Gambling age
Youth rights |
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The gambling age is the minimum age 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. You can find all of this in the tables below.
Countries
Oceania
Country | Age | Notes |
---|---|---|
Australia | 18 | |
Federated States of Micronesia | Dependent on State law[1] | Chuuk – N/A (gambling illegal)[2] |
Kiribati | 18[4] | |
Marshall Islands | N/A | Gambling is illegal, with minor exceptions for non-profit bingo, raffles and cakewalks.[5] |
Nauru | 18[6] | |
New Zealand | 20 (casinos),
18 (horse racing), 18 (instant kiwi) None (other (including lottery))[7] |
|
Palau | 18 | Gambling is illegal in Palau, with exceptions 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] |
Papua New Guinea | 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.[11] For certain small lotteries, one only needs to be 16 in order to buy a ticket.[12] |
Tokelau | N/A | Gaming is illegal (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.[14] 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 and gambling in casinos. |
Europe
By countries:
Country/territory | Minimum age | Notes |
---|---|---|
Albania | 18 | |
Andorra | None | |
Austria | 18[18] | |
Belarus | 18 | |
Belgium | 21 (Casinos)
18 (national lottery) |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina | None | |
Bulgaria | 18 | |
Croatia | 18,
None (non-casino machines, and private) |
|
Czech Republic | 18 | |
Denmark | 18;
None (sports betting)[19] |
|
Estonia | 21 | |
Faroe Islands | 18 | |
Finland | 18 | |
France | 18 | Lowered from 21 to 18 on May 5, 1987, for casinos. |
Germany | 18 | |
Gibraltar | 18[20] | |
Greece | 23[21] | |
Guernsey | 18 | |
Hungary | 18[22] | |
Iceland | 18 | |
Ireland | 18 | |
Isle of Man | 18 | |
Italy | 18[23] | |
Kosovo | 18 | |
Latvia | 18[24] | |
Liechtenstein | 18 | |
Lithuania | 18[25] | |
Luxembourg | 18[26] | |
Malta | 18[27] 25[28] for Maltese Citizens | |
Moldova | 18 | |
Monaco | 18[29] | |
Montenegro | 18 | |
Netherlands | 18 | |
North Macedonia | 18 | |
Norway | 18 | |
Poland | 18[30] | |
Portugal | 25 (some casinos)
18 (some other casinos, and all other types)[21] |
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. |
Romania | 18 | |
San Marino | 18[31] | |
Serbia | 18[32] | |
Slovakia | 18[33] | |
Slovenia | 18[34] | |
Spain | 18[21] | |
Sweden | 20 (casinos),[35]
18 (other)[36] |
|
Switzerland | 18[37] | |
Turkey | 18 | |
Ukraine | 18 | |
UK (United Kingdom) | 18
None (see the table below for more information)[38] |
|
Vatican City | None |
United Kingdom
Gambling ages in the United Kingdom are set out in the Gambling Act 2005: Part 4, Protection of children and young persons.
Type of gambling | Minimum age |
Relevant sections of the Act |
---|---|---|
Gambling in casinos or other licensed gambling premises It is illegal to permit any person under the age of 18 to enter a licensed gambling premises. The only exception is licensed family entertainment centres. |
18 |
46, 47, 48 and 49 |
Gaming machine (Machine category: A, B1, B2, B3, B3A, B4, C) |
18 |
47 and 48 |
Gaming machine (Machine category: D) |
None |
46 (2)(e) and 48 (2)(e) |
National lottery | 18 |
48 (2)(c) |
Scratchcards | 18 |
48 (2)(c) |
Football pool | 16 |
48 (2)(d) |
Private or non-commercial gaming and betting | None |
48 (2)(a)&(b) |
Equal chance gaming in accordance with a prize gaming permit, or Equal chance gaming at a licensed family entertainment centre |
None |
48 (2)(f)&(g) |
Prize gaming at a non-licensed family entertainment centre, or Prize gaming at a travelling fair |
None |
48 (2)(h)&(i) |
Asia
Country/territory | Minimum age | Notes |
---|---|---|
Akrotiri and Dhekelia | 18 | |
Afghanistan | Illegal;
None (online) |
Casinos and lottery are forbidden, BUT online gambling is legal at any age. |
Armenia | 21[39] | |
Azerbaijan | 18 | |
Bahrain | Illegal | |
Bangladesh | None | |
British Indian Ocean Territory | 18 | |
Brunei Darussalam | Illegal | |
Cambodia | None | |
China | Illegal (casinos)
18 (lottery) |
Gambling is illegal in China except for lottery |
Christmas Island | 18 | |
Cocos (Keeling) Islands | 18 | |
Cyprus | 18[40] | |
Georgia | 18 | |
Hong Kong | 18 | |
India | 21 | |
Indonesia | Illegal | Gambling is illegal in Indonesia |
Israel | 18 | |
Japan | 20[41] | Majority is lowered to 18, but gambling age still stays at 20 (both lottery and casino). |
Kyrgyzstan | 18 | |
Laos | 18[42] | |
Lebanon | 21 | |
Macau | 21 | |
Malaysia | 21 | Resorts World Genting in Genting Highlands is the only casino in Malaysia. Muslims are not allowed to participate. |
