riverboat casino age limit

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

• Real Money Casino Apps
• 18+ Online Casinos
• Safest Casinos
• Low Minimum Deposit
• Best Paying Slots
• Cafe Casino
• Wild Casino
• Red Dog Casino
• Bovada Casino
• BetUS Casino
• Cash App Casinos
• Matchpay Casinos
• Credit Card Casinos
• Debit Card Casinos
• Gift Card Casinos
• California Gambling
• Florida Gambling
• Texas Gambling
• Kentucky Gambling
• Oklahoma Gambling

US Gambling US Gambling Laws Minimum Gambling Age

Gambling Age By State: Minimum Age to Gamble in the USA 2024

Updated: january 5, 2024.

Table of Contents

• * Casinos serving alcohol impose a 21+ limit
• ~ Only online poker is legal; no online slots or table games
• ˠ Minors can participate under certain situations (e.g. accompanied by an adut or for games with non-monetary prizes)
• NONE No legal gambling age specified in state law
• ˣ Legal but not operational/unavailable in the state

The legal age for gambling in the US varies between states. As there are no federal laws that specify a minimum age, all jurisdictions set their own legal minimum as decided by state lawmakers.

Most states set the legal gambling age to either 18 or 21. However, many jurisdictions have different minimum ages for each type of gambling. For example, you might be able to purchase lottery tickets at age 18 but cannot enter a commercial casino until you’re 21. Online and offline gambling also have different rules, regulations, and age restrictions.

• The minimum gambling age in the US varies by state, as every jurisdiction has its own laws and regulations for the industry. The legal age is typically either 18 or 21 years old.
• Different forms of gambling also have different age restrictions. Most states impose a legal minimum age of 21 for casinos and sports betting but 18 for lotteries, bingo, daily fantasy sports, and pari-mutuel betting.
• Not all states have legalized and regulated all forms of gambling. For example, if you live in Hawaii or Utah, all gambling is prohibited regardless of your age.
• Only five states have legalized online casinos, all of which have a legal age limit of 21+. If you’re 18, you can still play by joining a real money online casinos . All the best offshore casinos and the age they require players to be are listed below.
• Before registering for an offshore casino, consult the laws relevant to your jurisdiction. As all states have their own rules, what is legal in one state might not be in another.

US States That Allow 18-Year-Olds to Gamble at Casinos

When we use the word “gambling,” most people think of playing slots or table games on the casino gaming floor. Most states in the US have an over-twenty-one threshold for casinos.

However, there are several exceptions. North Dakota allows people aged 19 to enter casinos, and thirteen states permit people aged 18 into casinos to participate in casino gaming in some way. These states are as follows:

Rhode Island

Most of these states only allow 18-year-olds to gamble at tribal casinos. Under federal law, Native American tribes have the right to sovereignty. This means they can set their age threshold to anything over 18 regardless of the state’s age restriction for commercial casinos unless a 21+ policy has been negotiated in the tribal-state compacts.

However, federal law also dictates that alcohol can only be consumed by people over the age of 21. As such, all casinos that accept players under 21 cannot serve alcohol on the premises. A few states also allow people under 21 to enter non-alcohol-serving commercial casinos.

Legal Gambling Age for Online Casino Gambling

Only six states have legalized and regulated online casinos: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. You must be 21 or older to register for regulated casino apps licensed in these states.

Thankfully, offshore casinos accept players from the US as young as 18 . This makes them a fantastic option for anyone under the age of 21.

Below are the accepted gambling ages for all US players at the best offshore casinos for US players :

• * T&Cs state that players must certify that they are "at least 18 years old, or older in jurisdictions in which the minimum age for online wagering services is greater than 18." Therefore, for US states with a 21+ legal requirement, players must be 21 or older.
• ˣ T&Cs state that services are not intended for "people under 18 or the lawful age in their respective jurisdiction." This implies 21+ for states with a 21 minimym age for online wagering.
• ˠ T&Cs state, "If the age limit for gambling in your country is greater than 18 years, you declare that you are greater than the minimum age." Players from states with 21+ requirement for legal wagering must be 21+ or older.

Why Are Most Offshore Casinos 18+?

The legal gambling age varies around the world. For example, most countries in Europe have a minimum age to gamble set at 18. In Canada, the legal age for gambling is 19 for all types of wagering, from casinos to sports betting.

As offshore betting sites are located in foreign jurisdictions, they usually accept players as young as whatever the age restrictions are in the country in which they’re based. Common offshore jurisdictions like Curacao and Panama have their legal gambling age set at 18.

This makes offshore casinos an excellent choice for players aged 18+, as no regulated USA casinos accept people under 21. Offshore casinos also have several other perks, including a bigger selection of casino games and accepting cryptocurrencies .

Are Offshore Casinos Legal in the US?

As gambling laws vary by state , the legalities of offshore gambling sites depend on where you live. Some states have explicitly banned offshore gambling when updating their legislation. However, most states have ambiguous wording that puts offshore operators into a legal “gray area,” neither outrightly legal nor prohibited.

This ambiguity makes it possible to wager on these sites for real money, even if under the legally required minimum age imposed in your state. Most accept players from age 18, and no one from the US has ever been prosecuted for gambling offshore.

Are Offshore Casinos Safe?

Many offshore casinos are safe. In fact, all the ones we recommend have been vetted by our experts. They are licensed overseas, use SSL encryption technology, offer secure payment methods, and always pay out your winnings.

Unfortunately, rogue casinos do exist. To avoid playing at these sites and falling victim to scams, read our blacklisted casinos page . It highlights the main fraudsters to be aware of in the US gambling market.

Guide to Legal Gambling Age by State

If you want more information on the gambling options in your state, check out the information below. We’ve provided a summary of the state statutes surrounding the minimum age for all types of legal gambling in your jurisdiction – from casinos to sports betting, pari-mutuel wagering, lotteries, and charitable gaming.

NB: While we take care to ensure the information provided on this page is accurate, we are not professional lawyers. The following information does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice.

Alabama imposes a legal age of 19+ for almost all types of gambling permitted in the state. Unfortunately, AL is a conservative state with few legal options available. Your only legal options are:

Tribal Casinos

Commercial casinos are illegal in Alabama, meaning Native Indian casinos with Class II gaming are your only legal options for casino gambling.

The legal gambling age in Alabama is 19+, which also applies to tribal gaming in the state. However, you must be at least 21 to enter any casino venue. This is because they serve alcohol on the premises, and federal law dictates that alcohol consumption is for those over 21.

Daily Fantasy Sports

You can play daily fantasy sports at sites like DraftKings and FanDuel in Alabama as a 19-year-old. Alabama is one of the few states to outrightly legalize DFS after Gov. Ivey signed HB 361 into law in 2019, meaning the usual 18+ minimum for legal age for DFS is upped to the state-restricted 19.

Pari-Mutuel Wagering

Under Alabama Code §11-65-44, the legal age for pari-mutuel wagering at dog and horse racing tracks in Alabama is 19. However, in the counties of Greene and Mobile the legal minimum is reduced to 18 years old.

Charitable Bingo

Alabama allows bingo events for charitable and educational purposes only. The legal age for playing bingo in Alabama is set at 19. This age restriction also applies to anyone conducting or assisting with the running of charitable bingo events.

Casinos and sports betting are banned in Alaska. Even local tribes are not permitted to offer tribal gaming on reservation land. Your only legal gambling options and their age restrictions are:

DFS is not outrightly legalized or regulated in Alaska but is permitted as a “game of skill” rather than chance. Operators like DraftKings and FanDuel accept players age 18+.

Charitable Bingo & Pull-Tabs

Charity bingo is legal in Alaska for anyone aged 19 or older, as per Alaska Statutes §§05.15.180. Non-profit organizations are also permitted to sell pull-tab games for fundraising purposes, but this has a legal age restriction of 21 – the age limit was raised from 19 on June 26, 1993.

Arizona has legalized and regulated most types of gambling, imposing a legal minimum age of 21 across the board.

Land-Based Casino Gambling

There are over 20 land-based tribal casinos in Arizona, offering slot machines and table games that readily welcome players age 21 or older. Charities can also host casino nights for fundraising purposes for people aged 21+.

Sports Betting

Gov. Ducey signed HB 2772 into law in 2021, legalizing online and in-person AZ sportsbooks. You must be 21+ to legally bet on sports in the state. The new legislation also specifically legalized DFS, which now also imposes an age restriction of 21 for players from Arizona.

Prior to June 2003, Arizona Statutes §5-515 permitted lottery sales to people aged 18. However, it is now unlawful to sell or gift a lottery ticket to anyone under 21.

Players age 21 or older can purchase tickets for the Arizona State Lottery from licensed retailers in the state. You can also enter multi-state draws like Mega Millions at age 21, buying tickets in-person or online via the Jackpocket app.

The legal age for pari-mutuel betting, both online and in-person, is set at 21. Arizona Statutes §5-112 states: “A permittee shall not knowingly permit a person who is under twenty-one years of age to be a patron of the pari-mutuel system of wagering.”

Bingo is the only game you can legally play at age 18 in Arizona. You can play charitable bingo at events organized by non-profits. Arizona’s tribal casinos also run bingo events, but you must be 21 or older to enter the casino premises.

The minimum legal age for gambling in Arkansas varies between 18 and 21, depending on which form of gambling you’re undertaking:

Land-Based Casinos

There are no regulated online casinos in Arkansas, but several land-based casinos feature slot machines, video poker, and table game. To play any of these games on the casino floor, you must be at least 21 years old.

Arkansas sports betting (retail and online) launched in 2022 after HB 1942 was signed into law the previous year. Lawmakers agreed to a legal minimum age of 21+. If you’re under 21, you can play at legal DFS sites like DraftKings from the age of 18.

You must be 18 years or older the purchase lottery tickets in Arkansas. You can purchase tickets for the intrastate Natural State Jackpot and multistate games such as Powerball.

Pari-Mutuel Betting

Pari-mutuel wagering on horse races is legal in Arkansas if you’re 18+. Statutes §§23-110-405 says it’s unlawful for “any person under eighteen years of age to be a patron of the pari-mutuel or certificate system of wagering conducted or supervised by it.”

Online wagering at sites like TwinSpires is also permitted and imposes a 21 age restriction. Moreover, although all live dog racing has ceased, you can bet on greyhound races online via these sites.

Charitable Bingo & Raffles

Arkansas permits bingo games and raffles for charitable purposes for players aged 18 or older. The legislation reads, “no individual under eighteen years of age may play a game of bingo or purchase raffle tickets from a licensed authorized organization.”

California is one of the few states with a legal gambling age of 18 for all types of regulated gambling. There is not a regulated sports betting industry, but your other options are:

Casino Gambling

The legal age for casino gambling in California at licensed casinos and gaming clubs is 18. However, most require you to be 21 to enter the premises due to the sale of alcohol. This restriction is to prevent underage drinking rather than illegal gambling.

If you’re under 21, fifteen tribal casinos still accept players as young as 18. Examples include Casino Pauma, Eagle Mountain Casino, and Gold Country Casino.

California Government Code §8880.52. says that “no tickets or shares in Lottery Games shall be sold to persons under the age of 18 years.” The legislation also prohibits the payment of prizes to minors, meaning you cannot gift a lottery ticket to anyone underage.

The legal minimum age for pari-mutuel wagering in CA is 18, available at live race tracks, simulcast locations, and online. This was decided by the Racing Control Board rather than the legislature.

The California Penal Code §326.5 states that “minors shall not be allowed to participate in any bingo game.” Minors are considered anyone under the age of 18, meaning non-profit organizations can run bingo nights for participants aged 18 or older.

Colorado has legalized almost all forms of gambling aside from online casinos. The legal age ranges from 18 to 21 as follows:

You must be 21 to enter any commercial casinos in Colorado’s three mountain towns. The state’s two tribal casinos also impose the same legal age restriction. Available games for 21-year-olds include slot machines, video poker, and table games.

Sports betting went live in Colorado in 2020 after Proposition DD was signed into law. Lawmakers allowed the launch of online and retail sportsbooks. Regulations set a minimum age of 21 for both: “No sports bet shall be accepted from a person under the age of twenty-one years.”

In Colorado, you can purchase lottery tickets at 18; Colorado Revised Statutes §24-35-214 make it illegal for anyone to buy or sell tickets for intra-state or multi-state draws to minors. If your purchase a winning ticket illegally, your winnings shall be forfeited.

However, it is legal for lottery tickets to be gifted to people under 18 and receive their payout. The legislation reads: “The director may direct payment of the prize by delivery to an adult member of the minor's family or a guardian of the minor of a check or draft payable to the order of such minor.'

Under Colorado Statutes §12-60-601, you must be 18 or older to legally purchase pari-mutuel wagering tickets in CO. Only people age 18+ can also redeem prizes.

Charitable Gambling

Bingo and pull-tabs are 18+ gambling activities in Colorado, but anyone aged 14+ can “assist in the conduct of bingo or pull tabs.” Colorado Statutes §12-9-107 states that alcohol cannot be given as a prize, ensuring players under 21 aren’t illegally given alcohol.

Connecticut

Connecticut is a pro-gambling state, having regulated and licensed all forms of gambling. Age limits range from 18 to 21.

Connecticut has two land-based casinos, both of which are Native Indian gambling venues. As gambling is only permitted on reservation land, the tribes can set their gambling age to whatever they like. However, both have agreed on a 21+ threshold.

HB 6451 was signed into law in 2021, which allowed the state’s tribes to offer online casinos. These sites have the same legal minimum age of 21.

Sports Gambling

The passing of HB 6451 also legalized retail and mobile sportsbooks.  To place sports bets in person or online, you must legally be at least 21 years old. You can also legally play fantasy sports at 18+.

All lottery games are only available to people over the age of 18. You are only permitted to purchase tickets from licensed retailers.

Connecticut permits pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and jai-alai for people age 18+. However, without live racetracks in the state, you’re limited to online and off-track betting only. General Statutes §12-576 also prohibit anyone under 18 from being present in an OTB facility.

Bingo & Pull-Tabs

California permits charitable bingo and pull-tabs, imposing a legal minimum age of 18. You used to also be able to participate in charitable “Las Vegas nights” at age 18. However, legislation permitting charitable casino gambling was repealed in 2003.

Delaware has legalized most forms of gambling, with the legal age set at either 18 or 21. However, some forms of charitable gaming can be enjoyed at 16 or 17.

