Gambling age explained

The gambling age is the minimum age at which one can legally gamble in a certain jurisdiction. In some countries, gambling is illegal regardless of age, while some countries have different age limits for different types of gambling, and some countries have no explicit minimum gambling age.

Oceania

data-sort-type="letter" Countrydata-sort-type="number" AgeNotes
18The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 passed by the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia banned online gambling in the form of casinos and slots.
Federated States of Micronesiadata-sort-value="10" Dependent on State law[1] Chuuk and Yap – illegal[2] [3]
Kiribati18[4]
Marshall Islandsdata-sort-value="99" Illegal for all agesGambling is illegal except for non-profit bingo, raffles and cakewalks.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Gambling regulation is a State responsibility: Pacific Coast Enterprises v. Chuuk, 9 FSM Intrm. 543, 546 (Chk. S. Ct. Tr. 2000).
  2. Gambling is illegal, except for "games played in private homes or residences in which no person makes money for playing or operating such games": TDL 2-94-21, § 2 (Text version in draft Chuuk Code).
  3. Gambling is illegal, with exceptions for "any nonprofit organization, certified as such by the Treasurer, from conducting raffles, lotteries, or bingo games in order to raise money for any educational, charitable, or public purpose" Yap State Code (1987), Title 11, Chapter 6, §601. (Most recent online version.)
  4. http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/ki/legis/num_act/gala1988196/gala1988196.html Gambling and Lotteries Act 1988
  5. http://ronlaw.gov.nr/nauru_lpms/files/acts/f1007cdd5bd3119ff1355c5f79cbd0e9.pdf Gaming Act 2011
  6. Web site: Casinos .
  7. News: Age limit plan for pokies. The New Zealand Herald . 2000-06-30. 2019-09-12. en-NZ. 1170-0777.
  8. http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/pw/legis/num_act/pcotroprn9212013343/pcotroprn9212013343.html Penal Code of the Republic of Palau
  9. http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/pw/legis/num_act/pcotroprn9212013343/pcotroprn9212013343.html Penal Code of the Republic of Palau
  10. Web site: Domestic Relations - Title 21. www.paclii.org.
  11. http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/sb/legis/consol_act/gala196/ Gaming and Lotteries Act
  12. http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/sb/legis/consol_act/gala196/ Gaming and Lotteries Act
  13. http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/tk/legis/num_act/cpaer2003302/cpaer2003302.html Crimes, Procedure and Evidence Rules 2003
  14. http://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1964/1964-0004/GamingandLotteries_1.pdf Gaming and Lotteries Act
  15. http://tuvalu-legislation.tv/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1964/1964-0004/GamingandLotteries_1.pdf Gaming and Lotteries Act
  16. http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/vu/legis/consol_act/viga274/viga274.html Vanuatu Interactive Gaming Act
  17. http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/vu/legis/consol_act/cca166/cca166.html Casino Control Act
  18. Web site: Austria: European Casino Association (ECA). www.europeancasinoassociation.org. 2019-06-28.
  19. Web site: Practical Law UK Signon. signon.thomsonreuters.com. 2019-06-28.
  20. Web site: International Comparative Legal Guides. International Comparative Legal Guides International Business Reports. en. 2019-06-28.
  21. Web site: Gambling Act–Riigi Teataja . 2024-05-04 . www.riigiteataja.ee.
  22. News: Spielhallen dürfen künftig erst ab 21 Jahren betreten werden (German) . 2023-05-26 . Axel Springer . Welt . 2021-01-26.
  23. Web site: Practical Law UK Signon. signon.thomsonreuters.com. 2019-06-28.
  24. Web site: European Gambling Policies for the Young. www.legalgamblingage.net. 2019-05-25.
  25. Web site: Georgia tightens gambling business regulations from March 1. 1tv.ge. 2021-12-22. 2023-01-03.
  26. Web site: Hungary: European Casino Association (ECA). www.europeancasinoassociation.org. 2019-05-25.
  27. World Casinos Info, https://www.worldcasinos.info/italy.
  28. Web site: Latvia: European Casino Association (ECA). www.europeancasinoassociation.org. 2019-06-28.
  29. Web site: Lithuania: European Casino Association (ECA). www.europeancasinoassociation.org. 2019-06-28.
