What Is the Minimum Age to Play at a Casino?

When you first consider entering the online gambling world, there is some legislation that you have to keep in mind. As they say, it's all fun and games, but it's still important to play responsibly and only if you are above the required age.

Laws vary across countries, but we'll try to give a general overview of what policies are established in different parts of the world. Keep reading to learn how old you must be to enjoy casino games.

Overview of Gambling Laws

When it comes to gambling on the whole, most nations acknowledge it as a legit pastime. But they do have regulations and require casino websites to be licensed. The two jurisdictions that aren’t the best destinations for players are Russia and the Czech Republic, where gambling is banned completely. But as far as it concerns allowed countries, with modern technology, it’s not really an issue to gain access to an online casino from anywhere.

However, not everyone can join an online casino as playing for money is prohibited for minors. The biggest markets in the gambling industry tend to impose the same age restriction: you should be at least 18 years old to gamble. Bear in mind that rules change and that what applies to land-based casinos may not apply to online gambling platforms.

Gambling Age in the US and Canada

To engage in gambling activity in the US, you have to be 18-21 years old, depending on the state of residence. In the majority of states, the restriction is set at 18, with the exceptions of Arizona (21), Iowa (21), Louisiana (21), and Nebraska (19).

There are also some specifics that you need to account for, such as whether particular games and bets are allowed in your state. For example, online poker is legal in New Jersey, but not in some other states.

As for Canada, the minimum age is 18, except for Manitoba, Quebec, and Alberta. In these provinces, you have to be at least 19 years old.

Gambling Age in Europe and the UK

Since the EU has unified most legislation in member countries, it's very easy to be aware of the laws even when traveling. In 43 European countries, the legal age to play at a casino is 18.

The only two exceptions are Greece with its requirement for gamblers to be 23 or older, and Portugal where players need to be 25 years old. Also, it’s important to mention that some jurisdictions reserve the right to not let you in if you’re under 25.

The UK is similar to the EU – you have to be 18 or over. But when it comes to non-commercial gambling, or low stakes and prizes, you should be at least 16 years old.

Gambling Age in South America

The gambling industry wasn't always approved in South America. Only in 2006, most restrictions were lifted, and it became a legal activity. Now, if you're 18 or older, you're allowed to enter and play at a casino in all the 15 countries.

Gambling Age in Asia

In most Asian countries, the gambling age is set at 21. However, there are several exceptions, such as South Korea (19), Georgia (18), and Cocos Islands (18).

Another unusual case is Macau. Here, locals can only play when they are 21, but for tourists, the minimum age is lower, 18. The reason is that a massive number of people are traveling to Macau specifically to visit casinos.

In Conclusion – Be Responsible!

As you can see, you need to check what gambling laws are in force in your country (state, province, etc.). You should also remember that if you’re traveling, there might be different regulations and customs than you’re normally accustomed to.

Our Golden Star team commits responsible gambling and only encourages you to sign up if you’re of the appropriate age. Although, assuming that you are, we’re happy to offer you high-quality interface and top casino games. Come and find out what makes us one of the best platforms!

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