You must be at least 21 to enter a land-based casino in Delaware. Without tribal gambling venues, your land-based options are the state’s three racinos. These offer blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, and slot machines.

Delaware was the first US state to legalize online poker and casinos, passing HB 333 in 2012. The legislation prohibits anyone under 21 from playing real money online casino games.

Online and in-person sports betting is legal in Delaware if you’re 21+. The gambling laws state that “no credits may be redeemed by a person under twenty-one years of age… In the event an underage player attempts to claim any winning payout, the sports lottery agent should treat the wager as void.”

Like most US states, you must be 18 to purchase lottery tickets in Delaware. However, this legal minimum age requirement has been written into the state constitution (Article 2, §17) rather than passed by new legislation, making it more rigorous than many other state restrictions.

While lottery sales are prohibited for minors, you can gift lottery tickets to underage gamblers under Delaware Code Title 29, §4810.

Dog race betting is illegal in Delaware, so there is no legal age minimum. For pari-mutuel horse race betting, the legal age is 18. You can place wagers at live racetracks, OTB facilities, or online.

Charitable Gaming

Delaware defines charitable gaming as “any game or scheme in which chance is the dominant factor in the game and a consideration is paid to play and a prize may be won.” Therefore, legal games include blackjack, stud poker, draw poker, and horse racing games.

An 18-year-old age limit is imposed for all of the above types of charitable gaming. However, you can play charitable bingo at 16 or 17 in Delaware if the prizes are merchandise rather than monetary.

Most types of regulated gambling in Florida accept players age 18 or older. However, full access to casinos requires you to be 21.

There are seven tribal casinos and a casino cruise ship in Florida. These are the only places where you can find real-money casino games played against the house. You can enter the premises at 18 but cannot enter areas of the gaming floor that have slots and table games unless you’re 21.

As an 18-year-old, you can legally place bets at Florida’s land-based card rooms. Here you can play poker for real money, but banked card games are banned.

You can purchase lottery tickets for the Florida Lottery and multi-state draws at 18. Prizes can be given to minors if the ticket was “lawfully purchased and made a gift to the minor.”

In Florida, pari-mutuel wagering for horse racing and jai alai is permitted. You must be at least 18 to participate in wagering. Still, you can attend pari-mutuel events as a minor if “accompanied by one or both parents or by her or his legal guardian” (Florida Statutes §550.0425).

Florida Statutes §849.0931 states that “No one under 18 years of age shall be allowed to play any bingo game or instant bingo or be involved in the conduct of a bingo game or instant bingo in any way.” The same legal age requirement applies to charity pull-tab sales.

Georgia has a minimum legal gambling age of 18 for all types of regulated betting in the state. The unique gambling laws create civil liability for underage gambling alongside typical punishments for illegal betting activity.

Cruise Ship Casinos

Although there are no land-based or online casinos in Georgia, 18-year-olds can legally gamble on riverboat casinos. You must present valid ID when boarding the boat.

No laws explicitly legalizing DFS are in place in Georgia, so there is technically no legal age requirement. However, sites like FanDuel and DraftKings accept players aged 18. They’re permitted in the state as a “game of chance.”

Georgia Code §50-27-10 stipulates that you have to be 18+ to purchase lottery tickets, both for intrastate and multi-state games. Minors are also banned from using electronic lotto devices.

Charity bingo and raffles are legal in Georgia when conducted by licensed non-profit organizations. Under Georgia Code §16-12-58, you must be 18+ to participate in the events. However, minors can play charity bingo if accompanied by an adult.

Hawaii has banned all forms of real-money gambling. Casino gambling, sports betting, pari-mutuel wagering, lotteries, daily fantasy sports, and charitable gaming are all prohibited; thus, no legal age requirement applies.

The only form of gambling permitted is social gambling. However, this is limited to people aged 18+. Hawaii Statutes §712-1231 states that “no minor be involved in the game.”

The minimum gambling age for all forms of regulated gambling in Idaho is 18, as covered in Idaho Statutes §18-3801 and §54-2501.

Idaho is without a regulated online casino industry. However, seven Native American casinos in the state offer slots, video poker, and other casino games that you can legally enjoy aged 18.

Although Idaho has an 18+ legal requirement, some tribal casinos require you to be 21 or older to enter the premises. This is due to the operator’s alcohol license, as it’s illegal under federal law to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.

Idaho Code §67-7413 makes it illegal for retailers to sell lottery tickets to anyone under 18. Minors are also prohibited from purchasing tickets or redeeming prizes.

Idaho Code §54-2512, it shall “be unlawful knowingly to permit any minor to use the pari-mutuel system.” In Idaho, minors refer to anyone under the age of 18. Therefore, you can place pari-mutuel wagers on horse racing events in Idaho at age 18+.

Most bingo and raffles are for players age 18 or older; Idaho Code §67-7703 states that “no person under the age of eighteen may play bingo for a cash prize or in games where the prize exceeds twenty-five dollars.”

There is no legislation on legal ages for smaller, non-monetary charitable games, meaning that minors can play bingo for lesser prizes.

There are two minimum gambling ages in Illinois – either 18 or 21 – depending on the type of regulated gambling you’re undertaking.

Charitable and riverboat casino gambling is legal in Illinois, but the minimum age limit differs. You can partake in casino gaming run by charities at 18+ (Illinois Revised Statutes Chapter 230, § 30/8).

However, you’re banned from entering the gaming areas on riverboat casinos under the age of 21 (Illinois Revised Statutes Chapter 230, §10/11). The only exception is for underage employees, who are welcome aboard but cannot “perform any function involved in gambling” as part of their job.

Sports Wagering

The Illinois Sports Wagering Act sets the legal age for sports betting at 21. This age restriction applies to wagering at retail and mobile sportsbooks.

If you’re only 18, you can legally participate in fantasy sports contests at sites like DraftKings.

You must be at least 18 to place pari-mutuel bets on horse racing events in Illinois. Online horse race betting is also permitted for people aged 18+.

Under the Illinois Gaming Act (Illinois Statutes §1605/15), you’re banned from purchasing lottery tickets in Illinois if you are under 18. It is also illegal for adults to buy tickets and gift them to minors, stating that “no person shall… buy a lottery ticket or share for any minor under 18 years.”

Like charitable casino gambling, charity bingo and pull-tabs are legal for anyone aged 18+. Minors can be in an area where these events are happening, but only when accompanied by an adult.

Indiana state law makes most types of gambling legal, with the exception of online casinos.

Indiana has many types of casinos, including riverboat casinos, tribal casinos, commercial casinos, and racinos. All kinds of casino property require you to be at least 21 years old to enter the premises.

State-licensed sportsbooks in Indiana launched in October 2019. Both online and retail sportsbooks are limited to bettors age 21+. IA sports betting legislation also prohibits betting on athletes who are under the age of 18.

Eighteen-year-olds can play fantasy sports in Indiana. The state outrightly legalized and regulated DFS in 2016 (Senate Enrolled Act 339-2016) and established a minimum age of 18+.

Intrastate and multi-state lottery draws are legal in Indiana for anyone over the age of 18. However, Indiana Code § 4-30-12-1 “does not prohibit the purchase of a lottery ticket for the purpose of making a gift to a minor.”

To place pari-mutuel bets on horse racing events, you must be 18. However, Indiana Code §4-31-6-5 states that the Racing Commission can license applicants who are 16+, as long as it is accompanied by a notarized statement from the parent or guardian.

The regulations surrounding charitable gaming are detailed in the 68 Indiana Administrative Code 21.

This legal code states that “an organization may not permit a person less than eighteen (18) years of age to play or participate in an allowable event activity.” However, people under 18 can participate in non-gaming activities during the event.

A minimum gambling age of 21+ applies to all forms of gambling in Iowa. This is dictated by Iowa Statutes §725.19, which states that “any person under the age of twenty-one years shall not make or attempt to make a gambling wager.”

Casinos in Iowa

As per the aforementioned law, you must legally be 21 or older to play slots and table games for real money in Iowa. Iowa used to permit 18-year-olds to gamble at riverboat casinos in the state, but the legal age was increased to 21 in 1989.

People under the age of 21 are also forbidden from entering or attempting to enter the gaming floor or wagering area (Iowa Code §99F.9), so all casinos have a strict over-21 policy.

Online & Retail Sportsbooks

To legally bet on sports in Iowa – both in-person and online – you must be 21+. You can legally bet on college sports teams with players under the age of 21. However, the state doesn’t allow proposition bets on individual college athletes.

Most US states allow 18-year-olds to enter fantasy sports contests. However, Iowa upholds its 21+ gambling policy for DFS tournaments.

You have to be at least 21 years old to purchase Iowa Lottery tickets.

However, lottery tickets can be gifted to minors: Chapter 99G of the Iowa Code “does not prohibit the lawful purchase of a lottery ticket or share for the purpose of making a gift to a person who has not reached the age of twenty-one.”

Pari-Mutual Betting

Chapter 99D.11 states, “a person under the age of twenty-one years shall not make or attempt to make a pari-mutuel wager.”

Bingo & Charitable Gaming

The only exception to the strict 21+ age restriction imposed in Iowa Statutes §725.19 is related to charitable gaming. Under Chapter 99B, there is no prohibition of anyone under 21 from playing bingo, even for games with cash jackpots of up to $800. 

In Iowa, card games are also permitted for fundraising purposes. This is the only type of charitable gaming with a legal age requirement: “Participants in a card game tournament shall be at least twenty-one years of age.”

Although a historically conservative state, the Kansas gambling industry has expanded over the past 15 years to include commercial casinos and sports betting.

Kansas is home to six tribal and four commercial casinos. The state’s four commercial casinos require you to be 21+ to enter the premises and play any of their games.

Five of the six Native Indian casinos also adhere to this age limit. However, the Golden Eagle Casino is one exception. Eighteen-year-olds can enter the casino gaming floor and play select Class II slot machines. This is permitted despite Kansas’ legal minimum set as 21 as the tribes enjoy sovereignty.

Online and retail sports betting launched in Kansas in 2022 after SB 84 was signed into law. The new legislation set the legal age for sports wagering at 21 or older.

You must be 18 or older to purchase lottery tickets in Kansas, both for multi- and intra-state draws. It is also illegal to gift lottery tickets to minors, who are prohibited from claiming any prizes won on a Kansas Lottery ticket.

Kansas Statutes §§74-8708, 74-8718, and 74-8722 also have additional wording that prohibits the Lottery from hiring anyone under 18 for appearing in lottery advertisements.  

Pari-mutuel betting is legal in Kansas for anyone over the age of 18. The ban on children appearing in lottery commercials also applies to advertisements promoting pari-mutuel wagering.

Bingo and Pull-Tabs

You can play bingo at tribal casinos in Kansas. Most welcome players age 18 but bar bettors under the age of 21 from entering the casino gaming floor (The Golden Eagle Casino is the sole exception).

Eighteen-year-olds can also legally partake in charitable gambling events held by non-profits, such as charity bingo games and pull-tabs. As per Kansas Statutes §79-4706, minors are forbidden from helping with the running or organization of these charitable events.

All bettors in Kentucky must be 18 or older, regardless of the gambling activity. However, without commercial casinos or sports betting, your legal options are limited to the following:

There are plenty of options for horse race betting in Kentucky, such as wagering on the Kentucky Derby and other racing events at OTB facilities or online racebooks. All are legally accessible to people aged 18+.

Kentucky Revised Statutes §154A.990 requires all lottery ticket purchasers to be 18+.

However, §154A.110 “does not prohibit the purchase of a ticket by a person eighteen years of age or older for the purpose of making a gift to any person of any age,” allowing lawfully bought tickets to be gifted to minors.

Charitable Bingo Games

Under Kentucky Revised Statutes §238.545, qualifying charitable organizations can legally conduct bingo events. All participants must be 18 or older unless “he or she is playing for noncash prizes and is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and only if the value of any noncash prize awarded does not exceed ten dollars.”

Casino-Style Games

Casino gambling is banned in Kentucky, but games of skill are permitted. Many slot-like games proliferated across Kentucky from 2021 onward, operating in a legal “gray area” as a game of skill.

These casino-like games can be found at racetracks and “casino” venues in the state and are available to 18-year-olds. However, HB 594 was signed into law in 2023 that banned these unregulated machines. Under this new legislation, playing these slot-like games is prohibited.

Louisiana has legalized all forms of gambling apart from online casinos. It imposes an over-18 restriction on charitable bingo and pari-mutuel wagering. For casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and DFS, you must be 21+.

Louisiana used to have a minimum gambling age for lottery sales set to 18. This legal minimum was increased to 21+ in 1998. Adults can lawfully purchase tickets to gift to minors.

Under LA Revised Statute § 14:90.5, it is “unlawful for any person under twenty-one years of age to play casino games, gaming devices, or slot machines.”

It is also prohibited for people under 21 to enter the gaming area of riverboat casinos or gaming floors at pari-mutuel venues licensed to offer casino games. Anyone who violates the law shall be “fined not more than five hundred dollars and may be imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.”

You must be 21 or older to wager at a regulated Louisiana sportsbook (Louisiana Statute 27 § 608). It is also a legal requirement for sportsbook operators to confirm that the player is of legal age before accepting their wager.

The launch of legal sports betting also legalized DFS in the Pelican State. You must be 21+ to enter paid fantasy sports contests.

It is unlawful for any person under 18 to place pari-mutuel bets on horse racing events both off- and online. Accompanied minors may attend live racing events, but attendees aged 18 or younger cannot enter designated wagering areas.

Louisiana state law prohibits people under 18 from assisting in “the holding, operation, or conduct of any game of chance.” However, there is no prohibition on minors participating in the events.

According to the Office of Charitable Gaming, “the law does not prohibit people under the age of 18 from playing charitable gaming activities. However, persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to play electronic video bingo devices.”

The minimum gambling age in Maine ranges from 16 to 21, depending on the type of gambling being undertaken.

You can play slot machines and table games at two land-based casinos in Maine. Maine Revised Statutes Title 8, §1031 imposes a legal age limit of 21 or older for these games.

The law also states that operators must “prohibit persons under 21 years of age from any area in which a slot machine or table game is located.” The exception is for licensed employees who can work in a casino from the age of 18.

Maine legalized sports betting in 2022, allowing up to four mobile and ten retail operators. However, the Gambling Control Unit has yet to award any licenses. When sportsbooks go live, a minimum legal age of 21+ will apply for online and in-person wagering.

The state allows betting at live racetracks, off-track betting locations, and online racebooks. You can legally place pari-mutuel bets on horse races at age 18. However, you can enter off-track betting facilities at age 16 (Maine Revised Statutes Title 8, §§275-D).

