Code § 19921 (Gambling Control Commission compilation) |
| Colorado | 21 | Limited-stakes casinos. Anyone under 21 may not play, place wagers, collect winnings or even watch others gamble in a casino. | Colorado Division of Gaming: It’s Not Worth the Gamble |
| Connecticut | 21 | Casinos, online casino and sports betting. You must be at least 21 for in-person or online casino gaming and sports wagering in Connecticut.Also: Lottery, keno and fantasy contests: 18 | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection: How old must I be to participate in gaming? |
| Delaware | 21 | Casino slots, table games, sports and online games. Video lottery, table games, sports lottery and internet games at Delaware’s casinos require players 21 or older.Also: Lottery tickets: 18 | Delaware Lottery: Table games rules and regulations |
| District of Columbia | 18 | Sports betting. The District has no casinos. The minimum age to place or cash a sports wager in D.C. is 18. | D.C. Office of Lottery and Gaming: sports wagering FAQs |
| Florida | 21 | Slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities. Florida law bars anyone under 21 from playing slot machines or entering the slot area at licensed pari-mutuel facilities.Tribal casinos: set by each tribe’s compact; check the casino. | Florida Statutes § 551.113 |
| Georgia | 18 | Georgia Lottery. We found no licensed casinos in Georgia. The Georgia Lottery is open to players 18 and older. | Georgia Lottery: player FAQs |
| Hawaii | — | No legal gambling. Hawaii law treats gambling as an offense, apart from limited social gambling, so there are no casinos or lottery to play. | Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 712, part III (gambling offenses) |
| Idaho | 18 | Tribal casinos (casino policy). Idaho’s casinos are tribal. Clearwater River Casino says its gaming floor is for guests 18 and over, and Coeur d’Alene Casino also sets 18.Casino policy, not state law | Clearwater River Casino & Lodge: casino Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel: casino |
| Illinois | 21 | Casinos. The Illinois Gambling Act keeps anyone under 21 out of casino areas where gambling is conducted and bars them from wagering. | Illinois Gambling Act, 230 ILCS 10/11 |
| Indiana | 21 | Casinos. Indiana law says a person under 21 may not be present where casino gambling is conducted. | Indiana Code 4-33-9-12(a), as quoted by the Indiana Gaming Commission (Order 2025-59) |
| Iowa | 21 | Casinos and racetrack casinos. A person under 21 may not wager or be on the gaming floor of a casino or racetrack casino. | Iowa Code § 99F.9 |
| Kansas | 21 | Casinos and sports betting. Kansas law keeps anyone under 21 out of areas with electronic gaming machines or casino table games, and out of sports wagering. | Kansas Statutes 74-8757 |
| Kentucky | 18 | Historical horse racing machines. Kentucky’s racetrack gaming rooms with historical horse racing machines must keep out anyone under 18. Since July 15, 2026, state law sets 21 for sports wagering.Also: Sports betting (since July 15, 2026): 21 | Kentucky Revised Statutes § 2.015 (version effective July 15, 2026) Kentucky Administrative Regulations 810 KAR 6:030 |
| Louisiana | 21 | Casinos. All casino patrons must be 21 or older, even when accompanied by a parent. | Louisiana State Police: Gaming FAQs |
| Maine | 21 | Casinos. Casino operators may not let anyone under 21 play a slot machine or table game. | Maine Revised Statutes, Title 8 § 1031 |
| Maryland | 21 | Casinos and sports betting areas. Anyone under 21 is prohibited from a Maryland casino’s gaming area and from designated sports wagering areas. | Maryland Lottery and Gaming: employee licenses |
| Massachusetts | 21 | Casinos. No one under 21 may wager or be in a gaming area of a Massachusetts casino. | Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 23K § 25 Massachusetts Gaming Commission: underage violations at MGM Springfield (2021) |
| Michigan | 21 | Detroit casinos, online casinos and sports betting. Michigan law requires bettors to be 21 or older in the Detroit casinos and on authorized online casino and sportsbook sites.Also: Fantasy contests: 18Tribal casinos: set by each tribe’s compact; check the casino. | Michigan Gaming Control Board (October 2, 2024) |
| Minnesota | 18 | Tribal casino blackjack and video games. Minnesota’s tribal-state compacts for blackjack and video games of chance bar players under 18. A prize won by someone under 18 is not paid. | Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community blackjack compact (Minnesota Legislative Reference Library) |
| Mississippi | 21 | Casinos. State law bars anyone under 21 from playing or collecting winnings, and the Gaming Commission defines a minor as anyone younger than 21. | Mississippi Gaming Commission regulations (Rule 9.1; source: Miss. Code § 75-76-155) |
| Missouri | 21 | Casinos. Persons under 21 may not be admitted to the casino floor or allowed to place a wager. | Missouri Gaming Commission minimum internal control standards, Chapter N § 4.01 (quoted in DC-25-024) Revised Statutes of Missouri § 313.817 |
| Montana | 18 | All licensed gambling, including video gambling machines. Montana law bars anyone under 18 from participating in a gambling activity, with a narrow exception for charitable raffles. | Montana Code Annotated § 23-5-158 |
| Nebraska | 21 | Racetrack casinos. No one under 21 may play any game of chance or gaming device at a licensed racetrack casino. Keno at 19 is allowed only in a separate area.Also: Keno in a separate area: 19 | Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act § 9-1104 (Racing and Gaming Commission copy) |
| Nevada | 21 | Casinos, slots, sports books and race books. No one under 21 may play, collect winnings or loiter where licensed games run, anywhere in Nevada. | Nevada Revised Statutes § 463.350 |