Maldives | Illegal | |
Mongolia | None | |
Myanmar | 18 | |
Northern Cyprus | 18 | |
Pakistan | Illegal | |
Philippines | 21 (Casinos)
18 (Lottery) |
|
Qatar | Illegal | |
Russia | 18 | |
Saudi Arabia | Illegal | |
Singapore | 21 (Casinos) 18 (Lottery & sports racing) |
|
South Korea | 19 | |
Syria | Illegal[43] | |
Taiwan | 21 | |
Thailand | Illegal (Casinos)
20 (Lottery) |
Gambling is illegal in Thailand, except for Government Lottery |
Tajikistan | 18 | |
UAE | Illegal | |
Vietnam | 21 |
Africa
Country/territory | Minimum age | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria | Illegal; | |
Angola | 18 | |
Botswana | 18 | |
Burkina Faso | 18 | |
Cote d'Ivoire | 21 | |
Djibouti | 18 (casinos)
None (other types) |
|
Egypt | 21 | |
Equatorial Guinea | None | |
Eritrea | Illegal;
None (online) |
|
Ethiopia | Illegal;
None (online) |
|
Gabon | None | There is no official gambling age, although many incorrectly believe it to be 18. |
Ghana | 18 | |
Guinea | 18 | |
Guinea Bissau | None | There is no official gambling age, although many incorrectly believe it to be 18. |
Libya | Illegal | |
Malawi | 18 [44] | |
Mali | 18 | |
Mauritania | Illegal | |
Morocco | 18 | |
Mozambique | 18 | |
Namibia | 21[45] | |
Niger | 21 (some casinos)
18 (some other casinos, and all other types) |
|
Nigeria | 20 | |
Senegal | 18 | |
Seychelles | 18 | |
Somalia | Illegal | |
South Africa | 18[46] | |
South Sudan | None | |
Sudan | Illegal | |
Tanzania | 18 | |
Tunisia | None | Legal at any age: from unsuccessful attempt to declare it illegal at any age. |
Uganda | 18 |
North America
Country/territory | Minimum age | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Anguilla | None, but currently casinos do not exist there | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Antigua and Barbuda | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bahamas | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Barbados | 18[47] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Belize | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
British Virgin Islands | Illegal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Canada | Casinos: 19, 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec
Lottery: 18, 19 in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador |
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Cayman Islands | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Costa Rica | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cuba | Illegal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dominica | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dominican Republic | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
El Salvador | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greenland | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Guatemala | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Haiti | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Honduras | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jamaica | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mexico | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nicaragua | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Panama | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Puerto Rico | 18[48] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saint Kitts and Nevis | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saint Lucia | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Turks and Caicos Islands | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
US Virgin Islands | 21 (casinos);
18 (other) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States
|
18, 19, 21, Illegal (varies by state) |
South America
Country/territory | Minimum age | Notes |
---|---|---|
Argentina | 18 | |
Aruba | 18 | Often unenforced. |
Bolivia | 18 | |
Brazil | Illegal (Casinos)
18 (Lottery) |
Gambling is illegal in Brazil, except for Government Lottery |
Chile | 18 | |
Colombia | 18 | |
Curacao | 18 | |
Ecuador | 18 | |
Falkland Islands | 18 | |
French Guiana | 18 | |
Guyana | 18 | |
Paraguay | 18 | |
Peru | 18 | |
Suriname | 18 | |
Trinidad and Tobago | 18 | |
Uruguay | 18 | |
Venezuela | 18 |
Antarctica
Country/territory | Minimum age | Notes |
---|---|---|
Antarctica | None | |
French Southern and Antarctic Lands | 18 | |
Heard and McDonald Islands | 18 | |
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands | 18 |
References
- ^ Gambling regulation is a State responsibility: Pacific Coast Enterprises v. Chuuk, 9 FSM Intrm. 543, 546 (Chk. S. Ct. Tr. 2000).