The law is strict over how close minors can get to betting windows, prohibiting a “person under the age of 18 within 15 feet of a betting window or other place for accepting wagers.” 

In Maine, lottery tickets are only available to purchase if you’re 18+. Adults are also banned from buying tickets to gift to minors.

However, the law does not impose any real punishment for illegal lottery sales. There is no penalty for minors purchasing a ticket underage, and retailers who unlawfully sell lottery tickets are charged with civil punishments only.

Charitable bingo or “beano” has a legal minimum age of 16. Children under 16 can attend bingo events if accompanied by a parent or guardian, but they cannot participate. Bingo licenses cannot be issued to non-profits that are “composed wholly or primarily of persons under 16 years of age.” (Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17, §319).

The legal age for most forms of gambling in Maryland is 21. However, its state law has several unique quirks compared to other US jurisdictions.

Commercial casinos are a new addition to Maryland. Slots were legalized in 2008, and table games were prohibited until 2012. You have to be 21+ to legally enter a casino and play these games.

Under MD Criminal Law Code § 13-404, charities are also permitted to offer casino gaming, including card tournaments. To participate in the event, an individual must be at least 21 years old. However, “to volunteer as an operator of a card game, card tournament, or casino event, an individual shall be at least 18 years old.”

Retail & Online Sportsbooks

Retail sportsbooks opened in Maryland in December 2021, followed by high-limit online sportsbooks in November 2022. You must be at least 21 to place sports wagers online and in person.

Interestingly, wagering on college sports is permitted despite many college teams having athletes under 21. In fact, there is no ban regardless of where they play, even for Maryland’s own teams. Betting on high school sports is illegal.

Pari-mutuel wagering is legal at racetracks, off-track betting locations, and online in Maryland. To legally participate, you must be 18+.

It is unlawful for retailers to sell lottery tickets to anyone under 18. Similarly, people under 18 are banned from purchasing lottery tickets. However, Maryland State Government Code §§9-124 does not prohibit “buying a State lottery ticket or share as a gift for a minor.”

Maryland also imposes a restriction on the age of lottery sellers, which must be 21 or older (Maryland State Government Code § 9-112).

Maryland laws on bingo are unique. Individual statutes have been passed for each county rather than a single law governing bingo throughout the state. Some counties permit 16-year-olds to play bingo; others have a minimum age of 18.

Massachusetts

Most gambling options in Massachusetts mandate that you’re 21+. The lottery and pari-mutuel betting are permitted at 18 years old.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 10, §§29 sets a clear 18+ policy for lottery sales: “No ticket or share shall be sold to any person under age eighteen.” However, adults “may purchase a ticket or share for the purpose of making a gift to a person under age eighteen.”

You can legally bet on horse races at age 18 in Massachusetts. Any operator permitting minors to participate in pari-mutuel wagering shall be “punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.”

Eighteen-year-olds are legally allowed to participate in charitable bingo, referred to as “beano.”

Minors are also explicitly banned from entering the building while events are on: “No person under 18 years of age shall be permitted in that portion of any building or premises of the licensee during such time as such game is being played.” (Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 10, §§ 38).

Slot Machines & Table Games

You must be 21+ to partake in casino gambling in Maryland. Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 23 §§ 43 is clear on the penalties for underage gambling, punishing underage players with “a fine not to exceed $1,000.”

The legislation also prohibits adults from betting or collecting winnings on behalf of a minor. They can receive up to six months imprisonment and fines of $1,000.

Massachusetts gambling laws prohibit anyone under 21 from wagering on sporting events. Mass. General Laws Chapter 23N § 13 reads, “An operator shall not accept a wager from a person who is less than 21 years of age.”

Unlike most states, the legal age for DFS in Massachusetts is also set at 21+.

It is illegal in Michigan for anyone under 18 to gamble. However, some forms of gambling are limited to people aged 21+.

Lottery tickets can only be purchased by individuals aged 18+. Under Michigan Compiled Laws §§432.29, licensees that knowingly sell tickets to underage players are guilty of a misdemeanor. Lawfully purchased tickets can be gifted to people under the age of 18.

Pari-Mutuel Race Betting

The “Racing Law of 1980” puts the legal gambling age for pari-mutuel wagering at 18.

The legal age for land-based casino gambling in Michigan ranges from 18 to 21, depending on the property in question. Casinos regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) impose a minimum age of 21. This is the minimum gambling age according to state law.

However, Michigan is home to several tribal casinos not overseen by the MGCB. Most tribal casinos have an 18+ limitation. Meanwhile, the Odawa Casino in Petoskey accepts players age 19+, and four Native American casinos have the same legal age limit as the state: 21.

Online casino gambling is also legal in Michigan. It is governed by the MGCB, meaning a 21 or older age limit applies for all real-money online slots, table games, and video poker games.

According to the Lawful Sports Betting Act, an “authorized participant” for sports wagering is someone who is “at least 21 years of age.” Professional and college sports betting is permitted.

Charity Gambling

Charitable bingo and pull-tabs are legal in Michigan for players age 18+. Like lottery tickets, charity pull-tabs can be lawfully purchased and gifted to minors. (Michigan Compiled Laws §432.107a).

Authorized non-profits are also permitted to run “millionaire parties,” which are essentially casino nights. Michigan Compiled Laws §432.305 states that people under 18 cannot participate in the party as players, operate millionaire party games, assist in the conduct of the event, or even handle any type of casino gaming equipment.

Minnesota residents can legally start gambling at the age of 18. The exception is for commercial casinos that require players to be 21.

Minnesota has commercial and tribal land-based casinos. All commercial casinos have a strict 21 or older policy. However, the minimum gambling age at tribal casinos in Minnesota is 18. As the tribes have sovereignty, they can set their own legal age limits for gambling.

Some tribal gambling venues do have a 21+ limit due to alcohol licensing requirements.

Under current gambling regulation, Minnesota Statutes §609.75 and 609.76, sports betting is illegal. If it were to be legalized, a minimum age of 18+ is expected.

Minnesota Statutes §§240.25 reads, “A person under the age of 18 may not place a bet or present a pari-mutuel ticket for payment with an approved pari-mutuel system or participate in card playing at a card club at a licensed racetrack.”

You can legally purchase lottery tickets in Minnesota at the age of 18.

Minnesota Statutes §349A.12 also prohibits people under 18 from redeeming a lottery prize, inferring that gifting tickets to minors is not allowed. This is confirmed in Subd. 5: “Nothing in this chapter prohibits giving a state lottery ticket as a gift, provided that a state lottery ticket may not be given to a person under the age of 18.”

Non-profit organizations can conduct bingo, pull-tabs, and raffles for fundraising purposes. You must be 18 or older to participate unless “the underage person is accompanied by a parent or guardian.”

Mississippi

Mississippi is one of the strictest imposers of its minimum age limit for gambling. Underage players have to return the winnings, and operators cannot claim they thought the player was of age.

Commercial & Tribal Casinos

Mississippi has 26 commercial casinos and three tribal casinos. Regardless of the venue, the age requirement for casino patrons is set firmly at 21. People under this age are prohibited from playing casino games, collecting winnings, or being employed by the operator.

Under Mississippi Code §75-76-155, underage gamblers can be fined up to $1,000 and/or imprisoned in county jail for up to six months.

The minimum gambling age for betting at state-regulated sportsbooks is 21. Mississippi has only legalized retail sports betting at licensed casinos; online sports wagering is prohibited.  

Charity Bingo Games

You can participate in charity bingo events at 18 in Mississippi. Underage players can join the games if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Interestingly, non-profits can choose to exclude anyone under 18 and prohibit them from entering the premises. (Mississippi Code §97-33-67).

Anyone 21 years of age or older can play any of the Mississippi Lottery games, including scratch games, intrastate draws, and multistate draws.

Lottery tickets can be gifted to people under the age of 21. However, the claimant for winning tickets must be 21+. If a minor gifted a winning lottery ticket wins, a parent or legal representative must collect the prize on behalf of the child.

Missouri is without online and retail sportsbooks and online casinos, but several land-based forms of gambling are permitted. The legal gambling age for these ranges from 16 to 21.

Lottery tickets can only be sold to players age 18+. However, minors can collect winnings if gifted a lawfully purchased lottery ticket by an adult. Lottery game retailers cannot be under the age of 21,

Casinos in Missouri are not permitted to accept wagers from anyone under the age of 21. People under 21 are also prevented from entering the gaming floor and will be refused entry into casinos.

Missouri Revised Statutes §§434.060 has an interesting clause that recovers losses from underage casino gambling: “If any minor shall lose any money or property at any game, gambling device, or by any bet or wager whatever, the parent or conservator of such minor may sue for and recover from the winner such money or property, or the value thereof, so lost by such minor.”

Missouri Laws §313.670 states that “no individual under the age of eighteen years shall knowingly make or attempt to make any wager on any horse race.” The use of the word knowingly is unusual; nevertheless, the legal age for pari-mutuel betting is 18+.

People under the age of 18 can be admitted into any pari-mutuel race area if accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18.

Charitable bingo is permitted in Missouri. You can legally participate in or conduct bingo at 16 (Missouri Revised Statutes §313.040). Under 16s can be in the area where the bingo event is being held when accompanied by a parent.

Under Montana Code §§23-5-158, the legal age for the entire gambling industry is 18. “A person under 18 years of age may not purposely or knowingly participate in a gambling activity.”

Eighteen-year-olds can enter casinos in Montana. However, the casinos are limited to offering slot-like games, including video bingo, video keno, and video poker. True slot machines and banked card games are illegal at any age in the state.

The minimum age for purchasing lottery tickets in Montana is 18+. This same legal minimum applies to lottery retailers: “A person under 18 years of age may not sell lottery tickets, chances, wagers, or bets” (Montana Code §§23-7-110).

Anyone that does sell tickets to minors received a penalty of a fine not to exceed $500 or imprisonment in country jail for up to six months, or both.

Betting on horse races is restricted to people over 18 only. Montana Code §23-4-301 states that it is “unlawful to permit a minor to use the pari-mutuel system.” Operators must also legally include an 18+ statement in all their advertising materials.

The same section of the law also outrightly illegalizes fantasy sports in Montana.

Montana is one of the few US states that allow eighteen-year-olds to bet on sports. This applies to wagering at retail sportsbooks and online at the Sports Bet Montana app.

You must be 18+ to play bingo in Montana. Montana Code §23-5-112 also prohibits people under 18 from being the “bingo caller” and drawing live numbers during the event.

Raffles held by charitable and non-profit organizations are the sole exception to the 18+ age limit for gambling in Montana; children under 18 are permitted to participate.

Nebraska has several different statutes for each form of legal gambling, with the minimum age set at either 18, 19, or 21+.

Nebraska does not limit the age of retailers selling scratch tickets and games for the Nebraska Lottery Lotto. However, you must be 19+ to purchase tickets and redeem prizes. This is the only state in the US with this legal age limit – all others require players to be either 18 or 21.

Nebraska has tribal and commercial casinos, both of which impose a minimum gambling age of 21. The law also restricts those under 18 from entering a casino property.

Nebraska legalized its retail-only sports betting industry in 2021 by signing LB 561. However, the industry is not yet operational. The rules for the soon-to-launch sports wagering market have recently been approved, prohibiting gambling by “persons under the age of twenty-one.”

Moreover, Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act Title 296 prohibits a person under 19 from holding an occupational license. It will also be illegal to place wagers on “any sporting event where the majority of the athletes are under eighteen years of age” (13.003.09C A).

Fantasy sports providers are live in Nebraska, only accepting players age 19 or older.

The Nebraska Legislature bans anyone under 21 from placing a pari-mutuel wager on horse racing events (Nebraska Revised Statutes §2-1207).

With the exception of limited-period bingo occasions, you must be 18 or older to play charitable bingo in Nebraska or purchase raffle tickets. Bingo workers must also legally be at least 18 years of age (Charitable Gaming Regulations, Chapter 35).

Keno is also legal in Nebraska. Under §35-613.01, you must be 19 or older to play or participate in keno. Any ticket sold to underage players is considered void and, if a winning ticket, will not be paid.

Nevada has its minimum gambling age set at 21 for all types of gambling.

Nevada Revised Statutes §463.350 states: “A person under the age of 21 years shall not play, be allowed to play, place wagers at, or collect winnings from, whether personally or through an agent, any gambling game, slot machine, race book, sports pool or pari-mutuel operator.”

The minimum age of 21 applies to all forms of casino gaming. This includes land-based casinos and regulated operators offering legal online poker (online casino gaming is illegal under current law). Under Section 205.460, it is also prohibited for underage players to enter gambling establishments.

In Nevada, breaking the law on gambling is considered a misdemeanor offense. It carries up to six months in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

As per Nevada Revised Statutes §463.350, the legal age for sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering is 21. People under 21 are also not allowed to “loiter or be permitted to loiter” at any licensed racebook or pari-mutuel betting venue.

Despite Nevada being the home of Las Vegas – infamous for its luxury casinos – it is one of five states without a lottery. If a state lottery were to launch, we expect the 21 age limit to apply.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire has a statewide 18+ age restriction for all types of gambling.

New Hampshire Revised Statutes §287-F:8 prohibits the sale of lottery tickets to people under 18. However, it is legal to lawfully purchase a ticket to gift to a minor.

Charitable Casinos & Bingo

Real casino gambling is illegal in New Hampshire. However, charities can run “casino nights” for fundraising purposes. This is the only legal way to play games like blackjack and roulette (slot machines are not permitted).

An age restriction of 18+ applies for charitable casino gaming. No one under 18 is allowed to be admitted to the premises where games are being conducted unless they’re being held at a carnival. In this case, minors can attend events when accompanied by an adult (RSA §287-D:14).

Charitable bingo and pull-tabs also have an 18+ policy (New Hampshire Revised Statutes §§287-E).

Mobile and retail sports betting is permitted in New Hampshire. NH Revised Statutes § 287-I:1 defines an “authorized sports bettor” as an “individual 18 years of age or older who is physically present in the state of New Hampshire when placing a sports wager.”

Online operators are also legally obliged to provide age verification measures to “block access and prevent sports wagers by persons under the age of 18 years” (Revised Statutes § 287-I:7).

Horse Race Betting

New Hampshire Revised Statutes §284:33 limits pari-mutuel betting on horses to “minors.” Under state law, this is considered to be people under the age of 18.

