How Old to Gamble in Las Vegas | All you wanted to know to play safe and sound

Reflected endlessly in innumerable films and inevitably associated with glamour, lights and gambling, Las Vegas has become one of the most popular destinations in the US and the place everyone wants to go at least once in their lifetime.

Year after year, millions of people come from all over the world to Sin City to enjoy its casinos, many of which are close together on the main strip. However, not everyone can revel in the attractions of Las Vegas. And when you become an adult, you might well want to pay a visit with your friends. However, is not that simple. Given how confusing the US gambling laws can be, though, knowing whether you’re allowed to is a wise starting point.

So, how old to gamble in Las Vegas must you be? Where in the US can you gamble at 18? Let’s find out.

Casinos for 18-year-olds: Where can the New Generation play legally?

Most US states require you to be 21 to enter a casino. However, there are some states where you can start gambling at 18. We’ve listed a few of them in the subsections below.

Alaska

Believe it or not, Alaska, the northernmost US state, allows people to gamble from the age of 18 upwards.

As well as enjoying the stunning and incredible landscape, you’ll be able to gamble at one of the 10 casinos currently operating in the state.

Yes, Alaska is not usually the first choice when it comes to travel, mainly due to its remoteness and cold temperatures. However, it is an exotic destination that can be an escape from traditional travel and make for an unforgettable adventure.

Take in mind that while you can gamble at 18 in Alaska, you must be at least 21 years old if you want to drink alcohol.

Minnesota

Located in the Upper Midwest region of the US, Minnesota is another state that allows gambling at a younger age than many other states. Like Alaska, gambling is allowed at the age of 18 (and no alcohol is allowed under the age of 21) and you won’t be restricted from some of the more popular verticals.

You are not allowed to bet in verticals which are illegal here and some casinos that serve alcoholic beverages might impose some limits so you should check the rules before visiting any of them.

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Florida (In Some Cases)

In Florida, people over 18 can wager on lottery games, poker, bingo, and pari-mutuel betting such as horse racing. However, the minimum gambling age for casino games and slot machines is 21.

Similarly, you cannot drink alcohol if you are under 21, which means you might get turned away from gambling hubs serving alcohol.

New York (In Some Cases)

New York is a top-ranked state in the US by population and draws millions of people each year who want to enjoy the city that never sleeps. As of now, there is only one casino, Resorts World New York City which is a racino that also offers electronic gaming machines (EGMs).

Pari-mutuel betting and similar activities like the lottery have a legal gambling age of 18. In some cases, however, you will need to be 21. Additionally, gambling venues require patrons to be 21 to drink alcohol.

New York plans to grant up to three casino licences, and there are 11 bidders interested. MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands and Caesars Entertainment are among the operators to have set out initial plans. SB 9673 passed by the Senate and the Assembly dictates that the New York Gaming Facility Location Board must make recommendations on candidates by December 31, 2025.

Wyoming

Wyoming, one of the smallest states in the US, with a population of around 580,000, has a legal gambling age lower than what you will find elsewhere.

In this state, you can gamble in all legal verticals as soon as you turn 18 and although gambling options are limited, you will find a selection of casinos dotted throughout the state. Besides, visitors often complement their trips by exploring the state’s natural attractions, such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

Note, however, that while the legal gambling age in Wyoming is 18, you have to be 21 to drink.

Idaho

In Idaho, as in Wyoming, 18 is the minimum age for gambling on all legal verticals. To date, there are more than 30 casinos for 18-year-olds throughout the state, except for one. The Clearwater Casino does not admit anyone under the age of 21.

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Washington (In Some Cases)

You can gamble at various casinos in Washington from the age of 18. Additionally, you can also bet in other verticals such as bingo and authorised gambling activities including, but not limited to, punchboards, pull-tabs, or card games, or participate in fund-raising events.

Some casinos do not allow anyone under the age of 21 to enter, so you should check for these when you visit to ensure you’re allowed inside.

What States Have Casinos? | Much more to discover beyond Las Vegas and Atlantic City

When talking about gambling in the US, there are plenty of options throughout the country, not only in Las Vegas. Close to Nevada, you can find casinos in Arizona. But again, you need to be at least 21.

California also boasts a variety of casinos, and we will delve deeper into its gambling regulations later. Therefore, the question remains: in which states is it allowed to gamble at 18?

Oregon also borders with Nevada and has several tribal casinos. If you are 18, you can participate in a wide range of gambling activities, including horse racing. However, at certain casinos, the minimum age requirement is 21.

Other states with casinos in the US include:

• South Dakota

• Michigan

• Mississippi

• Colorado

When looking at what states have casinos, all but eight states currently have venues of this kind. The states without casinos include Utah, Hawaii, and Kentucky.

But if we are talking about casinos, we must also discuss how old you have to be to gamble in Las Vegas and there is only one answer: you have to be over 21 to gamble in Sin City.

The minimum legal gambling age of 21 also applies to the rest of Nevada, so if you are 18 years old, you won’t be able to try your luck elsewhere in the state.

Besides this, many hotels in Sin City do not allow guests under the age of 21 to stay at their venues. As such, you should check before booking any accommodation that an age restriction doesn’t apply.

Like gambling, the legal drinking age in Nevada is also 21.

How Old to Gamble in California? | It’s not what you think!

As a state that is often described as one of the most liberal in the US, California has had a rather difficult policy evolution as regards gambling. For instance, several attempts over the past few years to make sports betting legal have been blocked.

In California, you have to be at least 18 to gamble in the state. However, the reality is a little more complicated than that.

Even though the minimum legal age to gamble in California is 18, nearly all of the establishments impose a restriction that only admits persons aged 21 years and above. Nevertheless, 18-year-olds are allowed to gamble at tribal casinos and bingo venues without an alcohol licence.

Now, there is something very important you should know. Being aware of how old you have to be to gamble in Las Vegas can save you valuable time and wasted effort if you have not yet reached the legal age. That’s the reason why the gambling age limit in Vegas is also worth knowing. And if you aren’t yet old enough to gamble in Nevada, not all hope is lost; there are still several parts of the US that allow you to wager from 18 onwards.

States allowing 18-year-olds to gamble are spread out across the country, as you have read, and you will find plenty of other fun activities to do on your visit as well. Having read this guide, it is time to plan your trip knowing where in the US you can gamble at 18.

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