  30. Web site: Luxembourg: European Casino Association (ECA). www.europeancasinoassociation.org. 2019-06-28.
  31. Web site: Practical Law UK Signon. signon.thomsonreuters.com. 2019-06-28.
  32. Bonello. Emerson. 2016. Rationale behind different age requirements to enter casinos in Malta and their compatibility with Article 45 of the Maltese Constitution. en.
  33. Web site: Monte Carlo Casino Monaco. en-US. 2019-05-25.
  34. Web site: Poland: European Casino Association (ECA). www.europeancasinoassociation.org. 2019-05-25.
  35. Web site: San Marino: European Casino Association (ECA). www.europeancasinoassociation.org. 2019-05-25.
  36. Web site: Serbia: European Casino Association (ECA). www.europeancasinoassociation.org. 2019-05-25.
  37. Web site: Slovakia: European Casino Association (ECA). www.europeancasinoassociation.org. 2019-06-28.
  38. Web site: Slovenia: European Casino Association (ECA). www.europeancasinoassociation.org. 2019-06-28.
  39. Web site: Vanliga frågor om Club Cosmopol. Casino Cosmopol. sv. 2019-11-18.
  40. Web site: For the love of Sweden!. Swedish Freak. en-US. 2019-06-28.
  41. Web site: Switzerland: European Casino Association (ECA). www.europeancasinoassociation.org. 2019-06-28.
  42. Web site: How Is Gambling Regulated? BeGambleAware BeGambleAware. www.begambleaware.org. 2019-05-25.
  43. Web site: Armenia Adopts Gambling Adverts Restrictions. 2019-06-19. Casino News Daily. en-US. 2019-09-12.
  44. Web site: Japan Gvt to lower age of adulthood to 18; gambling age will remain 20. 2017-08-15. World Casino News. en-US. 2019-05-25.
  45. Web site: Gambling Age In Laos. fastip.edu.al. 2019-11-13.
  46. Web site: Syrian Arab Republic Online Gambling Restrictions. lcb.org. en. 2019-06-28.
  47. Decreto-lei № 6/2016 de 20 de abril - Regime Jurídico do Licenciamento, Exploração e Controlo da Atividade dos Jogos Sociais e de Diversão, Máquinas de Jogo e Jogos Tradicionais . Jornal da República . pt . Díli . 2016-04-20 . 1 . 9214–9226.
  48. Web site: Malawi Gaming Board, Police warn illegal gamblers. Website. Administrator. www.gamingboard.org.mw.
  49. Web site: African Gambling Laws – The Legality of Casinos in Africa. www.gamblingsites.org. 2019-05-17.
  50. Web site: How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble? . 2022-11-03 . SiGMA . en-US.
  51. Web site: South African Gambling – Online and Offline. www.gamblingafrica.com. 2019-05-17.
  52. Web site: Gambling in Barbados. 2011-09-05. The Bajan Reporter. en-US. 2019-05-25.
  53. Web site: What is the gambling age for the casino at the.... www.tripadvisor.co.za. en. 2019-05-25.
  54. Web site: California Gambling Control Commission. 2021-07-30. www.cgcc.ca.gov.
  55. Web site: Responsible Gaming California State Lottery. 2021-07-30. www.calottery.com. en.
  56. https://static.coloradolottery.com/media/filer_public/ed/09/ed092feb-3892-4ade-9832-7295955b05f6/rule_1_general_rules_regulations_and_definitions.pdf Colorado Lottery Rules and Regulations
  57. Web site: Chapter - Delaware General Assembly. 2021-08-05. legis.delaware.gov.
  58. Web site: Statutes & Constitution :Constitution : Online Sunshine. 2021-08-05. www.leg.state.fl.us.
  59. Web site: Utah Code Section 76-10-1102. 2021-08-01. le.utah.gov.
  60. http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/mh/legis/consol_act/garpa1998304/garpa1998304.html Gaming and Recreation Prohibition Act 1998 [31 MIRC Ch.4]].|-| Nauru| 18[5] ||-||20 (casinos)[6]
    18 (horse racing and instant kiwi)
    None (other types, including lottery)[7] ||-| Palau| 18| Gambling is illegal in Palau except for social gambling, non-profit organisations, and offshore gambling.[8] The social gambling age is tied to the age of majority,[9] which is 18 under Palauan law.[10] |-||data-sort-value="0" | None||-| Solomon Islands| 18[11] | People below the age of 18 can gamble with parental permission in a private dwelling-house or in the presence of a parent. For certain small lotteries, the minimum age to purchase a ticket is 16.[12] |-| Tokelau| data-sort-value="99" | Illegal for all ages| Gaming is illegal in Tokelau (defined as "a game for money with cards or with dice").[13] |-| Tuvalu| 18[14] | People below the age of 18 can gamble with parental permission in a private dwelling-house or in the presence of a parent. For certain small lotteries, one only needs to be 16 in order to buy a ticket.[15] |-| Vanuatu| 18[16] [17] | The given references only prevent people under the age of 18 from gambling online or in casinos.|}