The minimum age limit in New Jersey depends on the particular gambling activity you’re undertaking.

Land-Based & Online Casinos

New Jersey Statutes §5:12-119 bans anyone “under the age at which a person is authorized to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages” from entering and gambling at casinos in Atlantic City. The legal age for drinking is 21 throughout the US, as per federal law.

Anyone participating in underage gambling in New Jersey will be fined $500 to $1,000 and have their driver’s license suspended for six months. Parents or guardians who allow their children to gamble can also be charged with a disorderly persons offense.

In line with other types of casino gambling, the legal age for online casinos and online poker is 21.

In New Jersey, a person placing a wager on a sports event shall be at least 21 (P.L. 2018, Chapter 3). It is also illegal to place bets on high school sports teams, but you can wager on international sporting events in which persons under the age of 18 make up a minority of participants.

The legal age for fantasy sports drops to 18+ under New Jersey Administration Code § 13:45A-36.9.

You have to be 18+ to play the New Jersey Lottery. Adults can purchase tickets to gift to minors, but the lottery urges parents to “think twice about gifting Lottery tickets to children.”

Charitable & Amusement Gambling

New Jersey Administration Code § 13:47-7.8 prohibits organizations from allowing anyone under 18 to conduct or play bingo games. Any operator that breaks the law could lose its license.

An age limit of 18+ applies to other forms of charitable gambling (raffles, casino nights, and armchair races) and amusement gambling (New Jersey Statutes §5:8-32). However, children under 18 can legally participate in amusement games with non-cash prizes.

New Mexico imposes a legal age requirement of 21+ for casinos and sports wagering but 18+ for lottery games, charitable gambling, and pari-mutuel betting.

All legal land-based casinos in New Mexico are tribal gaming venues or state-licensed racinos. The minimum age for partaking in any form of casino gambling is 21+.

People under 21 are also prohibited from entering land-based casinos. Section 15.1.10.15 of the New Mexico Code puts the responsibility of preventing underage gambling in the hands of the operators. If an underage gambler attempts to claim winnings, the game is considered void.

New Mexico has a retail-only sports betting industry. As long as you are over 21, you can legally place bets at any licensed sportsbook. These are all located at tribal casinos; it is only through the tribal-state compacts that sports betting is permitted.

New Mexico Statutes §§6-24-15 illegalize minors buying a lottery ticket. However, persons under 18 years of age “may receive lottery tickets as gifts.”

It is also illegal for retailers to sell lottery tickets to anyone under the age of 18 (Statutes §§6-24-32).

Under §15.2.7.8 from the New Mexico Racing Commission, “no person under eighteen years of age is permitted to purchase or cash a pari-mutuel ticket.”

Charity Bingo & Raffles

The New Mexico “Bingo & Raffle Act” doesn’t specify any age restrictions; there is no age limit for playing bingo or entering a bingo hall. However, operators can set their own age limits for games.

In New York, you can legally engage in most forms of gambling at age 18. However, some casinos have a 21+ policy.

The legal gambling age for casinos in New York is 18. However, commercial casinos require you to be 21 or older to enter the premises due to alcohol licensing. Tribal casinos that serve alcohol also abide by the 21+ restriction.

Therefore, eighteen-year-olds are restricted to casino gambling at racinos or tribal casinos that don’t serve alcohol. “Casino night” fundraisers are also legal in New York and open to players aged 18.

In-person and online sports betting are legal in New York. Players must be over the age of 21 (New York Codes § 5329.19).

New York Tax Law §1610 states that “No ticket shall be sold to any person under the age of eighteen years, but this shall not be deemed to prohibit the purchase of a ticket for the purpose of making a gift by a person eighteen years of age or older to a person less than that age.”

Any lottery retailer found to sell tickets to minors is guilty of a misdemeanor.

New York General Municipal Law §195-a illegalizes anyone under the age of 18 from playing any game of chance run by a non-profit organization. This applies to charity casino nights, bingo games, raffles, and other accepted gambling games.

Children age 16+ can perform non-gaming activities related to the conduction of a bingo event (New York General Municipal Law §486).

NY Pari-Mutual Wagering & Breeding Law § 108 prohibits operators from allowing “any person who is actually or apparently under eighteen years of age to bet on gaming activity.”

North Carolina

North Carolina has legalized most forms of gambling. Most have an age requirement of 21, but there are some legal options for 18-year-olds.

Tribal Casinos & Bingo

There are two Indian casinos in North Carolina. You must be 21 or older to be allowed to play any Class III casino games. The law is also strict on allowing anyone under the age of 21 inside the casino building, including non-gambling areas (restaurants, gift outlets, etc.).

Cherokee Tribal Bingo is a bingo-only destination. As a Class II game, eighteen-year-olds are permitted to play bingo at this venue.

You must be 21 or older to legally be on sports in North Carolina. There are currently only retail sportsbooks in the state, but mobile sportsbooks could come sometime in 2023.

The legalization of sports wagering also permitted pari-mutuel wagering on horses at tribal casinos, which was previously banned. However, betting in greyhound races remains illegal under State Statue § 14-309.20. As the only place to make wagers is at casinos, a 21+ age limit applies.

North Carolina General Statute 18C-131 prohibits (1) the sale of lottery tickets to anyone under the age of 18 and (2) the purchase of lottery tickets unless you’re 18+. Illegal sale or purchase of lottery tickets is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor.

State Statutes § 14-309.5 on bingo do not specify any age restriction.

North Dakota

North Dakota has three legal ages for gambling – 18, 19, and 21 – depending on which type of gambling you’re engaging in.

Players must be at least 18 years old to purchase and redeem lottery tickets. You’re also prohibited from gifting tickets to minors under State Statutes § 53-12.1-08, which makes sense considering children cannot legally redeem prizes.

Unlike many other states, North Dakota has no age restriction on the age of lottery sellers: “Any employee, regardless of age, may sell a lottery ticket.”

There are no commercial or online casinos in North Dakota. However, tribal and chartiable casinos are permitted under current law.

The legal age for gambling at tribal casinos in North Dakota has recently dropped from 21 to 19. Governor Doug Burgum signed new compacts into law to lower the legal age limit. Under the agreement, you can enjoy a full range of Class III games at 19+.

Charitable casinos are governed by North Dakota Century Code §53-06.1-03. According to the law, pull-tabs, punchboards, calcuttas, paddlewheels, and poker are for people aged 21+.

Sports wagering is legal in North Dakota through tribal gaming compacts. The recently amended tribal-state agreements outrightly require all sports bettors to be 19 or older. Unfortunately, mobile sports betting is illegal.

Charitable pull-tabs fall under charitable gaming and require players to be 21 or older. For charitable bingo events, you legally need to be 18+ to participate unless accompanied by an adult.

North Dakota has different age restrictions on pari-mutuel wagering, depending on where the betting takes place. It imposes a legal age requirement of 18+ when placing pari-mutuel bets on horses at race tracks, whereas a 21+ policy for OTB locations.

The gambling age in Ohio ranges from 18 to 21, although a hilarious minimum age of 60+ is required for the operation of senior bingo games.

Commercial Casinos & Racinos

The legal age for casino gambling in Ohio is 21. It is also forbidden for anyone under 21 to enter a casino. Licensed casino operators are guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree for permitting anyone less than 21 years of age to enter the facility (Ohio Revised Code §3772.99).

Employees at commercial casinos can be between the ages of 18 and 21 and work in a gaming area. However, their duties must be non-gaming related (Ohio Rev. Code §3772.24).

HB 29 was signed into law in December 2021, legalizing online and retail sports betting in Ohio. The industry is governed by R.C. Chapters 3770 and 3775 of the Revised Code, which sets a legal age requirement of 21+.

Ohio law is also strict on advertising sports betting to minors. Advertisements may not target individuals under the age of 21, and failure to comply may result in administrative action.

“No person shall sell a lottery ticket to any person under eighteen years of age, and no person under eighteen years of age shall attempt to purchase a lottery ticket.” Ohio Rev. Code §3770.08.

You have to be 18+ to participate in pari-mutuel wagering on horse races. However, you can legally attend live race events at age 16+. Children under 16 can also be admitted when accompanied by an adult. (Ohio Administrative Code §3769-4-07).

Bingo Games

Under the Ohio Revised Code §§173.121, you must be 21+ to participate in bingo games conducted at multipurpose senior centers. To operate the games, a minimum age of 60 applies.

For other forms of charitable bingo, the minimum age requirement is 18 (Rev. Code § 2915.09.1).

Oklahoma doesn’t yet have legal sports betting, but there are plenty of regulated gambling options in the state – all of which you can enjoy as an eighteen-year-old. 

Aside from VLTs at Oklahoma racetracks, all casinos are on tribal land. Indian casinos can set their minimum age to 18+ under the Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act (IGRA), and many OK casinos accept players age 18. However, venues that serve alcohol have a minimum age of 21+.

It is not prohibited for minors to enter the casino premises. However, they must be accompanied by an adult and cannot be on the gaming floor, even with adult supervision.

Oklahoma laws ban anyone under 18 from placing pari-mutuel wagers. Accompanied children are welcome at racetracks but prohibited from entering gaming floors at racinos.

Individuals under 18 are prohibited from purchasing tickets for any lottery game.

Title 3A,  Section 72 of the Oklahoma Lottery Laws also makes it illegal to pay out prizes on any ticket purchased by a minor. However, you are allowed to “lawfully purchase tickets or shares from making a gift of lottery tickets or shares to another” – which includes gifting to minors.

Under the Oklahoma Charity Games Act, you must be at least 18 years old to participate in charitable bingo games unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Oregon Revised Statutes §163.575 make it a crime to induce, cause, or permit a person under 18 years of age to participate in gambling. However, some forms of gambling require you to be 21+.

Tribal Gaming

The Oregon constitution prohibits commercial casinos, but Native American casinos are permitted. You can legally enter tribal casinos in Oregon at the age of 18. However, although the legal age for gambling is 18, land-based casinos that serve alcohol require players to be 21 or older.

There are also certain games that are off-limits to anyone under the age of 18. You have to be 21+ to play poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette. Meanwhile, bingo games at Indian casinos are legal at 18.

Online sports betting is only available via the Oregon lottery, meaning there is one sportsbook app in the state: DraftKings. The legal age for online sports betting at DraftKings Oregon is 21.

Retail sportsbooks are also permitted at tribal casinos. Again, a legal age requirement of 21+ applies, but the rules on the types of bets are slightly different at tribal sportsbooks. Most notably, you are permitted to wager on college sports in-person but not on the DraftKings app.

The Oregon Lottery runs standard lottery games and regulates video lottery terminals (VLTs) at licensed retailers in the state.

Lottery tickets can be bought and redeemed by players age 18+, whereas VLTs are limited to people over the age of 21 (Oregon Revised Statutes §§461.250). Lottery game retailers must also be over the age of 18, according to §§461.300.

You can legally place pari-mutuel wagers at the age of 18 in Oregon. However, “no person shall purchase a mutuel wagering ticket or receipt for or on behalf of a person under 18 years of age.”

Under ORS §§462.190, people under 18 are also banned from entering race courses at any time wagering is permitted unless accompanied by an adult. Children age 14+ are allowed to enter if they are an employee of the track. 

Bingo cards and raffle tickets can be sold to people under 18, but only when a parent or guardian is there to witness the purchase.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the few US states to have legalized all forms of gambling.

There are several age restrictions for land-based casino gambling in Pennsylvania outlined in PA Code § 513a.2. People under the age of 21 are forbidden from:

• Entering the gaming floor (unless 18+ and employed by the casino)
• Placing wagers on slot machines and table games at state-licensed casinos
• Collecting winnings or recovering losses from gambling activities. (Any winnings won by underage gamblers are used to support problem gambling).

§ 513a.3 also makes it illegal for land-based casinos to allow players under 21 to enter the casino. They must remove under-21s from the venue and refuse to pay winnings.

Online Poker & Casinos

Online poker and casino gambling were legalized in 2017 with the passing of the Expanded Gaming Act. The legal age for internet gaming is “21, which mirrors the minimum age for gaming in a Pennsylvania casino,” according to the PA Gaming Control Board.

Sportsbooks

Title 58 of the PA Code § 1401.8 states that “no person under the age of 21 may engage in sports wagering.” Breaking this law is considered a criminal offense in Pennsylvania.

The legal age requirement for pari-mutuel betting on horses is 18. PA Consolidated Statutes Title 3 § 9340.a does allow under-18s to attend racing events if accompanied by an adult. Employees under the age of 18 are permitted at the racetrack.

No person under the age of 18 shall be permitted to play bingo unless accompanied by an adult (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 10 §305).

Pennsylvania Statutes Title 72 § 3761-309 clearly state that “no ticket or share shall be sold to any person under 18 years of age.” Any lottery retailer that knowingly sells tickets to under-18-year-olds can be fined up to $500.

Gifting tickets to minors is legal, so long as the ticket is lawfully purchased by someone 18+.

All legal forms of gambling in Rhode Island have a minimum age requirement of 18 or older.

Commercial Casinos

The only casinos in Rhode Island are two commercial casino properties. You must be 18 or older to play slot machines, table games, or poker at either venue.

Rhode Island General Laws § 42-61.3-2 impose punishments for both underage gamblers and anyone that allows underage gambling. Minors playing or attempting to play casino games are referred to family court, whereas those accepting wagers from under-eighteens are punished with up to one-year imprisonment and/or up to a $1,000 fine.

Under Rhode Island General Laws § 42-61.2-3.3, people under eighteen are prohibited from participating in sports wagering. This rule applies to retail and mobile sportsbooks.

It is unlawful for anyone under 18 to purchase lottery tickets. However, Chapter 10 of the Rhode Island Lottery Regulations does not “prohibit the purchase of a ticket for the purpose of making a gift by a person eighteen years of age.”

Payments of lottery winnings can be made to minors in accordance with the “Uniform Transfers to Minors Act” Rhode Island General Laws, Chapter 18-7.

General Laws of Rhode Island §§41-4-2 allow pari-mutuel racing at licensed horse racetracks only. “Minors” are prohibited from betting, which refers to anyone under the age of 18. However, none of this matters – all live racetracks in Rhode Island have closed.

The only place to wager on horses in Rhode Island is at state-licensed sportsbooks.

You have to be 18 or older to play bingo in Rhode Island. There are no exceptions to this, even for childen accompanied by a parent or guardian. (RI Gen. Laws § 11-19-32)

South Carolina

Currently, the only forms of legal gambling in South Carolina are charitable gaming and the lottery. There is also a sole cruise ship casino, The Big “M” Casino, and fantasy sports.

