Minimum Gambling Age By State

  1. Casino Ages By State
  2. Minimum Age For Casinos
  3. Gambling Age In Us

The minimum gambling age within each state is affected by various factors such as game selected and licensor. By this, we mean state-regulated online gambling options require domestic players, whether residents or visitors, to abide by the state's minimum gambling age for that form of gambling on land within the state's borders. The minimum gambling age is 21 for playing at all Maryland casinos and is 18 for pari-mutuel wagering. Smoking is prohibited in all Maryland casinos. All casinos in Maryland are open 24 hours and, unless otherwise noted, offer: slots, video poker, video keno, craps, blackjack, roulette and three card poker.

Of all the questions that a potential sports bettor may have, finding out the legal sports betting age by state should be a top priority. Underage gambling is a serious offense that can be easily avoided by equipping yourself with basic sports betting knowledge. While we can look to federal laws to find out legal answers related to most aspects of sports betting, the legal betting age is different. Instead of one universal sports betting age, the legal age to bet on sports is determined by each individual state. While online sportsbooks may have their own minimum sports betting ages in place, potential sports bettors will still need to research their state-specific betting age.

In the states that do not operate land-based sportsbooks, the age for legal sports betting will often coincide with the casino gambling age. In the majority of the United States, residents will need to be at least 21 years old before betting on sports. There are a handful of states that permit betting at a younger age.

  • There are no options for legal sports betting if you are under the age of 18
  • 15 US States allow legal sports betting at the age of 18

Sports Betting Ages By State

Each state is different, but the legal sports betting age by state is almost always 21, while the legal lottery and pari-mutuel betting age is usually 18 (except for Alabama, where all gambling ages are 19 for some reason). The following age minimums for sports betting are what you should stick to, listed alphabetically by state. (Note: The states with an age range indicate areas where there is a different limit for commercial vs. tribal casino gaming and betting, and you can typically err on the side of the lower age.)

  • Alabama Betting Age – 19
  • Alaska Betting Age – 19
  • Arizona Betting Age – 21
  • Arkansas Betting Age – 21
  • California Betting Age – 18-21
  • Colorado Betting Age – 21
  • Connecticut Betting Age – 21
  • Delaware Betting Age – 21
  • Florida Betting Age – 21
  • Georgia Betting Age – 21
  • Hawaii Betting Age – 18
  • Idaho Betting Age – 21
  • Illinois Betting Age – 21
  • Indiana Betting Age – 21
  • Iowa Betting Age – 21
  • Kansas Betting Age – 21
  • Kentucky Betting Age – 18
  • Louisiana Betting Age – 21
  • Maine Betting Age – 21
  • Maryland Betting Age – 21
  • Massachusetts Betting Age – 21
  • Michigan Betting Age – 18-21
  • Minnesota Betting Age – 18-21
  • Mississippi Betting Age – 21
  • Missouri Betting Age – 21
  • Montana Betting Age – 18
  • Nebraska Betting Age – 21
  • Nevada Betting Age – 21
  • New Hampshire Betting Age – 21
  • New Jersey Betting Age – 21
  • New Mexico Betting Age – 21
  • New York Betting Age – 21
  • North Carolina Betting Age – 21
  • North Dakota Betting Age – 21
  • Ohio Betting Age – 21
  • Oklahoma Betting Age – 18-21
  • Oregon Betting Age – 18-21
  • Pennsylvania Betting Age – 21
  • Rhode Island Betting Age – 18
  • South Carolina Betting Age – 21
  • South Dakota Betting Age – 21
  • Tennessee Betting Age – 18
  • Texas Betting Age – 21
  • Utah Betting Age – 18
  • Vermont Betting Age – 18
  • Virginia Betting Age – 18
  • Washington Betting Age – 18-21
  • West Virginia Betting Age – 21
  • Wisconsin Betting Age – 21
  • Wyoming Betting Age – 18

Legal Sports Betting Age At Land-Based Sportsbooks

Generally speaking, the legal sports betting age at land-based sportsbooks is 21 years old. Now that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA, 1992) has been overturned, each state is allowed to set its own age minimums for its own sports wagering industry. Most states have chosen 21, as this aligns well with their existing gambling policies at the venues where new sports betting lounges are opening. In some ways, it’s silly to sort out any legal sports betting age by state, as almost all of them seem to be in agreement on this one point (and only this one point, truth be told).