    Europe

    !Country/territory!Minimum age!Notes
    18
    None
    18[18]
    18
    21 (casinos)
    18 (national lottery)
    18
    18
    Croatia18 (excluding non-casino machines and private)
    18[19]
    18
    18 (except sports betting)[20]
    21 (casinos)[21]
    18 (sports betting)

    16 (national lottery)

    18
    Finland18
    France18Lowered from 21 to 18 on May 5, 1987, for casinos.
    Germany18–21Varies by state and the type of gambling, lotteries and casinos are generally rated above 18 except casinos in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, which are rated above 21.[22]
    18[23]
    Greece21[24]
    25, or 18 for foreign citizens and stateless persons[25]
    18
    18[26]
    18
    Ireland18
    18
    Italy18[27]
    KosovoIllegal for all agesGambling was outlawed in 2019 due to a string of murders that occurred in casinos that year.
    18[28]
    18
    18[29]
    18[30]
    18,[31] or 25 for Maltese citizens[32]
    18
    Monaco18[33]
    Montenegro18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    Poland18[34]
    Portugal25 (some casinos)
    18 (some casinos, and all other types)
    Portugal has complicated gambling laws. It depends on each casino, and there are even some casinos which allow tourists from the age of 18, and local people from 25.
    18
    San Marino18[35]
    Serbia18[36]
    18[37]
    18[38]
    Spain18
    20 (casinos)[39]
    18 (other types)[40]
    18[41]
    Illegal for all ages (casinos)
    18 (lotteries)
    Gambling is illegal in Turkey except for lotteries and horse races.
    21
    UK (United Kingdom)Age variable by bet:18
    16
    None

    (see the table below for more information)[42]

    None

    Asia

    !Country/territory!Minimum age!Notes
    18
    AfghanistanIllegal for all agesAll casinos and lotteries are forbidden.
    21[43]
    18
    BahrainIllegal for all ages
    None
    18
    Illegal for all ages
    None
    Illegal for all ages18 (lotteries)Gambling is illegal in China except for lotteries.
    18
    18
    18
    Illegal for all ages
    21
    21Illegal for all ages (Muslims)Only lottery gambling is legal in Indonesia.
    18
    20
    18 (pachinko) [44]
    Majority is lowered to 18, but gambling age still stays at 20 (for lotteries and casinos).
    JordanIllegal
    18
    18[45]
    21
    Macau21
    18 (lottery, sports betting, racing)
    21
    Illegal for all ages (Muslims)
    Resorts World Genting in Genting Highlands is the only casino in Malaysia as of 2022.
    Illegal for all ages
    None
    18
    Illegal for all ages
    21 (casinos)
    18 (lottery)
    Illegal for all ages
    18
    Saudi ArabiaIllegal for all ages
    21 (casinos)
    18 (lottery, sports betting, racing)
    19
    21 (lotteries)
    Illegal for all ages[46]
    20
    18
    Illegal for all ages (casinos)20 (lottery)Gambling is illegal in Thailand, except for the Government lottery.
    18Only the Government lottery and licensed slot machines are legal.[47]
    Illegal for all ages (casinos)
    18 (lotteries)
    Gambling is illegal in Turkey except for lotteries and horse races.
    Illegal for all ages (casinos)
    21 (lotteries)
    Vietnam21