You must be 18 or older to legally purchase lottery tickets in South Carolina. However, anyone 18+ “may purchase lawfully lottery game tickets or shares to gift to a person of any age” (South Carolina Code § 59-150-210).

Prizes under $25,000 can be paid to minors with winning tickets, but anything over this amount must be paid to a conservator and help on their behalf.

Under South Carolina Code Article 24 § 12-21, licensed charities and non-profits can legally operate bingo games for fundraising purposes. You must be 18 or older to participate in these events.

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are not outrightly legal or regulated in South Carolina. However, operators are permitted to provide their offerings in the state as a “game of chance.” Players age 18+ can legally enter paid fantasy sports tournaments.  

Cruiseship Casinos

Casino gambling is prohibited in South Carolina, but cruiseship casinos can operate under the Gambling Cruise Act (SC Code of Laws § 3-11). You must be 21 or older to board the ships and wager on the gaming floor.

South Dakota

South Dakota has legalized most forms of gambling but is lacking online options. The legal age varies depending on the form of gambling in question.

All commercial casinos in South Dakota are located in Deadwood. Native Indian casinos can also be found outside of Deadwood on tribal land.

Both tribal and state-run casinos have a strict 21+ policy. South Dakota Codified Laws §§42-7B-35 states: “Any participant in any gaming shall be twenty-one years or older. No licensee may permit any person who is less than twenty-one years of age to participate in any gaming.”

You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in South Dakota, which is currently only available at retail sportsbooks. Using a fake ID when placing or redeeming a bet is classed as a Class 6 felony for the person placing the wager and the licensed operator. (SD Codifed L. § 42-7B-83).

SD Codified Laws § 42-7B-40 also requires at least one employee on a licensed premise to be over 21 years of age.

South Dakota Codified Laws §42-7-76 prohibits “minors” from participating in pari-mutuel wagering. This means only people who are 18+ can legally bet on horse racing.

State Lottery

South Dakota Codified Law § 42-7A-32 requires players to be at least 18 years old to purchase tickets for lottery games. This includes scratch card games and tickets for lotto draws like Powerball, Mega Millions, and Dakota Cash. Tickets can be gifted to minors, but winnings must be paid to a parent.

Video lottery games are also legal in the state and regulated by the State Lottery. However, only people aged 21+ can play video lottery machines (South Dakota Codified Laws § 42-7A-48).

Under SD Codified L § 42-7A-13, lottery retailers must also “be at least eighteen years of age.”

It is legal for non-profits to conduct bingo and raffles for fundraising purposes, governed by SD Codified Laws §22-25-25. The regulations do not set any parameters with regard to age.  

Until 2003, there were no legal forms of gambling in Tennessee; now, it permits sports betting, charity gaming, fantasy sports, and lotteries. The minimum age for each is as follows:

Launching in 2020, sports betting is the latest form of gambling for Tennessee lawmakers to legalize. Tennessee Code § 4-51-301 states that anyone “who is twenty-one years of age or older and who is physically located in this state may place a wager in the manner authorized by law.”

The industry is online-only, meaning all legal wagers must be placed via one of the regulated sportsbook apps.

Tennessee outrightly legalized DFS in 2016 with the passing of the Fantasy Sports Act. The legislation states that “only players age 18 and over may participate in fantasy sports contests.”

The lottery was the first form of legal gambling in Tennessee, the first tickets being sold in 2003. You must be 18 or older the legally purchase any type of lottery ticket or redeem lottery prizes. State lotteries and multi-jurisdictional draws are permitted.

Registered charitable organizations can run an annual “game of chance” fundraising event under the Tennessee Nonprofit Gaming Law. Participants must be 18+.

Texas is known for having a strict gambling industry. Under Penal Code §47.02, gambling is considered a criminal offense. The only exceptions are charitable gambling, pari-mutuel betting, the State Lottery, and tribal gaming.

Indian Casinos

You must be 21 to enter land-based casinos in Texas and play any casino games.

As gambling is illegal in Texas, the only casino properties are tribal casinos. The tribes are permitted to offer Class II gaming – which includes electronic bingo machines and non-banked card games – under the Indian Gambling Regulatory Act.  

Tickets for the lottery can only be purchased by people over the age of 18. However, adults can lawfully purchase tickets to gifts for people of any age.

Pari-mutuel wagering is available to anyone age 18+ in Texas. You can place bets on live or simulcast horse racing. Texas is also one of the few states that allow live greyhound races and permit wagering on dog racing events.

Charitable organizations can conduct bingo games under the “Bingo Enabling Act” (Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 2011). The Act states that “an individual younger than 18 years of age may not play bingo… unless the individual is accompanied by the individual's parent or guardian.”

However, licensed non-profits can choose to introduce an 18+ policy and prevent minors from entering the premises. To conduct bingo games, you must also be 18 or older.

Utah has no legal gambling; the state is entirely without casinos, sportsbooks, a state lottery, racetracks, poker rooms, or bingo. Therefore, no one – no matter how old – can legally gamble in UT.

Utah Code Section 76-10-1102 also prohibits all forms of internet or online gambling. The legislation even prohibits legal gambling if federal laws were to change: “Regardless of whether a federal law is enacted that authorizes internet gambling in the states, this section acts as this state's prohibition of any gambling, including Internet gambling, in this state.”

Vermont offers little in terms of gambling, illegalizing casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks. The state allows pari-mutuel wagering but has no racetracks, simulcast, or OTB facilities. As such, your only options are the lottery, fantasy sports, and charitable gambling.

The Vermont Lottery is one of the only legal forms of gambling in the state. Vermont Statutes Title 31 § 659 specifies that tickets cannot legally be sold to people “who have not attained the age of majority” – i.e., anyone under the age of 18. However, “tickets may be given as gifts to minors.”

Penalties for underage gambling are detailed in 31 V.S.A § 662. If caught, you will be fined up to $500 or imprisoned for up to two years, or both.

Vermont has outrightly legalized and regulated DFS, which is governed by Vermont Statutes Title 9 Chapter 116. Currently, you can participate in fantasy sports contests at 18.

Lawmakers might increase the legal age to 21. Bill H 127 – a proposal for legal sports betting in Vermont – is currently in discussion in the legislature. If passed, the industry would have a 21+ age requirement, and lawmakers have raised concerns about having two different age restrictions for DFS and legal sports betting.

Non-profit organizations can operate “games of chance” (bingo, raffles, card games, and “break-open tickets”) under charitable gaming laws (31 V.S.A. § 1201 to 1208).

You must be 18 or older to participate in any of the events. Minors can work on the site — for example, selling food and drinks — but cannot work the games.

Virginia has legalized all forms of gambling apart from online casinos. Age restrictions range from 18 to 21.

You have to be over the age of 21 to participate in casino gambling or step foot in one of the state’s casinos. Virginia Code § 58.1-4122 states: “No person under age 21 shall be permitted to make a wager under this chapter or be present where casino gaming is being conducted.”

People aged 18 to 21 are allowed to work at casinos, but their duties must be non-gaming related.

You can legally place sports wagers at retail and online sportsbooks in Virginia at the age of 21. Anyone knowingly accepting or redeeming a bet from an underage gambler is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor (Virginia Code § 58.1-4040).

§ 59.1-403 of the Code of Virginia makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to bet on horse racing events. You can legally enter a satellite facility under the age of 18, but only when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

For histrocial horse racing on video gaming terminals, the legal age is 21 or older.

Code of Virginia §§58.1-4015 prohibits the sale of lottery tickets to anyone under the age of 18. Redeeming tickets is also classed as an offense, with the licensee guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Unlike many states, Virginia has also made it illegal to gift lottery tickets to minors under VA Code §58.1-4016. It reads as follows: “Any person who knowingly gives a lottery ticket or share to any person under the age of eighteen years is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.”

Several types of charitable gaming are legal in Virginia, including bingo, electronic bingo, and Texas Hold’Em “casino night” fundraisers.

Under VA Code § 18.2-340.26, charitable gaming on electronic devices is only available for players aged 21 or older. However, you can participate in non-electronic bingo, pull-tabs, and poker at the age of 18 (Virginia Code § 18.2-340.28).

The State of Washington has a clear 18+ threshold for all forms of gambling apart from bingo, raffles, and amusement games. The passage below is from the Revised Code of Washington § 9.46.228:

“It is unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen to play in authorized gambling activities including, but not limited to, punchboards, pull-tabs, or card games, or to participate in fundraising events. Persons under the age of eighteen may play bingo, raffles, and amusement game activities only as provided in commission rules.”

Casinos & Card Rooms

Although the legal age for casino gambling in Washington is 18 years old, some casinos impose an over-twenty-one limit. For example, the North Quest Resort & Casino states that it “restricts [its] gaming floor to guests 21 years or older.”

To avoid disappointment when arriving at a casino, ensure you check the house rules beforehand to ensure under-18s are welcome.

Sports betting is only available at tribal casinos. The passage of HB 2638 amended the tribal gaming compacts, allowing tribes to open retail sportsbooks. Washington Gambling Commission defines a “prohibited sports wagering participant” as “any individual under 18 years of age.”

The statewide gambling age applies to pari-mutuel wagering: § WA Admin Code 260-48-530 states that “no person under the age of eighteen may purchase or cash any parimutuel ticket.”

It is also prohibited for unattended people under the age of 18 to enter pari-mutuel wagering areas. This implies that children are welcome at race tracks and betting locations but only when accompanied by an adult.

Under the Revised Code of Washington § 67.70.120, lottery tickets cannot legally be sold to anyone under 18. However, minors can receive lawfully purchased lottery tickets as gifts.

An age limit of 18+ applies to charitable bingo, raffles, and pull-tabs. However, § WA Admin Code 230-06-010 permits children under 18 to participate in:

• Licensed bingo games when accompanied by a parent/guardian
• Bingo at carnivals and agricultural fairs
• Raffle sales for non-profit organizations fundraising for youth development causes, only when under adult supervision

West Virginia

West Virginia’s minimum gambling age ranges from 18 to 21. The state has multiple casinos, sportsbooks, racetracks, and even online casinos for you to enjoy.

West Virginia has five land-based facilities that offer video lottery terminals (VLTs) and casino table games such as blackjack, roulette, and craps. These are overseen by the WV Lottery and governed by §29-22C and §29-22A of the West Virginia Code.

WVC §29-22C-29limits access to table games to players over 21. It is also prohibited for people under 21 to enter or remain in designated table gaming areas at the state’s racetracks. Meanwhile, VLTs can be played at the age of 18+ (WVC §29-22A-9).

Online Casinos

West Virginia is one of the six US states with regulated online casinos after lawmakers passed the WV Lottery Interacting Wagering Act (WVC §29-22E-1) in 2019. Under the Act, you must be 21 or older to play online casino games.

Any casino licensee that permits an individual under the age of 21 to place online wagers is guilty of a misdemeanor and can be fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned for six months, or both.

According to WV Code §29-22D-15, the minimum legal age for sports betting is 21. This applies to placing a wager at a “licensed gaming facility where authorized sports wagering occurs” or “by means of electronic devices.”

The West Virginia Code §29-22-11 makes selling lottery tickets to people under 18 years old illegal. However, gifting tickets purchased by people aged 18+ to minors is legal.

Anyone breaking this law shall be fined $50 to $500 or imprisoned for up to one year, or both.

§19-23-9 of the West Virginia Code sets the legal age for pari-mutuel betting at 18 or older: “No licensee shall permit or allow any individual under the age of eighteen years to wager at any horse or dog racetrack.”

West Virginia law prohibits people under 18 from playing charity bingo. However, children under 18 are legally permitted to attend bingo events with an adult relative (West Virginia Code §47-20-4).

The legal gambling age in Wisconsin is 18. However, you must be 21 or older to play casino games at tribal gambling destinations.

All casinos in Wisconsin are Native Indian casinos. Under current tribal-state compacts that permit tribes to offer Class III gaming, you must legally be 21 or older to enter the premises and wager on the gaming floor.

Previously, you were permitted to enter all tribal casinos at the age of 18. However, renewed compacts from 1998 onward raised the legal age to 21+.

Sportsbooks are only available at tribal casinos in Wisconsin. There is no overarching state legislation that manages sports betting – it has been negotiated through tribal compacts. Currently, three tribal agreements that allow sports wagering have been signed, each setting the legal age at 21+.

Pari-mutuel wagering is overseen by the State of Wisconsin under Chapter 562 of the WI Statutes. §§ 562.06 sets the legal gambling age for horse racing bets at 18: “No person under the age of 18 years may make a wager in any race or receive any payout on a wager.”

The law also makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to be admitted to a racetrack unless accompanied by an adult. The exception is for racetrack employees that can be employed from the age of 16+.

Under Wisconsin Statutes §§565.17, it is illegal for anyone under 18 to purchase lottery tickets. It is permitted to gift lottery tickets to minors, assuming the ticket was initially bought by an adult.

Wisconsin Statutes §§563.15 outline restrictions on charitable bingo. The law prohibits minors from participating in bingo games unless an adult blood relative of the child is present on the premises at the time of the event.

To conduct or aid in the conduction of charitable bingo, you must be 18+.

Wyoming is one of the few jurisdictions to impose a statewide legal gambling age of 18 for casinos, sportsbooks, pari-mutuel betting, charitable gaming, and the lottery.

Native American Casinos

Casino gambling is illegal in Wyoming under WY Stat § 6-7-102. It states that “A person who engages in gambling commits a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or both.” Therefore, commercial and online casinos are banned in the state.

For this reason, Wyoming is home only to tribal casino properties. They’re licensed to offer Class III gaming under current tribal-state compacts. A legal age of 18+ is required to enter or wager at any of the land-based casinos. 

Online Sports Betting

Wyoming has an online-only sports betting industry with four sportsbook operators currently available in the state. You need to be 18+ to participate: Under WY Statutes § 9-24-105, “no person under the age of eighteen years shall engage in online sports wagering.”

You must be 18 or older to purchase tickets through the Wyoming Lottery Corporation. Wyoming Statutes § 9-17-118, however, does allow lottery tickets to be gifted to people of any age, including minors (under-18s).

It is illegal for anyone under eighteen to place a pari-mutuel bet (Wyoming Statutes § 11-25-205).

WY Statutes § 11-25-201 also state that licensees may “not allow minors to open, own or have access to advance deposit pari-mutuel wagering accounts.” This prohibits anyone under 18 from having an account with an online racebook.