| New Hampshire | 18 | Charitable gaming rooms and historical horse racing. New Hampshire’s Lottery Commission rules keep anyone under 18 out of rooms where games of chance or historical horse racing are offered. | New Hampshire Lottery Commission rules, Lot 8200 |
| New Jersey | 21 | Casinos. The Casino Control Act ties the casino age to the legal drinking age, which is 21 in New Jersey. | N.J.S.A. 5:12-119 (Casino Control Act, Article 9) |
| New Mexico | 21 | Racetrack casinos. Persons under 21 are prohibited from entering racetrack gaming premises.Tribal casinos: set by each tribe’s compact; check the casino. | New Mexico Administrative Code 15.1.10.15 |
| New York | 21 | Commercial casinos. New York’s commercial casino resorts may not accept a wager from anyone under 21. Video lottery facilities (racinos) follow Gaming Commission rules that set 18; a bill to raise them to 21 was still in committee in 2026.Also: Video lottery facilities (racinos): 18Tribal casinos: set by each tribe’s compact; check the casino. | New York Gaming Commission rules, 9 NYCRR § 5117.1 (video lottery) New York Senate bill S2610 (2025-2026) Governor of New York: Upstate NY Gaming Economic Development Act |
| North Carolina | 21 | Tribal casinos (casino policy) and sports betting. North Carolina’s casinos are tribal. Catawba Two Kings Casino states you must be 21 to play, and Harrah’s Cherokee sets 21 as well. State law also sets 21 for sports wagering.Casino policy, not state lawAlso: Sports betting (state law): 21 | Catawba Two Kings Casino Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort North Carolina General Statutes chapter 18C |
| North Dakota | 19 | Tribal casinos. North Dakota’s tribal-state compacts, in effect since December 19, 2022, allow wagering from age 19, or 18 with military identification. | Spirit Lake Tribe and State of North Dakota gaming compact, § 5.5 (Bureau of Indian Affairs) Federal Register: approval of North Dakota compacts (December 19, 2022) |
| Ohio | 21 | Casinos. Ohio law makes it an offense to let anyone under 21 wager at a casino, or for someone under 21 to enter one. | Ohio Revised Code § 3772.99 |
| Oklahoma | 18 | Tribal casinos. Oklahoma’s tribal gaming compacts keep anyone under 18 out of areas where covered games are played and bar them from winning a prize. | Comanche Nation and State of Oklahoma gaming compact (Facility age restriction) Oklahoma Model Tribal Gaming Compact |
| Oregon | 21 | Oregon Lottery video terminals and online sports betting. You must be 21 to play Oregon Lottery video terminals or its online sportsbook.Also: Scratch tickets and jackpot games: 18Tribal casinos: set by each tribe’s compact; check the casino. | Oregon Lottery: Help and FAQs |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | Casinos. Pennsylvania law prohibits anyone under 21 from the gaming floor or from gambling in a casino. | Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board |
| Rhode Island | 18 | Both casinos (Lincoln and Tiverton). Admission to Rhode Island’s two casinos is limited to people 18 and older. Online casino play requires 21.Also: Online casino (iGaming): 21 | Rhode Island Lottery: Video lottery terminals and table games Rhode Island Lottery: FAQs |
| South Carolina | 18 | South Carolina Education Lottery. We found no licensed casinos in South Carolina. The state lottery requires players 18 and older. | South Carolina Education Lottery: play responsibly |
| South Dakota | 21 | Deadwood and tribal casinos. You must be at least 21 to wager in Deadwood’s casinos and at South Dakota’s tribal casinos.Also: Simulcast and live horse racing: 18 | South Dakota Department of Revenue: Individual FAQs |
| Tennessee | 21 | Online sports betting. We found no licensed casinos in Tennessee. Bettors must be 21 and physically in Tennessee to wager on sports, and betting through someone else is illegal. | Tennessee Sports Wagering Council: sports betting is for those 21 and up |
| Texas | 21* | Naskila Casino (casino policy). Texas’s gaming venues are tribal and set their own age. Naskila Casino says you must be 21 to enter; we have not confirmed the other venues.Casino policy, not state law | Naskila Casino: FAQs |
| Utah | — | No legal gambling. Utah’s constitution bars the Legislature from authorizing any game of chance or lottery, so there are no casinos or lottery. | Utah Constitution, Article VI, Section 27 |
| Vermont | 21 | Online sports betting. We found no licensed casinos in Vermont. Customers must be 21 or older to place sports wagers. | Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery: mobile sports wagering launch |
| Virginia | 21 | Casinos. No one may wager at a Virginia casino unless they are 21 or older. | Code of Virginia § 58.1-4128 |
| Washington | 18 | Licensed gambling (state law). The legal age to gamble in Washington is 18.Tribal casinos: set by each tribe’s compact; check the casino. | Washington State Gambling Commission: illegal activities and underage gambling |
| West Virginia | 21 | Casinos. Anyone under 21 may not enter or stay in a casino gaming area or play its video lottery machines and table games. | West Virginia Code § 29-25-25 |
| Wisconsin | 21 | Most tribal casinos. Under Wisconsin’s tribal-state compacts the minimum playing age is 21, except under the Lac Courte Oreilles and Sokaogon compacts, where it is 18.Also: Lac Courte Oreilles and Sokaogon casinos: 18 | Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau: Tribal Gaming in Wisconsin (Informational Paper 87) |
| Wyoming | ? | Not yet confirmed from an official source. Check the state gaming regulator. | — |
Sources read October 2, 2026. Laws, rules and compacts change: open the source before you rely on a single number. A state marked “?” has not been confirmed yet; it is not a statement that gambling is legal or illegal there.