    Africa

    !Country/territory!Minimum age!Notes
    AlgeriaIllegal for all ages
    18
    Botswana18
    18
    21
    Djibouti18 (casinos)
    None (other types)
    Egypt21
    None
    Illegal for all ages
    None (online)
    Illegal for all ages
    None (online)
    NoneThere is no official gambling age; many erroneously believe it to be 18.
    Ghana18
    18
    NoneThere is no official gambling age; many erroneously believe it to be 18.
    LibyaIllegal for all ages
    Malawi18 [48]
    18
    MauritaniaIllegal for all ages
    Morocco18
    18
    Namibia21[49]
    21 (some casinos)
    18 (some other casinos, all other types)
    20[50]
    18
    18
    SomaliaIllegal for all ages
    South Africa18[51]
    None
    SudanIllegal for all ages
    Tanzania18
    TunisiaNoneLegal at any age: unsuccessful attempts have been made to declare gambling illegal outright or impose a minimum age.
    Uganda25

    North America

    !Country/territory!Minimum age!Notes
    NoneCasinos do not exist in Anguilla as of 2023
    18
    18
    18[52]
    18
    Illegal for all ages
    !State!Minimum age!Notes
    Alberta18 (casinos)
    18 (lottery)
    British Columbia19 (casinos)
    19 (lottery)
    Manitoba18 (casinos)
    18 (lottery)
    New Brunswick19 (casinos)
    19 (lottery)
    Newfoundland and Labrador19 (casinos)
    19 (lottery)
    Nova Scotia19 (casinos)
    19 (lottery)
    Ontario19 (casinos)
    18 (lottery)
    Prince Edward Island19 (casinos)
    19 (lottery)
    Quebec18 (casinos)
    18 (lottery)
    Saskatchewan19 (casinos)
    18 (lottery)
    18–19 (varies by province)
    18
    18
    Illegal for All Ages
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18[53]
    21
    18
    18
    18
    21 (casinos)
    18 (other)
    !State!Minimum age!Notes
    Alabama19
    Alaska21
    Arizona21
    Arkansas21
    California21 or 18 (casinos)[54] 18 (Lottery)[55]
    Colorado21 (casinos)
    18 (lottery)[56]
    Connecticut21
    Delaware21 (casinos)
    18 (lottery)[57]
    District of Columbia18
    Florida21 (casinos)
    18 (lottery)[58]
    Georgia18
    Hawaii21
    Idaho18
    Illinois21
    Indiana21
    Iowa21
    Kansas21
    Kentucky18
    Louisiana21
    Maine21 (casinos)
    18 (lottery)
    Maryland21
    Massachusetts21 (casinos)
    18 (lottery)
    Michigan18
    Minnesota18
    Mississippi21
    Missouri21
    Montana18
    Nebraska21
    Nevada21
    New Hampshire21
    New Jersey21
    New Mexico21
    New York18
    North Carolina21
    North Dakota19
    Ohio21 or 18
    Oklahoma18
    Oregon21 (casinos)
    18 (other)
    Pennsylvania21
    Rhode Island18
    South Dakota21
    South Carolina21
    Tennessee21 (sports betting)
    18 (lottery)
    Texas21
    UtahIllegal[59]
    Vermont21
    Virginia21 (casinos)
    18 (other)
    Washington18
    West Virginia21
    Wisconsin21
    Wyoming21
    18, 19, 21 or illegal (varies by state)

    South America

    !Country/territory!Minimum age!Notes
    18
    18This law is not often enforced.
    18
    Illegal for all ages (casinos)
    18 (lottery)
    Gambling is illegal in Brazil, except for the Government lottery.
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18
    18

    Antarctica

    !Country/territory!Minimum age!Notes
    None
    18
    18
    18

    References