- ^ 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).
- ^ 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.)
- ^ Gambling and Lotteries Act 1988, s7(i).
- ^ Gaming and Recreation Prohibition Act 1998 [31 MIRC Ch.4].
- ^ Gaming Act 2011, s10(c).
- ^ "Age limit plan for pokies". 2000-06-30. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
- ^ Penal Code of the Republic of Palau, Chapter 50.
- ^ Penal Code of the Republic of Palau, § 5010.
- ^ "Domestic Relations - Title 21". www.paclii.org.
- ^ a b Gaming and Lotteries Act, s3(3).
- ^ Gaming and Lotteries Act, s15(2)(m).
- ^ Crimes, Procedure and Evidence Rules 2003, s64.
- ^ a b Gaming and Lotteries Act, s3(3).
- ^ Gaming and Lotteries Act, s9(2)(m).
- ^ Vanuatu Interactive Gaming Act, s18.
- ^ Casino Control Act, s44(4).
- ^ "Austria: European Casino Association (ECA)". www.europeancasinoassociation.org. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "International Comparative Legal Guides". International Comparative Legal Guides International Business Reports. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "Practical Law UK Signon". signon.thomsonreuters.com. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ a b c "European Gambling Policies for the Young". www.legalgamblingage.net. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ "Hungary: European Casino Association (ECA)". www.europeancasinoassociation.org. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ World Casinos Info, https://www.worldcasinos.info/italy.
- ^ "Latvia: European Casino Association (ECA)". www.europeancasinoassociation.org. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "Lithuania: European Casino Association (ECA)". www.europeancasinoassociation.org. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "Luxembourg: European Casino Association (ECA)". www.europeancasinoassociation.org. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "Practical Law UK Signon". signon.thomsonreuters.com. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ Bonello, Emerson (2016). "Rationale behind different age requirements to enter casinos in Malta and their compatibility with Article 45 of the Maltese Constitution".
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ "Monte Carlo Casino | Monaco". Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ "Poland: European Casino Association (ECA)". www.europeancasinoassociation.org. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ "San Marino: European Casino Association (ECA)". www.europeancasinoassociation.org. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ "Serbia: European Casino Association (ECA)". www.europeancasinoassociation.org. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ "Slovakia: European Casino Association (ECA)". www.europeancasinoassociation.org. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "Slovenia: European Casino Association (ECA)". www.europeancasinoassociation.org. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "Vanliga frågor om Club Cosmopol". Casino Cosmopol (in Swedish). Retrieved 2019-11-18.
- ^ "For the love of Sweden!". Swedish Freak. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "Switzerland: European Casino Association (ECA)". www.europeancasinoassociation.org. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "How Is Gambling Regulated? | BeGambleAware | BeGambleAware". www.begambleaware.org. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ "Armenia Adopts Gambling Adverts Restrictions". Casino News Daily. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
- ^ "Practical Law UK Signon". signon.thomsonreuters.com. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ "Japan Gvt to lower age of adulthood to 18; gambling age will remain 20". World Casino News. 2017-08-15. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ "Gambling Age In Laos". webcache.googleusercontent.com. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
- ^ "Syrian Arab Republic Online Gambling Restrictions". lcb.org. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
- ^ Administrator, Website. "Malawi Gaming Board, Police warn illegal gamblers". www.gamingboard.org.mw.
- ^ "African Gambling Laws – The Legality of Casinos in Africa". www.gamblingsites.org. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
- ^ "South African Gambling – Online and Offline". www.gamblingafrica.com. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
- ^ "Gambling in Barbados". The Bajan Reporter. 2011-09-05. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ "What is the gambling age for the casino at the..." www.tripadvisor.co.za. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
- ^ "California Gambling Control Commission". www.cgcc.ca.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
- ^ "Responsible Gaming | California State Lottery". www.calottery.com. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
- ^ Colorado Lottery Rules and Regulations 1.3.3(a)
- ^ "Chapter - Delaware General Assembly". legis.delaware.gov. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
- ^ "Statutes & Constitution :Constitution : Online Sunshine". www.leg.state.fl.us. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
- ^ "Utah Code Section 76-10-1102". le.utah.gov. Retrieved 2021-08-01.