The caveat here comes when the entirety of a state’s gambling market is tribal in nature, with casinos located totally on sovereign tribal land (i.e. reservations). In these states, there are often added challenges to getting new sports betting laws passed, as the tribes tend to have sweeping exclusivity deals as part of their state compacts. It is conceivable that in such states, where sports wagering is limited to tribal venues, that the sports betting age would be 18, in line with most pari-mutuel and lottery age minimums nationwide.

Legal Sports Betting Age At Online Sportsbooks

The legal sports betting age at online sportsbooks can be different depending on where you live. For example, Rhode Island, Oregon, and New Hampshire only require people who are using online sportsbooks to be 18 years old or older. However, in places such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, you have to be 21 years old or older in order to use online sportsbooks. A general rule of thumb to follow is to check your state’s casino gambling laws as those are the ones usually used to define the required sports betting age.

When it comes to using online offshore sportsbooks, those sites usually require users to be 18 years old or older. However, if your state’s sports betting laws require bettors to be 21 years old or older than you will have to follow that guideline before using offshore options. This will ensure that you are totally safe when using these sites, otherwise, you may run the risk of running into trouble down the line. These offshore sites take underage gambling very seriously and those that are caught betting as a minor will have their winnings confiscated and their account terminated.

The Risk Of Underage Sports Betting

As noted above, the main risk of underage sports betting is that you will be banned and lose all your money. That should be deterrent enough, but many states do have laws in place that – at least cursorily – apply to sports bettors gambling under the age of 21 (or 18). The legal penalties in these states for betting underage vary from low-level misdemeanors to low-level felonies for repeat offenders. There are also fines involved, ranging from $50 in some states to over $1000 in others. Still, these laws are almost never enforced, and nobody has ever been arrested or fined simply for wagering on sports over the Internet at an offshore book.

Legal Horse Betting Age

The legal horse betting age is the same as it is for sports betting on the list above. Horse betting is one of the reasons that legal gambling ages exist in the first place, so it is no wonder that they use the same laws as casinos and sportsbooks. Overall, if you are 21 then you can bet on horses and are old enough to bet on sports anywhere in the world. If you are over 18, then you are only old enough to bet on horses in these states.

Alabama – California – Hawaii – Kentucky – Michigan – Montana – Oklahoma – Oregon – Rhode Island – Tennessee – Utah – Vermont – Virginia – Washigton – Wyoming

Why Is There A Minimum Age Limit To Bet On Sports?
When it comes to betting on sports inside of a casino sportsbook, there is often an age restriction because the sportsbook will serve alcohol on the premises. In order for the casino to keep their liquor license and comply with the federal law, everyone in their building must be 21 or older. Certain states, such as Rhode Island, have sportsbooks that accept bettors as young as 18 because state laws will allow them to. When it comes to betting on sports online most of the sites in the US will set their age restriction according to the state that they are based in. When using on offshore sports betting site, most of them will set their minimum age at 18 because that is the legal age to gamble in the country that they are based in.
How Do I Verify My Age To A Sportsbook?
Whether you’re trying to place a sports wager in-person or online, you will have to show proof of a government-issued ID. Even if the online sportsbook you’re using is based overseas, you will have to provide a copy of your ID so that they can ensure you’re not making multiple accounts and so that they can send any winnings to the proper person.
Is There An Age Limit To Go Inside Of A Sportsbook?

Yes, and as of right now, almost every legal land-based sportsbook in the US requires anyone trying to enter the venue to be 21 or older. Only Rhode Island, New York, and Montana will allow bettors as young as 18 to enter their sportsbook. Some casinos have their own betting apps or post their odds on their website so you can view lines from there, but in order to physically enter the casino or racino you must meet their age requirement.

Will I Get In Trouble If I Am Sports Betting Underage?
Yes, and the penalties range by state and by the sportsbook. If you are caught betting on sports underage at a land-based sportsbook you could, at the very least, be charged with a misdemeanor, forfeit your winnings, and pay a fine to the state. If you’re caught betting underage through an online offshore sportsbook you will forfeit any winnings in your account and potentially be banned for the site for life.
Where Can I Bet On Sports Under 21?