Why the age can differ inside one state
Each state sets the rules for the casinos it licenses, and those rules usually say 21. Tribal casinos operate under a compact between the tribe and the state, and the compact sets the minimum age. That is why Oklahoma’s tribal casinos admit players from 18, North Dakota’s from 19 and Arizona’s only from 21. Racetrack gaming rooms, lotteries and charitable games can have their own minimum again.
Alcohol adds a second layer. A casino floor with a bar may keep everyone under 21 out of that area even where the gambling age is lower, so check the specific venue.
Where you can gamble at 18
Among the states we have confirmed, these allow some casino-style gambling at 18:
- District of Columbia: sports betting.
- Georgia: georgia lottery.
- Idaho: tribal casinos (casino policy).
- Kentucky: historical horse racing machines.
- Minnesota: tribal casino blackjack and video games.
- Montana: all licensed gambling, including video gambling machines.
- New Hampshire: charitable gaming rooms and historical horse racing.
- Oklahoma: tribal casinos.
- Rhode Island: both casinos (lincoln and tiverton).
- South Carolina: south carolina education lottery.
- Washington: licensed gambling (state law).
Wisconsin also has two tribal casinos at 18 (Lac Courte Oreilles and Sokaogon), while its other tribal casinos require 21. North Dakota’s tribal casinos start at 19, or 18 with military identification, and Alaska’s charitable bingo starts at 19.
Online gambling has its own minimum
Do not assume an online casino uses the same age as the casino down the road. Rhode Island admits players from 18 at its two casinos but requires 21 for online casino play. Connecticut, Delaware and Michigan require 21 for online casino games, and Kentucky raised its sports betting age from 18 to 21 on July 15, 2026.
Where the age comes from a casino, not a law
In states whose only casinos are tribal and where the state publishes no minimum, we use the age the casino itself publishes and label it “casino policy”. That applies to Alabama, Idaho, North Carolina, Texas. A tribe can change its policy, so check the venue before you go.
Bring a valid photo ID. Casinos are required to check age, and in many states a person under the minimum cannot collect winnings. In Nevada, for example, the law also prohibits playing through an adult. Read what Nevada’s rule covers.
Next: find casinos in your state, see what each bet costs or read what to know before your first visit.
Common questions
What is the gambling age in the United States?
There is no single national gambling age. Each state sets its own, and tribal casinos follow their compacts or their own policies. Of the 50 jurisdictions we have checked, 35 set 21 for the main gambling they allow.
Is there anywhere in the U.S. with no legal gambling?
Yes. Hawaii and Utah have no casinos and no lottery: Utah’s constitution bars games of chance, and Hawaii treats gambling as an offense apart from limited social gambling.
Which states let you gamble at 18?
Among the jurisdictions we have confirmed: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Washington, each for the type of gambling listed in our table, from casinos to the lottery. Wisconsin also has two tribal casinos at 18.
What is the gambling age in Oklahoma?
18 at Oklahoma’s tribal casinos. The state’s tribal gaming compacts keep anyone under 18 out of areas where covered games are played.
What is the gambling age in California?
21 for California’s card rooms under state law. Tribal casinos set their minimum under their own compacts, so check the casino before you go.
What is the gambling age in Las Vegas?
21. Nevada law applies statewide and also bars anyone under 21 from collecting winnings or loitering where games run.
Is the online gambling age the same as the casino age?
Not always. Rhode Island’s casinos admit players from 18, but online casino play there requires 21.