Charitable gaming is licensed in Wyoming under W.S. § 11-25-104(n). You need to be 18 or older to play bingo or pull-tab games.

Gambling Age by State: FAQs

How old must you be to gamble in the us.

The legal age for gambling in the US depends on the type of gambling activity you’re undertaking. Most states permit lottery games, charitable bingo, pari-mutuel wagering, and DFS at 18. Meanwhile, casino gambling and sports betting typically have a 21+ requirement.

However, the legal gambling age in the US is decided at a state level, so it’s entirely dependent on where you live. Use this guide to help figure out the legal options in your state.

Do you have to be 21 to enter casinos in the US?

Most casinos in the US require you to be at least 21. This is true even in states with a legal age for casino gambling of 18 due to alcohol being served on the premises. Nevertheless, some casinos do allow those under 18 to enter certain areas of the gaming floor.

Can 18-year-olds enter casinos that serve alcohol?

No, US commercial and tribal casinos that serve alcohol have a strict 21 or older policy. This age limit is in place because the legal age for drinking in the US is 21, as governed by federal law. Therefore, even if gambling is legal at 18 in your state, drinking alcohol is not.  

What is the legal gambling age for online casinos?

Online casinos are only legal in six states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. All these states impose a minimum age of 21 for online casino gambling. However, most offshore online casinos accept players aged 18 or older.

What happens if I am an underage gambler?

The punishment for underage gambling varies by jurisdiction as it’s dictated by state law. Most US states issue small fines ($100 to $1,000), community service, or probation. However, underage gamblers can face jail time.

Licensed operators that knowingly take wagers from underage players are also punished, often with heavier fines. They may also have their gaming licenses revoked.

Who regulates the gambling markets in the US?

In the US, gambling is regulated at federal and state levels. Each state in the US decides its own gambling laws and establishes its own regulatory bodies. The federal government mainly supports the enforcement of state laws and prosecutes illegal multi-state operators.

What types of gambling are available for 18-year-olds?

In most US states, you can legally purchase lottery tickets, place pari-mutuel bets, and enter fantasy sports contests at 18. A handful of states also have regulated 18+ land-based casinos and sportsbooks.

In terms of online gambling, offshore casinos are your best option. As these gambling sites are outside US jurisdiction and don’t need to comply with state laws, they tend to accept players 18 or older – even if the legal gambling age in your state is 21.

Stay Ahead of the Game

Are you ready to take your online gambling experience to the next level? Sign up for the LetsGambleUSA newsletter and get the latest news, exclusive offers, and expert tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Riverboat Gambling In The US – The Best Riverboat Casinos

We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert . Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

If you were to close your eyes and imagine a riverboat casino, your mind will probably conjure up an image that would look like something straight out of a Mark Twain novel. Riverboats are represented in pop culture as paddlewheel steamboats that float around languidly, while the cacophony of laughter and excited hoots make their way through the air.

However, riverboat casinos are far more advanced than once thought out to be, offering a unique experience to tourists and seasoned gamblers. In this guide, we’ll take a trip down the river and explore the origins, history and current state of the best riverboat casinos in the USA. All aboard!

Riverboat Gambling In The US – The Rise of the Riverboat Casinos

If only it was easy to point out a go-to destination for the best riverboat casinos. Riverboat gambling goes back a long way through American history. To see a complete picture of riverboat gambling today, we need to first ride down the cruise ship of history to discover the origins of riverboat gambling . Meanwhile, if you are located in any state with legal online gambling, you can play at any of the best online casinos in the US . Read on till the end of this guide to take your pick on the best riverboat casino locations.

• 📖 History of riverboat gambling
• ⛵ Riverboat gambling economies
• 🧐 Fun Facts
• 💰 Riverboat Casinos Today

History of Riverboat Gambling in the USA

When riverboat gaming first took the USA by storm, paddlewheel riverboats had long been used on the Mississippi River as a means of passenger and freight transportation. With the advent of the railways, riverboats saw their utility decline and started to be viewed as entertainment and leisure vessels by the public.

Boat cruises were popular for their live music and dancing, but also as a way to escape the crowded cities across the US. As these boats became entertainment hubs, gambling gained popularity on board . Initially, gambling was limited to card and table games, but slot machines were eventually added to most riverboats. Nowadays, players in states with legal online gambling can enjoy the best real money online casinos . For example, if they are within the state of New Jersey, they can enjoy the best online casinos in NJ without leaving the comfort of their own homes.

As the Mississippi River served as the border of several states, it created the perfect legal gray area. In 1903, several states simultaneously softened their stance on gambling due to the economic potential that it offered. Thus began the golden era of riverboat gambling . The first casinos were required to be located on ships that would have to sail away from the dock. In some parts, gambling was only allowed once the ship was sailing.

The Lyndon B. Johnson Era

The administration under Lyndon. B Johnson placed significant restrictions on what riverboat casinos could legally do. In 1951, the Transportation of Gambling Devices Act was passed, which made the transportation of gambling devices across state borders illegal. This placed limitations on how riverboats could operate.

Riverboat casinos were first approved by state lawmakers in the late 20th century by those states which prohibited gambling on land. In the 1980s, lawmakers had the vision to revive the golden era of riverboat gambling. Several states simultaneously introduced laws that permitted gambling on water vessels, creating the framework under which they still operate today. Iowa was the first state to fully legalize riverboat gambling . Apart from Iowa, Riverboat gambling is legal in Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, and Missouri too.

Riverboat Casino Economies

In 2010, there were 10 operational riverboat casinos. This number might pale in comparison to the number of land casinos in the United States, but riverboat gambling saw a massive boom during the 2010s. In 2018, there were 63 riverboat casinos in operation across the legal states. This spike in growth suggests that riverboat casinos have a distinct appeal, separate from that of land-based casinos.

Riverboats make massive contributions to local economies, as all winnings are taxed by the state. Before you start playing, make sure to acquaint yourself with the gambling commission of the state in which you are planning on playing. In Iowa, if you win over $1,200, you’ll be paying an eye-watering 15% as tax to the state and 5% to the local community, whereas in Iowa, the tax rate stands at a little over 5%.

Proponents of riverboat casinos frequently argue that these floating casinos increase employment rates in the communities where the boats are docked. To support the requirements of large floating casinos, communities are engaged in the development of restaurants, shopping, accommodation, recreation, and other hospitality facilities to capitalize on the spending power of visiting tourists .

Since state legislatures were never willing to give up on the revenues generated by casinos. In a unique ruling in 1998, courts had stated that boats had to be “solely over and in contact with the surface” of rivers, thereby eliminating the need for actual floating vessels. Over time, the rules were amended to allow the construction of casinos on stilts , with the caveat that they had to be located in navigable water.

Fun Facts About Riverboat Casinos

Before we get into the list of top riverboat gambling destinations, we would like to share a few fun historical facts and trivia that you might find interesting. These facts might even make good conversation starters should you get down to maritime gaming.

When riverboat gambling was legalized for the first time in the late 1980s, different states put forward varying cosmetic requirements . In an inconvenience to casino owners, all Louisiana riverboat casinos were required to be constructed exactly like the 19th-century paddlewheel steamboats, for reasons unknown. To run a legal riverboat casino in Indiana, vessels had to have a minimum length of 150 feet and a minimum carrying capacity of 500 passengers.

There have also been violent incidents associated with riverboat gambling. As riverboat casinos operated on the water, it was often thought that they were somehow exempt from the laws of the land. Historians have discovered several instances of individuals punishing cheaters and thieves by taking the law into their own hands. in 1835, five gamblers were lynched in Vicksburg Mississippi when they were caught cheating.

Some of the biggest reforms to riverboat gambling were brought on – unfortunately – by Hurricane Katrina. Before 2005, most riverboat casinos only allowed gambling when the vessel was sailing. However, this was not realistic all year round, as boats could not leave their docks in unpredictable weather . After Katrina, most state laws dictate that riverboat casinos need to be docked for safety.

Riverboat Casinos Today

The Mississippi River region is still the hotbed of all riverboat gambling in the United States. Today, there are over 20 riverboat casinos that gamblers can choose from. Let’s take a look at some of the best riverboat casinos today. In order to make this list, the casinos that we evaluated have had to meet stringent requirements of variety, novelty, hospitality, and service.

The Amelia Belle, Louisiana

One of the best riverboat casinos in Louisiana that we recommend are owned by Boyd Gaming, the casino giant from Paradise Nevada. The Amelia Belle is located in Amelia Louisiana , between Houma and Morgan City, built on the edge of the water in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway.

The Amelia Belle could easily be considered one of the beautiful casinos in this guide. Spread out over four stories, it sports a turn-of-the-century look and appears stunning when illuminated at night. The Amelia Belle has over 800 slot machines and 15 table games .

The Amelia Belle recently added dining options to feed the hunger of visiting gamblers. If you are visiting, drop by the Bayou Cafe on the first floor to grab a quick bite. The Amelia Belle is open 24×7 on the weekends and you can expect games like Blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em, Three Card Poker, and Electronic Roulette.

Grand Victoria Casino, Illinois

The El Dorado Resorts-owned Grand Victoria Casino is located on the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois. The Grand Victoria stands out from the other top riverboat casinos in this guide as it has an abundance of restaurants on board . Before we look into their gastronomical offerings, let’s examine gambling aboard the Grand Victoria.

The Grand Victoria offers a gambling experience unmatched by others in the area. With a casino floor that covers 29850 square feet , you could spend hours at the Grand Victoria without going through everything that’s on offer. The casino even has a High Limit Room for big bettors.

Within the casino, you’ll find 1000 of the most popular slot machines and video poker games. You can also try your hand at 29 Vegas-style table games, a poker room, a lounge, and seasonal entertainment venues . There are also several well-established hotels near Grand Victoria, in case you want to make your excursion a multi-day affair.

While most riverboat casinos were slow to catch up to fine dining experiences, the Grand Victoria is ahead of the curve. You can indulge yourself at four restaurants on board named Buckinghams Steakhouse and Lounge, Indulge Show Kitchen Buffer, Crave Deli and Prime Burger house.

Casino Queen Marquette

Casino Queen Marquette is a smaller riverboat casino owned by CQ Holdings. Thanks to its small size and limited capacity, Queen Marquette offers a more exclusive and personalized experience in comparison to other top riverboat casinos. Located next to a 31-acre site, the casino has a marina, an enclosed dining pavilion on the first floor, and an entertainment center on the second floor.

Since it is a small and quaint casino, you will only find 8 live tables at Queen Marquette. This is balanced out with the provision of 566 slot machines and video poker games . Some of the games you can look forward to playing at Queen Marquette are Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em, Blackjack and Fusion Roulette.

Ameristar Casino MIssissippi

The Ameristar Casino is located on the banks of the famed Mississippi River. It is conveniently located on the Mississippi-Louisiana border just off Interstate 20. The casino is part of a much larger complex featuring a hotel, three restaurants, a blues bar, a cabaret, and a full-service RV Park.

The Ameristar Casino has 70,000 square feet of the casino floor. You can enjoy games at 27 tables or 1571 gaming machines. There are also 10 live-action poker tables. The casino has been designed to retain the atmosphere of a 19th-century gambling boat .

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve had your eyes glued to the screen till the end of this guide, you know exactly where to go to find an authentic riverboat gambling experience in the USA>. Apart from the casino boats mentioned in this guide, there are several others that are worth looking into. However, we can guarantee that you will have a fabulous experience playing at the casinos that we have covered in this guide.

Is riverboat gambling legal in the USA?

How many riverboat casinos are operational in the usa, which is the best riverboat gambling facility in america, what games are available at the best riverboat casinos, what additional facilities are available at riverboat casinos.

• Terms & Conditions

• Golden Nugget
• Online Slots
• Online Baccarat
• Online Blackjack
• Online Roulette
• Casino Guides
• Destinations

The Legacy and Historical Influence of Riverboat Casinos in the United States

Welcome aboard as we set sail into the captivating world of riverboat casinos in the United States . On this page, we’ll walk you through their legal status and historical implications, explore the where, what, and why of these floating gaming venues, and finally, take a close look at the modern condition of riverboat gambling.

As we explore the ins and outs of this unique chapter in American gaming history, we’ll also take a glance at if riverboat casinos have left a mark on the WV online gambling scene and gambling in the US in general.

• Legal Status of Riverboat Gambling
• Boat Casinos Regulation in Various States
• History of Riverboat Gambling
• Popular Riverboat Casinos

The Legal Status of Riverboat Gambling

Historically, casino boats were allowed in many states, mostly those with access to the Mississippi River. Today, only six states still allow this form of gambling:

Mississippi

Gambling boats are essentially floating casinos operating on designated waterways . They offer a wide variety of gambling activities just like land-based casinos, including slots , table games , and poker .

Each state with legal riverboat gambling has its own regulatory body responsible for licensing and ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. These regulations typically address aspects such as gambling activities allowed, revenue sharing with the state, security measures, responsible gambling practices, and environmental considerations.

While sharing similarities with land-based casinos, riverboat casinos face additional regulations due to their unique setting, such as:

• Licensing requirements . Land-based casinos typically have more stringent licensing requirements than riverboat casinos. For instance, land-based casinos may be required to undergo a more rigorous background check and financial audit process compared to riverboat casinos;
• Location restrictions . There are usually fewer restrictions on riverboat casino locations than on those of the brick-and-mortar venues. For instance, land-based casinos might not be allowed to operate in certain areas, such as residential neighborhoods or near schools. Riverboat casinos, in turn, are more flexible when it comes to location, as they can be moored on rivers that flow through various areas;
• Taxation . The taxation of land-based casinos and riverboat casinos can vary depending on the state. In some cases, land-based casinos may be subject to higher tax rates than riverboat casinos;
• Building codes . Land-based casinos are typically required to meet more stringent building codes than riverboat casinos. This is because land-based casinos are permanent structures, while riverboat casinos are considered temporary structures;
• Inspection and enforcement . Land-based casinos usually undergo more frequent inspections and stricter enforcement of regulations compared to riverboat casinos.

Generally, the regulation of land-based casinos tends to be more strict and comprehensive than the regulation of any casino on the Mississippi River . The reason is likely that land-based casinos are considered to have a greater impact on the surrounding community , both in terms of economic benefits and social costs.