As of right now, your only land-based options would be in Rhode Island and New York. Once Montana launches their sports betting operations those would become an option as well. The same goes for sports betting in New Hampshire. Oregon will let those 18 years old or older to use the lottery’s mobile sportsbook known as Scoreboard. Some states that are working on sports betting legislation are aiming to set the legal gambling age at 18 as well. We will update you as soon as we have confirmation on which states do so. Online offshore sportsbooks will normally accept members 18 or older, but it is best to comply with the age requirement set by your state. If you take a look at the list above, we have laid out which states you can start online sports betting under the age of 21.

What Is The Legal Age For Horse Betting?

Most states have set the legal age for horse race betting at 18 or older. This includes betting on live races and simulcast races. However, there are a handful of states, such as Arizona, that require pari-mutuel bettors to be 21 or older. There are even some states that say you have to be 19 or older to bet on the ponies, so be sure to check your state laws. Most online racebooks will require their users to be at least 18 or older in order to bet on the races.

Which Online Sportsbooks And Betting Apps Do Not Check Age?
The answer is none, and in the off chance that you do find one that doesn’t check, we suggest that you steer clear of it. Online sportsbooks that do not check age show that they lack the care to abide by their countries laws and could be an outright scam. If you are under the age of 18 or 21 we suggest that you wait and study the industry so that when you become of the legal age in your state you will be well-versed in sports betting and ready to start winning.
What is the legal sports betting age at Bovada?

The legal sports betting age at Bovada is 18, no matter what state you live in. But, you are kind of breaking the law still by doing this within your state borders if the law says that you need to be 21. However, there has never been a single person arrested for underage gambling online and you really have nothing to worry about. But, if you are under 18 then rest assured that your account will be closed and your money confiscated.

Michigan is an extremely liberal state when it comes to gambling. Horse racing dates back to the Great Depression. A state lottery and charitable gaming were added in the 1970’s. Charities may offer more than typical bingo games. This includes casino and poker nights. Tribal casinos opened in the 1990’s.

Voters approved Detroit casinos in 1997 to recapture money going to tribes and across the U.S. border in Windsor. Casino Locations: Detroit, Christmas, Wayland Township, Standish, Baraga, New Buffalo, Battle Creek, Dowagiac, Brimley, Sault St. Marie, Petoskey, Mackinaw City, Williamsburg, Watersmeet, Mt. Pleasant, Lansing, Suttons Bay, Hessel, St. Ignace, Manistee, Marquette, Harris, Fruitport, Vanderbilt, Manistique and Hartford.

Michigan Casinos & Gambling
Michigan Legal Gambling Age18 – 21
Number of Casinos41
Estimated Casino Revenue$3.8 Billion
Smoking banExempts casinos
Can You Gamble Online in Michigan?Yes
Michigan Online GamblingHorse Racing & Lottery

Paying Gambling Taxes in Michigan

With our exclusive Gambling Taxes Guide you can learn how to report your gambling winnings and deduct losses. Get helpful tips straight from a Certified Public Accountant.

Guide to Michigan Casinos Map

States with 18 gambling age
  • Greektown
  • MotorCity
  • MGM Grand
  • Firekeepers
  • Little River Casino
  • 22
  • 37
  • 19

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Types of Online Gambling Allowed in Michigan

There are two types of online gambling that are legal in Michigan. Off-track betting is permitted through TVG and XpressBet. Only horses may be wagered through websites and mobile apps. Greyhound bets are not permitted.

The other form of legal online gambling in Michigan is through the state lottery. Lotto tickets are sold on the state’s website. This includes Fantasy 5, Lotto 47, Powerball, and Mega Millions. There are instant games that resemble pulls on a slot machine. There is also a video keno game that is the site’s most popular feature.

The Michigan Gaming Control Boarddeclared daily fantasy sports to be illegal in the state. This did not stop the sites from continuing to operate there. DraftKings and FanDuel are among the sites that accept players from Michigan.

Types of Live Gambling Allowed in Michigan

Horse racing is the oldest form of regulated gambling in Michigan. There are four racetracks in Michigan. Live dates are declining with each year as the industry contracts. Each track offers a race book.

