Legal Sports Betting Age: What's The Legal Age To Wager On Sports?

One of the first questions you might ask after you’ve found a legal betting site that suits your needs is what is the legal age to bet on sports? Legal betting sites will start accepting US bettors from the age of 18 and up, but sometimes state laws prohibit any gambling activity before a certain age. We always recommend that you go by the legal age to gamble set forth by your state rather than the sports betting age requirement of your chosen sportsbook.

This is to avoid any potential conflicts when you go to collect your winnings. While your sportsbook operates in another country, you are collecting the payout in your state. Because of this, you must adhere to the regulations your state has set forth in regards to the legal age to gamble. The most common legal gambling age is 21 in most states. There are few that have set forth different age requirements, however.

The states where 18 is the legal gambling age are Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Oddly, Alabama’s legal gambling age is 19 for certain wagering, but it is the only state like this. Every other state in the US stipulates that the legal age to bet or wager is 21 or older. These requirements are all found on each of your state’s legislative websites if you would like to check for yourself.

How Old Do I Need To Be To Bet Sports In-Person?

With sportsbooks popping up all around the country, you may want to visit a local establishment to take action on your favorite sports. You will find that here it does not matter what state you are from but rather what state you are actively gambling in. No matter if the sportsbook is through an offshore provider, is land-based in a legal betting state, or on a betting platform associated with a licensed in-state sportsbook, the minimum age to bet on sports is the same.

Our list above of the states where sports betting is approved at 18 (plus Alabama’s 19-year-old limit) are the only states that do not adhere to an age of 21. Keep in mind that each venue is different, though. For example, some casinos in Oklahoma serve alcohol, limiting their gambling to those 21 and older, even though the minimum age is 18. Always be sure to check with your local sportsbook (or more likely be stopped at the entrance to present your ID) to make sure you are capable of gambling at their facility.

Legal Betting Age FAQ’s

How Does PASPA Effect The Legal Gambling Age In My State?

First and foremost, PASPA no longer has any effect on the legal gambling age in your state – or any other aspect of sports gambling. The federal law dubbed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (1992) was found to be in violation of the 10th Amendment, resulting in PASPA being struck down by the Supreme Court in May 2018. Now, you can rely solely on your state government to determine the legal age to gamble in casinos or participate in sports betting.

Is Betting On Sports Online Legal?

Betting on sports online is legal, so long as you are placing your wagers at online, offshore sportsbooks or state-licensed books. If you use an overseas sports betting site, the people accepting your bets fall outside of the jurisdiction of the Interstate Wire Act (1961). So, using an online, offshore sportsbook is completely legal for US bettors. On the other end, if your state offers an online sports betting site, then, of course, it is legal, without a doubt. Be sure to abide by the state-legislated legal age to bet on sports and pay taxes on your winnings to remain completely in the right when wagering on athletics.

How Do I Open An Account At A legal Betting Site?

Opening an account is as easy as can be at an offshore online legal betting site. All you need is your name and an email address. Once you’ve signed up, the book will send you a verification email. Once you’ve verified your account, you can make a deposit (via a number of methods, with the most popular being credit cards, debit cards, and Bitcoin) and begin betting on any sport you’d like. We recommend also verifying your account (proving your address with a bank statement or utility bill) upon signing up. This way, when you go to make a withdrawal, your information is ready to go, rather than having to wait on the site to confirm your status. State-licensed online betting sites may potentially require a trip to the venue to register a sports betting account, however some are also completely remote.