How Old Do You Need To Be To Place A Wager?

To be honest, I never had such a problem, as I was over 21 when I started to gamble online.

But this is an exciting topic, as with the evolution of the internet and social media, underaged people can see a lot of betting site offers. And those offers can lure them into trying to do something potentially illegal.

Different countries and cultures have a different set of rules when it comes to the age restrictions in the gambling industry.

Legal gambling age

Some countries prohibit gambling entirely (China, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, etc.). And some countries prohibit just online gambling (Czech Republic, Iceland, for example). Still, most of the countries have similar rules when it comes to underaged betting.

Here’s all the information that you need to know about the legal gambling age around the World.

Always Check for the Gambling Regulations and Laws

No doubt, there are several rules that you need to follow when you decide to gamble online. As we suggested several times, it is crucial to find a legal and licensed sportsbook to register and deposit your money.

Before you decide where to register, it is smart to read objective and comprehensive reviews of those sportsbooks. So that you can make a firm and informative decision.

Grades from those reviews and player ratings will be a clear indicator if the sportsbook is legit and respectable. Also, if there is such a feature, you can test the sportsbook with their no deposit bonus money.

In terms of age restrictions, you should always be aware of rules and regulations for every country that you want to play in. Your country of residence and if you travel, the countries where you want to gamble.

Age restrictions are different in different countries. But there is none in the world where people under 18 years old are allowed to gamble legally.

Sportsbooks are rather strict when it comes to underaged betting. They have many security protocols to determine that the bettors are of legal age. Customers may be asked to provide ID with the picture (passport, driver’s license, or ID card). If you try to trick sportsbook, you are taking the risk to be suspended or banned for life from that particular sportsbook.

Legal Gambling Age in the USA

In the United States of America, gambling is legal under federal law, but people under a certain age aren’t allowed to gamble locally or online. Each state regulates gambling and legal gambling age according to the judgment of their lawmakers.

In most US states, bettors need to be 21 to bet on sports, but in four states, the age restriction is set at 18 years old. Those four states are Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, and Wyoming. In the rest of the states to gamble legally, you will need to be 21 years old.

Legal Gambling Age in the rest of the World

gambling age

In other countries, there are different rules about gambling, as some of the nations are entirely open to it (Germany, Spain), while some of the nations completely banned traditional gambling (Russia, Czech Republic). Also, there are countries where it is illegal to gamble for native citizens, while tourists can gamble freely.

In most European countries, bettors need to be 18 to gamble legally. But in Belgium, Ireland and Germany age restriction are set at 21. But then, in Greece for example, you need to be at least 23 to gamble legally, and in Portugal, native citizens must be at least 25 to gamble, but tourists need to be just 18 years old.

Asian countries have a different set of rules. For example, in Japan, it is illegal to gamble in a casino, but it is legal to bet on horse racing, boat racing, and dog racing.

The legal age for betting in Japan is set at 20. Another interesting country is Macau, where you can find hundreds of traditional casinos, and may high rollers love to go there.

But for native citizens, it is illegal to gamble under the age of 21. But tourists can gamble if they have 18 or more years.

In Muslim countries, gambling is prohibited entirely, but many of those countries allow gambling tourism. So, it is essential to check before you go to some of the Muslim countries if it is legal for foreigners to gamble there.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are different rules in different countries. But in general, if you are under 18 years old, you are not allowed to gamble at all.

If you are legally old enough to gamble, the n you should take a look at some of our betting articles, and learn how to bet more efficiently.   

FAQ

Can you bet online if you are under 18 years old?

Online betting is illegal for persons under 18 years, and it is considered a criminal activity. The minor could be convinced of underage gambling.

Which is the best betting site?

There are many excellent and respected online sports betting sites, and there is no universal answer to this question. We always suggest our customers read several reviews before making an informed decision.

Is online betting legal in the USA?

There is no federal law against playing online, but every state has its own set of rules about sports betting.