Charities may spread several forms of gambling for fundraising purposes. This includes bingo, raffles, casino nights and poker tournaments. Lottery tickets may be purchased at retailers.

There are nearly two-dozen Michigan casinos. Most are on Native American land. Three are in Detroit. Permitted games include slots, video poker, live poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, and house-banked poker games.

Types of Legal Gambling in Michigan
Game TypeIs it Legal?
SlotsYes
BlackjackYes
PokerYes
Craps/RouletteNo
Horse RacingYes
LotteryYes
Sports BettingYes

Michigan Gambling Laws

Michigan permits a variety of gambling, but it also has strict penalties for those that do not follow them. There are 21 gambling crimes that are misdemeanors. There are eight felonies related to illegal gambling. Games of skill are still considered gambling in Michigan if played for money and not expressly permitted under state law.
The state licenses racetracks to offer horse racing but not greyhound events. Racebooks and mobile apps are permitted to accept action on races that occur out of state.

The Michigan Lottery is the only entity permitted to operate games of chance throughout the state. It is permitted to also offer these games over the Internet.

Michigan casinos are only permitted on reservations or in the city limits of Detroit. The state takes 24 percent of the net win from Detroit casinos. This was raised from 18 percent in 2004. Tribal casinos do not pay taxes to the state. All games that would be found in the traditional casino are legal. This includes slots, video poker, electronic table games, live poker, craps, roulette, blackjack and any card game deemed legal by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

The minimum age to gamble in Michigan is 18 years for lotteries, charitable gambling, and horse racing. Michigan casinos may permit 18-year-olds if there is no alcohol served. Otherwise, the minimum age is 21 years.

To learn about online casino laws in other states, visit our US States Casinos page.

Where to Gamble in Michigan

There are more than 20 charity poker rooms in Michigan. There are also thousands of lottery retailers.

Michigan Casinos and Locations

CasinoSizeAddressWebsite
Bay Mills Casino – Brimley980 Slot Machines11386 West Lakeshore Drivewww.baymillscasinos.com
FireKeepers Casino – Battle Creek2,680 Slot Machines11177 East Michigan Avenuewww.firekeeperscasino.com
Four Winds – Dowagiac300 Slot Machines58700 M-51www.fourwindscasino.com
Four Winds Casino – Hartford500 Slot Machines68600 Red Arrow Highwaywww.fourwindscasino.com
Four Winds Casino – New Buffalo3,000 Slot Machines11111 Wilson Roadwww.fourwindscasino.com
Greektown – Detroit2,600 Slot Machines555 East Lafayette Boulevardwww.greektowncasino.com
Gun Lake Casino – Wayland Township1,600 Slot Machines1123 129th Avenuewww.gunlakecasino.com
Island Resort – Harris1,200 Slot MachinesW399 US2&41www.islandresortandcasino.com
Kewadin Casino – Christmas245 Slot Machines7761 Candy Cane Lanewww.kewadinchristmas.com
Kewadin Casino – Hessel150 Slot Machines3395 3-Mile Roadwww.kewadinhessel.com
Kewadin Casino – Lansing3,000 Slot MachinesMichigan Avenue and Cedar Streetwww.kewadin.com
Kewadin Casino – Manistique275 Slot Machines5630 US-2www.kewadinmanistique.com
Kewadin Casino – Sault Ste. Marie700 Slot Machines2186 Shunk Roadwww.kewadinsault.com
Kewadin Casino – St. Ignace820 Slot Machines3015 Mackinac Trailwww.kewadinstignace.com
Kings Club Casino – Brimley250 Slot Machines12140 West Lakshore Drivewww.baymillscasinos.com
Lac Vieux Desert Casino – Watersmeet749 Slot Machines5384 Highway 45 Northwww.lvdcasino.com
Lakeshore Casino – Fruitport1,700 Slot MachinesEllis RoadPlanned Project
Leelanau Sands Casino – Peshawbestown450 Slot Machines2521 N.W. Bayshore Drivewww.leelanausandscasino.com
Little River Casino – Manistee1,500 Slot Machines2700 Orchard Highwaywww.lrcr.com
MGM Grand – Detroit4,129 Slot Machines1777 Third Streetwww.mgmgranddetroit.com
MotorCity Casino – Detroit2,700 Slot Machines2901 Grand River Avenuewww.motorcitycasino.com
Odawa Casino – Mackinaw CityUnder Construction1028 Nicolet Streetwww.odawacasino.com
Odawa Casino – Petoskey1,500 Slot Machines1760 Lears Roadwww.odawacasino.com
Ojibwa Casino – Baraga331 Slot Machines16449 Michigan Avenuewww.ojibwacasino.com
Ojibwa Casino – Marquette309 Slot Machines105 Acre Trailwww.ojibwacasino.com
Saganing Eagles Landing – Standish848 Slot Machines2690 Worth Roadwww.saganing-eagleslanding.com
Saginaw Chippewa Bingo – Mt. Pleasant848 Slot Machines7070 East Broadway Roadwww.sagchip.org
Soaring Eagle Casino – Mt. Pleasant4,200 Slot Machines6800 Soaring Eagle Boulevardwww.soaringeaglecasino.com
Turtle Creek Casino – Williamsburg1,331 Slot Machines7741 M-72 Eastwww.turtlecreekcasino.com