State-by-State Riverboat Gambling Regulations

As of 2024, it’s legal to run and visit a riverboat casino in six states. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:

Here, riverboat casinos are allowed on the Mississippi River , the Illinois River , and the Des Plaines River . The casinos must be located at least 300 feet from the shore and be accessible to the public by land or water . Riverboat casinos in Illinois are regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board .

In Indiana, boat casinos can operate on the Ohio River , the Indiana Harbor , and the Patoka Lake Reservoir . They must be located at least 600 feet from the shore . Riverboat casinos in Indiana are regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission .

In this state, it’s legal for riverboat casinos to operate on the Mississippi River and the Missouri River . They must be located at least 300 feet from the shore and are regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission .

A riverboat casino in Louisiana is allowed to operate on the Mississippi River , the Red River , and the Gulf of Mexico as long as they are located at least 300 feet from the shore . The casinos here are regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board .

Obviously, a riverboat casino in Mississippi can be located on the Mississippi River at least 300 feet from the shore . Boat casinos in Mississippi are regulated by the Mississippi Gaming Commission .

Last but not least, Missouri riverboat casinos are allowed on the Mississippi River and the Missouri River at least 300 feet from the shore . Riverboat casinos in Missouri are regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission .

Brief History of Riverboat Casinos

Explore the history of riverboat casinos in the United States, tracing their origins, development, and impact on both the gambling industry and American culture.

19th Century: The Origins of Riverboat Gambling

The roots of riverboat gambling can be traced back to the 19th century when steamboats were the primary mode of transportation along the Mississippi River. As passengers went on long journeys, gambling became a popular pastime to pass the time. While gambling activities were generally illegal on land at that time, boats provided a loophole, as they were considered to be outside of state jurisdiction.

Early 20th Century: Decline and Revival

The invention of railroads in the early 20th century led to a logical decline in riverboat travel, and respectively, riverboat gambling. However, the 1970s saw a reappearance of interest in riverboat casinos, primarily because of the push to revitalize urban areas.

1990s: Expansion and Legalization

The 1990s marked a period of significant growth for riverboat casinos. Several states legalized riverboat gambling, and the industry expanded rapidly. By the late 1990s, there were over 150 riverboat casinos operating in the United States.

2005: Hurricane Katrina and Its Devastating Blow

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, causing widespread destruction and displacement. The storm severely impacted the boat casino industry in Mississippi and Louisiana, with several casinos suffering significant damage or complete destruction.

Late 2010s: Post-Katrina Recovery and Adaptation

The consequences of Hurricane Katrina brought significant changes to the riverboat casino industry. While some casinos managed to rebuild and reopen, others had to close permanently. The industry also faced increased competition from brick-and-mortar casinos, which were gaining popularity at that time.

Today: A Mature Industry

Today, a casino boat remains a popular form of entertainment in the United States. However, the industry has matured and consolidated, with the number of riverboat casinos decreasing in recent years. Despite these changes, riverboat casinos continue to be an important economic driver in many regions.

Popular Riverboat Casinos in the US

Now that we know all the theory about riverboat gambling, let’s get to practice and take a look at the most popular water casinos in the United States.

The Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin, Illinois

Located along the beautiful Fox River, The Grand Victoria Casino is a home (or rather a boat) of true gaming elegance. Known as the largest riverboat casino in Illinois, it boasts an impressive 65,000 square feet of gaming space including slots, table games, and a poker room. The casino also offers a variety of dining and entertainment options, including a steakhouse, a buffet, and a concert venue.

Ameristar Casino Vicksburg – Vicksburg, Mississippi

The Ameristar Casino Vicksburg is one of the oldest and most crowded riverboat casinos in Mississippi with over 50,000 square feet of gaming space . The wide choice of slots, table games, and poker tables is complemented by all kinds of entertainments, from the flavors of a diverse buffet to comedy clubs and nightclubs.

Horseshoe Casino – Bossier City, Louisiana

The Horseshoe Casino is one of the largest riverboat casinos in Louisiana and one of the most popular. It features over 100,000 square feet of gaming space , including slots, table games, and a poker room. The casino also offers a variety of dining and entertainment options, so players can choose between a steakhouse, a buffet, a concert venue, and others.

Sam’s Town Casino – Shreveport, Louisiana

Sam’s Town Casino is a popular destination for all kinds of gaming enthusiasts in and out of state. With a gaming space of over 34,000 square feet , this casino offers an intimate yet exhilarating experience. Beyond the slots, table games, and poker room, Sam’s Town welcomes gamers to savor a culinary journey with a steakhouse, a buffet, and a unique entertainment experience at the in-house bowling alley.

What is the Diamond Lady casino boat?

The Diamond Lady Riverboat Casino was a paddlewheel riverboat casino that operated on the Mississippi River in Bettendorf, Iowa, from 1991 to 2008. In 2021, the Diamond Lady sank during a severe winter storm. It was later raised and brought to shore, where it remains today. The future of the Diamond Lady is uncertain, but it is possible that it will be restored and reopened as a casino or museum.

Why do casinos have to be on water in the US?

Casinos in the US don’t necessarily have to be on the water, but there are some casinos that are. This practice originated when gambling laws were more restrictive on land, and the association of riverboat gambling with waterborne transportation became a legal requirement in some states.

Why are casinos on the water so popular?

Riverboat casinos are popular for their unique charm and historical allure. The on-water setting offers players a distinctive and memorable gaming experience, contributing to the popularity of these establishments. Additionally, the regulations associated with riverboat gambling create a controlled and regulated environment that appeals to both operators and players.

Most Recent

Join our subscription list to get access to new bonus offers, online casino reviews, and industry news all in one newsletter!

Gambling Age in the US

• The legal gambling age varies by state depending on the type of game offered
• Tribal casinos are not required to follow local laws and may allow people as young as 18 years old.
• Different types of gambling may have different minimum ages. For example, horse races can accept bettors aged 18 or older.
• Some states permit certain forms of gambling (e.g., poker) for those over 18

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in the US?

In the United States , most casinos, both online and offline , have a minimum age of 21 . That said, local laws and the rules of online casino sites may sometimes differ. For example, some casino sites let people who are 18 years old play . However, if the regulations of the state say players have to be 21, gamers have to follow the local law.

The 21-year-old rule helps prevent underage gambling and the issues that may come with it. It also helps encourage responsible gambling .

Casinos often serve alcohol on the gaming floor, so a 21-year limit is usually put in place to match the national drinking age.

Gambling Age by State

Gambling age at tribal casinos.

Tribal casinos are controlled by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and therefore do not have to follow local laws unless they have a deal with the state. If the state law says that you have to be 21 to gamble, the tribal casino is not required to follow that rule.

Most tribal casinos allow people as young as 18 years old. But these casinos will raise the age limit so that there is less confusion about drinking alcohol on their casino floors.

Different types of gambling can also have different minimum ages. For example, most casinos set the age limit for casino games at 21 , but people as young as 18 can bet on horse races, play bingo , and buy lottery tickets .

Can 18-year-olds go to casinos?

18-year-olds may be able to visit a casino, depending on the state and the type of game on offer. Minimum gambling ages vary by state because each state has its own regulations governing or prohibiting various forms of gaming. Each state determines its own gambling age.

However, tribal casinos across the nation are governed by the Federal Indian Gaming Regulations and state compacts, not state legislation. Therefore, they determine their own gaming age.

This is why many tribal casinos have the nation's lowest gaming age of 18 years old . In spite of this, the legal gambling age in the majority of states ranges from 18 to 21 years old , depending on the type of gambling. This means that it may be different for sports betting, state lotteries, and casinos.

Even though most tribal casinos have the ability to set the minimum gambling age at 18, many of them choose to boost it to 21 so that they can sell alcoholic beverages without violating the national legal drinking age.

Some states with a minimum gambling age of 18 years and above include:

California Casinos: The minimum age to enter some card rooms and tribal casinos in California is 18 .

Florida Casinos: The minimum age to play poker and bingo at Florida tribal casinos is 18 , but the age to play casino games is 21 .

Georgia Casinos: Georgia doesn't have any land-based casinos, although offshore cruises there allow gambling for those 1 8 years of age or older.

Idaho Casinos: The legal gambling age is 18, but some establishments only allow patrons older than 21.

Michigan Casinos: The legal age to gamble in tribal casinos in Michigan is 18 , but in commercial casinos in Detroit, it is 21.

Minnesota Casinos: Although there aren't many games in casinos, the legal gambling age there is 18.

Montana Casinos: Tribal casinos there require a legal age of 18.

Oklahoma Casinos: The age requirement to enter Oklahoma's tribal casinos is 18.

Washington Casinos: The age restriction is 18 and above at Washington's tribal casinos.

Wyoming Casinos: Tribal casinos in the state require guests to be 18 or older.

Can anyone aged 18 enter casinos?

Most casinos permit minors under the age of 18 to stroll through the casino, but they are not permitted to stand near the gaming sections. In certain casinos, you must travel through the gaming section to reach the restaurant or other family-friendly facilities, such as the arcade.

There are various situations in which 18-year-olds may be permitted to enter a casino. For instance, some states let 18-year-olds work in gambling establishments, while others do not.

The type of casino game a person under the age of 18 wishes to play will also determine whether or not they are permitted entrance.

Due to the differing age restrictions for various forms of gambling, some 18-year-olds will be permitted in card rooms with a minimum age limit of 18 years but will not be permitted in casino-style gaming halls where the games have a minimum age restriction of 21 years.

Can 18-year-olds play poker?

Only a small number of the 39 US states that allow land-based state-regulated poker gambling also allow poker gambling for those under the age of 18. Some of these states have commercial casinos and poker rooms where people over 18 can play poker, while others are limited by state regulations but find legal protection through tribal loopholes.

The following is a list of the states where anyone above the age of eighteen can legally participate in poker and other forms of gambling:

• California (certain tribal casinos)
• Michigan (certain tribal casinos)
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma (certain tribal casinos)
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota

Most online poker rooms have distinct policies regarding the minimum age required to play. These restrictions are dependent on the poker room's location.

Some poker sites require players to be at least 21 years old to participate in online poker. However, the majority of online poker rooms put the minimum age at 18 .

Can 18-year-olds bet on horses?

Most states permit bettors as young as 18 to participate in horse racing wagering. This entails both in-person and remote wagering on live and simulated horse races. Since most wagering on horse races takes place at outside racetracks, unlike at sportsbooks, there is no need to prevent minors from entering the establishment.

Many markets accept bets from betting fans aged 18 and up, which is appropriate given that race tracks generally welcome the whole family coming to watch the events.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in an Indian Casino?

What's the legal tribal age requirement.

Tribal areas are not subject to local state gaming regulations and establish their own age restrictions. The majority of casinos on tribal grounds have an 18-year-old minimum gaming age. In order to comply with national legal drinking age regulations, however, tribal casinos that seek to sell alcohol typically raise their minimum age to 21.

Who regulates the gambling laws?

The National Indian Gaming Commission was founded in 1988 following the adoption of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). The Act was enacted to support and promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments through the operation of gaming on Indian territory.

The Act establishes a legal foundation for federal control of Indian gaming. IGRA created the Commission to regulate and support tribal gaming as a means of generating cash for tribal communities ( See 25 U.S.C. Section 2704 ).

The Commission has three full-time members, including a chairperson and two associate commissioners. The Chair is selected by the President and ratified by the Senate. The Secretary of the Interior selects the two Associate Commissioners. The Vice Chair of the Commission is chosen by a democratic majority. At least two members of the Commission must be members of a federally-recognized Indian tribe, and no more than two members may be affiliated with the same political party.

The National Indian Gaming Commission is charged with the functions listed below:

• Regulating and monitoring certain aspects of Indian regulating and monitoring certain aspects of Indian gaming;
• Regulating and monitoring certain aspects of Indian gaming;
• Coordinating its regulatory responsibilities with tribal regulatory agencies;
• Providing training and technical assistance to tribal regulatory agencies;
• Reviewing and approving tribal gaming ordinances and management agreements;
• Reviewing the backgrounds of individuals and entities to determine their suitability to manage or invest in Indian gaming; overseeing and reviewing the conduct and regulatory compliance of Indian gaming operators; and
• Coordinating its regulatory responsibilities with tribal regulatory agencies.

Differences Between Commercial and Tribal Casinos

Payback percentages.

Generally speaking, a fundamental distinction between a commercial casino and a tribal gaming facility is that commercial casinos publicize their payback percentages, whereas tribal gaming facilities do not.

There are exceptions: Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are required by their compacts to reveal their payback information. Consequently, only Connecticut requires tribal gambling facilities to provide their overall payback information.

In contrast, the majority of commercial casinos must publish data. The manner in which this data is disclosed differs by jurisdiction. Nevada only reports data in clusters of casinos, protecting the direct payback information of an individual casino from being surfaced. In the vast majority of other markets, casino payouts are shared.

In many cases, it is published per denomination, but this is not always the case: in New Jersey, you only get a monthly overview of each casino (but an annual report breaks each casino down further by denomination). Similar to Massachusetts , monthly reporting in Massachusetts simply includes information regarding the total amount of paybacks.

Operation and Other Services

There are special standards to observe in commercial gambling markets. As part of the compacts, hours of operation and beverage serving rules must be obeyed, and some constraints will apply to the operation in general.

Most casinos are open 24 hours a day. But in unusual instances, such as the COVID-19 epidemic , some commercial casinos were required to follow municipal and state government rules regarding non-essential business shutdowns. However, tribal gaming facilities, being on sovereign land, were not shut down. That is not to say that tribal facilities did not follow the lead of state administrations, but they still had the flexibility to decide when to close/open and what limits to impose.

Type of Games Offered

Typically, a commercial casino is authorized to provide a range of games, including slot machines, video poker, and table games. These games belong to Class III or the Vegas variety. Most Hard Rock Casino locations are run by tribal operators like Mohegan Sun and the Seminoles.

A tribal gaming casino, on the other hand, is a casino established on sovereign land governed by a Native American tribe. Due to the fact that these casinos are located on sovereign property, the games they provide fall into two categories: Class II and Class III :

Class II Gaming: Class II gaming includes bingo and Bingo-related gadgets . In practice, many bingo machines resemble slot machines, but they feature a bingo card, and their profits and losses are still determined by Bingo.

If their state allows gaming for any reason, recognized tribes are generally able to organize Class II gaming on their grounds. If Bingo is given, additional side games like pull tabs can be provided on the same site. Non-banked card games, in which players compete against one another as opposed to the house or a player acting as the bank, may also be offered in Class II.