There are two racetracks in Michigan that operate in 2016:

RacetrackLive RacingAddressWebsite
Hazel Park RacewayThoroughbreds1650 East 10 Mile Roadwww.hazelparkraceway.com
Northville DownsThoroughbreds & Harness301 South Center Streetwww.northvilledowns.com

Michigan Gambling History

The Racing Act of 1933 brought legalized gambling to Michigan. This created the Office of Racing Commissioner and pari-mutuel pools for horseracing. Horseracing peaked in the mid-1900’s. It began a decline after tribal casinos started to open in the 1990’s. There are just three racetracks that hold live races each year while a fourth one remains in limbo.

Voters approved a state lottery on May 16, 1972. The first scratch-off ticket was sold on October 7, 1975. The first lotto ticket was sold for a Pick 3 drawing on June 6, 1977. Michigan joined interstate lotto pools on June 11, 1996. Pull tabs and keno games were installed at bars in 2003. The Michigan Lottery launched internet games in 2014. This includes the sale of lotto drawing tickets. There are also instant games that mimic slots and a video keno game available on the Michigan Lottery website.

Act 382 was passed in 1972. It permitted charities to spread games of chance to raise funds for nonprofit organizations. Bingo, raffles and other drawings. Casino-style gaming was added to charity laws in 2007.

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe opened the first reservation casino in Mt. Pleasant in 1993. Gaming eventually expanded to more than a dozen tribes in 20 locations. In November 1996, voters approved the expansion of gambling to Detroit. Three Michigan casinos operate there today. The original tax rate for Detroit casinos was 18 percent. It was raised to 24 percent in 2004.Michigan enacted a smoking ban on May 1, 2010. The law exempts Detroit casinos. This was done because state smoking bans do not apply to reservations and would have left Detroit casinos at a competitive disadvantage.

Michigan Regulated Gambling
Racing1933
Lottery1972
Bingo1972
Tribal1993
Detroit Casinos1997
Lottery Internet Games2014

Michigan Gambling FAQ

Yes. It has been since 1933.

What horse racing tracks are still open in Michigan?

Hazel Park and Northville Downs offer live horse racing and race books in Michigan. Sports Creek has been permanently shut down.

They are not, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board. This has not stopped sites from accepting Michigan players.

Charity poker rooms, reservation casinos and the ones in Detroit all offer legal poker rooms.

Slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Pai Gow Poker, baccarat and live poker are among the approved games in Michigan casinos.

Michigan casinos are exempted from the statewide smoking ban.

The only forms of online gambling legal are off-track betting and lottery games.

Ages

Casino Ages By State

What games are sold by the Michigan Lottery over the Internet?

Minimum Age For Casinos

Video keno, instant scratch-off tickets, and lotto drawings are sold by the Michigan Lottery on its website.

Gambling Age In Us

The minimum age for lotteries, charity gaming, and horseracing is 18. Casinos that do not serve alcohol may permit 18-year-olds. Casinos with alcohol must limit players to those 21 years of age or older.