Class III Gaming: The same Las Vegas-style games permitted in commercial casinos are permitted at indigenous gaming establishments. However, there are conditions, such as the state permitting such activities and the tribe having an agreement with the state sanctioning such games on their land. This agreement must be sanctioned by the federal government.

Are 18-year-olds Allowed to Drink at Casinos that allow them in?

Casinos in the United States are not permitted to provide alcohol to minors. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act specifies that the legal age to purchase or consume alcohol in public in the United States is 21. This statute was enacted in 1984. All states are expected to comply with this law to qualify for certain forms of federal funding.

In addition, the majority of state-regulated casinos are licensed to provide alcoholic beverages to their customers. Therefore, allowing underage drinking on their premises would jeopardize their liquor licenses and expose them to criminal charges that might result in jail time.

State gaming statutes do not apply to tribal casinos. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act regulates and grants them sovereignty over tribal territories. Since federal law regulates tribal casinos, it would not make sense for them to go against federal regulations. Additionally, allowing underage drinking at their casinos would violate the provisions of their compacts with the states in which they are located.

There are few exceptions to the national drinking age, but they rarely apply to the casino environment. Here are some exceptions to the legal drinking age and other underage drinking regulations:

Educational purposes. In general, students in culinary school are required to consume tiny amounts of alcohol as part of their curriculum.

Religious services. Minors in the United States are permitted to consume alcohol as part of a religious service or celebration, such as drinking wine during a church service in 26 states.

Lawful employment. Minors who work in the restaurant or food and beverage business may be able to purchase alcohol for their jobs, but they are usually not permitted to consume it.

Parental, guardian, or spousal consent. In rare cases, minors may consume alcohol in the presence of a family member with parental consent.

Law enforcement purposes. This may allow a minor to consume alcohol to go undercover or engage in a sting operation.

Medical reasons. Alcohol may be found in small amounts in certain items and treatments.

Children traveling across a gaming floor to enter a non-gambling area, such as a restaurant or other children-friendly environment on the premises, are examples of scenarios that may apply to a casino. In some cases, minor workers are permitted to work on the casino floor. However, none of these instances should result in minors drinking alcohol on casino property!

Are Gambling Ages Different for Online casinos?

Yes. Online casino gambling ages will vary for a variety of reasons. The regulatory authorities determine the minimum age for online gambling, and casinos are required to monitor and enforce it. As may be expected, like all other laws, the gambling age varies from country to country. Consequently, significant casino operators and bookmakers with licenses allowing them to offer their services in different jurisdictions must modify their online venues to avoid violating the law.

Regardless of the minimum age given by an online casino, players are subject to the regulations of the nation in which they reside. This implies that if a casino permits players as young as 18, but your country's laws require you to be at least 21 to gamble online, your country's regulations take precedence, and a minimum age of 21 is necessary.

What happens if I’m an underage gambler?

The legal gambling age and the penalties for underage betting are determined at the state level.

If a minor is detected and convicted of underage gambling, they might face a fine of up to $1,000 and a license suspension of up to six months in most jurisdictions. The potential for jail time and a criminal record are additional risks. It is a misdemeanor to gamble as an underage person and a misdemeanor for a parent to provide a juvenile with access to gambling knowingly.

A licensed casino might face fines and even lose its gambling license if it is found to have knowingly permitted an underage customer to gamble there.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in Nevada?

Nevada has a legal gambling age of 21 years old. Regardless of whether you want to gamble at a land-based or online casino, you must be at least 21 years old to participate in gambling. You must be at least 21 years old to participate in any type of gambling in the state, including casino gambling, poker, horse racing betting, and bingo.

In addition, persons below 21 years are not permitted to enter casinos , even if they are accompanied by an adult. There is no variation in minimum age amongst Nevada municipalities. The plain truth is that if you want to gamble in Reno or Las Vegas , you need to be 21 years old.

In 2017, a measure proposing to decrease Nevada's legal gambling age to 18 years old was introduced, with its author arguing that if a person is old enough to serve in the military, they should also be old enough to bet in Las Vegas. It died in the same way as similar legislation had a decade before.

Who Regulates Nevada's Gambling Laws?

Nevada's gambling laws are enforced by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission . The three-person Board oversees the implementation of gaming rules and regulations and advises the Commission on licensing issues.

The Board is responsible for approving new requirements, investigating existing licensees, conducting background checks, and conducting audits of gaming establishments. The five part-time members of the commission have the final say on licensing decisions, rulemaking, and licensee punishments for infractions of the rules.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Nevada?

If you are under 21 and gamble at a Las Vegas casino, you are committing a crime and might lose more than a few chips if you are found guilty.

The legal gambling age in Nevada is 21 years old. Under NRS 463.350 , a person under the age of 21 shall not:

• Play, be permitted to play, place wagers at, or receive wins from any gambling game, slot machine, racing book, sports pool, or pari-mutuel operator, either personally or through an agent.
• Permit or encourage loitering in or about any place or property where licensed games, race books, sports pools, or pari-mutuel wagering are operated or conducted.
• Work as a casino employee outside of the counting room.

This means that loitering in a casino when underage is illegal. In addition, parents should be aware that the legislation penalizes anybody who "permits the violation of any of the terms of this section."

• A violation of NRS 463.350 is a Nevada misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in prison upon conviction.
• In addition to these penalties, you will be expelled from the casino immediately, and you will be prevented from keeping any major wins during your stay there.
• If you obtained a phony ID in order to gamble, drink alcohol, or purchase cigarettes in Las Vegas, you are guilty of a separate misdemeanor that carries up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in New Jersey?

In order to legally gamble in New Jersey, individuals must be at least 21 years old . This age restriction applies to both offline and internet gambling. In other words, you must be at least 21 years old to place wagers on slot machines, card games, sports betting, and video poker at land-based casinos or online casinos.

However, the minimum age for wagering on horse racing, bingo, keno , and the lottery is 18. Gambling for charity, entertainment games, and social gambling has no age restrictions.

The Casino Control Act of 1983 addressed the issue of gambling by minors in New Jersey. The House and Senate voted to amend the minimum gambling age in casinos to 21, the same as the legal gambling age in all U.S. states. The law prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from entering any casino or simulcasting facility in Atlantic City.

Who regulates New Jersey Gambling Laws?

The Casino Control Act is enforced by the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) , a law enforcement organization that also serves as the regulatory system's investigative branch for casinos.

Attorneys, investigators, and accountants make up the DGE staff, which is also assisted by Department of Criminal Justice (DCJ) prosecutors and New Jersey State Troopers . DGE reviews and audits casino-hotel operations; reviews and prosecutes all crimes related to casinos.

The Division also tests all casino slot machines, casino floor systems, and Internet gaming platform systems before use. It conducts investigations, produces reports, and, when necessary, challenges the qualifications of individual and corporate applicants for casinos and casino-related licenses.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in New Jersey?

If someone under the legal age to gamble in New Jersey does so anyway, they will be charged with a crime (which will stay on their record forever), fined between $500 and $1,000 , and have their license taken away for six months.

Teenagers who are 17 or younger and don't have a driver's license will get one six months after the date it was given out. Anyone over 21 who forces or convinces someone under 21 to gamble could be charged with being a disorderly person.

How old do you have to be to Gamble in Mississippi?

In Mississippi , the legal casino gambling age is 21 years old . The statewide gambling age is 18, but most casinos have alcohol licenses, making it reasonable for state judicial officials and casinos to require players to be at least 21.

The following are the minimum ages for various forms of gambling in Mississippi: For casinos, the minimum age is 21; for poker, it is 21; for bingo, it is 18. For horse racing, it is 21; and for the lottery, it is 18.

Since online casinos, online poker, and daily fantasy sports are banned in the state, an age restriction is unnecessary.

Gambling in Mississippi centers around riverboat casinos, commercial land-based casinos, and tribal land-based casinos. Although the legal age to gamble and enter a casino is 21, the Federal Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act exempts tribal casinos from state authority and allows them to decrease the minimum age to 18 .

If the tribal casino's gaming floor serves alcohol, the minimum gambling age is 21. If alcohol is not offered, the minimum age may be lowered to 18.

Who Regulates Gambling Laws in Mississippi?

The Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) is responsible for enforcing the state's Gaming Control Act and Charitable Gaming Laws . Working with the industry, the MGC creates and enforces regulations within the authority of these statutes in a manner that safeguards the state of Mississippi and maintains public confidence in both the charitable gaming and casino gaming businesses.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission has the jurisdiction to audit or review the books, assess the accounting processes and procedures, and monitor how licensees count and handle cash, tokens, negotiable instruments, and credit instruments. In addition, the Commission is obligated to inspect the books and records of any licensee when circumstances warrant it. The Mississippi Gaming Commission may also investigate the compliance of each licensee with the Gaming Control Act and other rules pertaining to internal controls and auditing procedures.

The Commission regulates and taxes gaming to generate income for state programs such as education, housing, transportation, and health care.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Mississippi?

Under Miss. Code Ann. 75-76-155 any player who plays or collects winnings, individually or through an agent, from any kind of gambling is subject to a maximum 6-month jail sentence and/or a $1,000 fine .

In addition, allowing a juvenile to gamble or granting unsupervised access to a gambling establishment is punishable by up to six months in prison and/or a $1,000 fine.

How old do you have to be to Gamble in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts General Laws (c.23N 13) prohibit casino game providers from accepting wagers from anyone under the age of 21. Similarly, those under the age of 21 are prohibited from entering poker rooms and sportsbooks in the state. If they are at least 18 years old, however, bettors may wager on dog and horse racing, bingo, and the lottery.

The Massachusetts tribal casinos operate under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and are therefore exempt from the Massachusetts Gaming Law's wagering age minimum of 21 years. However, the majority of these casinos raise their minimum age to 21 in order to offer alcohol on the gaming floor. Federal law says that individuals must be at least 21 years old in order to consume alcoholic beverages.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) regulates the state's gambling industry. It regulates all forms of gaming available inside the state's borders. The Commission is responsible for licensing casino operators to operate legally in Massachusetts, and licenses may be canceled for those that violate the laws.

The MGC establishes and maintains a mechanism that is equitable, transparent, and inclusive for implementing the expanded gaming law.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Massachusetts?

In accordance with MGL c.23, Section 43, the penalties for underage gambling are as follows:

• Any person under the age of 21 who places a wager or collects wins at a gaming facility is subject to a fine of up to $1,000.
• Any gaming facility operator who knowingly permits a person under the age of 21 to place bets or collect wins at a gaming facility will be sentenced to a minimum of one year in jail, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both.
• Whoever makes a wager on behalf of a minor is subject to imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to one thousand dollars, or both.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in California?

The minimum gambling age in California is 18 . However, in order to legally provide alcohol to all clients, most casinos do not accept customers under 21 . Californians can bet in tribal casinos regulated by the state or on international online gambling websites.

There are a few casinos throughout the state that welcome 18-year-old players, despite the fact that alcohol licenses and zoning are tightly restricted for anyone under 21. For instance, tribal casinos in California are able to establish their own age restrictions. However, these casinos frequently let children into non-gaming areas of their facilities.

As of January 2023, California casinos cannot offer sports betting. The California legislature has not yet succeeded in legalizing internet gambling by in-state operators.

As with casinos, poker rooms in California have the ability to impose their own age restrictions. Some demand that gamers be at least 21 years old, while others accept players as young as 18.

The minimum age for betting on horse races and the lottery is 18 in California. This means that punters who wish to place bets on horse races at any California racetrack, off-track betting facility, or online via advance deposit betting services must be at least 18 years old.

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) regulates all casino and cardroom activities in California. It is in charge of licensing card rooms and collaborating with tribes who operate casinos.

In California, the CGCC has authority over regulated non-tribal gambling enterprises (cardrooms).

To guarantee that tribal gaming in California is conducted fairly and honestly in line with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Bureau of Gambling Control (Bureau) , the California Gambling Control Commission (Commission), and the California Tribal Gaming Agencies (TGA) all work together.

Gaming resource suppliers, financial sources, management contractors, and key employees who are issued gaming licenses by the various TGAs in California are required to submit a finding of suitability application to the Bureau as part of the state certification process established by the Compacts between California Indian Tribes and the Governor of California .

To assess whether an applicant is appropriate for a license under the Gambling Control Act , the Bureau conducts a background investigation in accordance with Section 6.5.6 of the Compacts (Business and Professions Code section 19800 et seq.)

When the inquiry is done, the Bureau will recommend to the Commission whether or not the subject is suitable for employment. The Commission makes its suitability assessment based in large part on the Bureau's written recommendation, which takes into account a number of characteristics outlined in the Gambling Control Act, such as the applicant's honesty, general character, and financial and criminal history.

What's the Penalty for Underage Gambling in California?

According to Section 19941 of the California Business and Professions Code , anyone who allows a minor to enter a casino is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison. Alternatively, the offender may be fined $1,000 or incarcerated and fined.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in New York?

New York's legal gambling age requirement is 18. To be eligible to gamble at tribal and commercial casinos, you must be at least 21 years old. If you just wish to purchase lottery tickets or wager on horse races, you can do so if you are 18 or older. Online casinos are not licensed in the state. Thus, age restrictions do not apply to this kind of gambling.

All New Yorkers who are 18 years of age or older may participate in daily fantasy sports (DFS). With industry giant FanDuel's headquarters in New York City and significant professional sports franchises in all leagues, DFS is a very popular activity in the Big Apple.

Some approved overseas gambling websites accept all players over the age of 18 for those who do not wish to deal with complicated gaming statutes. However, the legal gambling age in New York varies significantly depending on the type of wager being placed.

Who regulates Gambling Laws in New York?

The New York State Gaming Commission supervises all facets of gambling in the state, including horse racing and pari-mutuel betting, Class III Indian Gaming, the state lottery (including video lottery terminals), retail gaming, and charitable gaming. The Commission was established by Chapter 60 of the 2012 Statutes . The statute consolidated the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and the New York State Division of Lottery into one state body.

The purpose of the New York State Gaming Commission is to ensure that all legal gaming and horse racing in the state is done with the utmost integrity, authenticity, and excellence. The Commission operates the New York Lottery in the most productive and transparent manner and protects the public interest by providing responsive and effective state gaming regulation. The Commission seeks to guarantee that all participants in the gaming and horse racing industries, including consumers who wager on Commission-regulated or -operated activities, are served fairly and responsibly. The Commission also promotes the health and safety of horses and all racing participants.

Indian Gaming: In 1988, Congress enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, allowing federally recognized Indian tribes to engage in gaming activities under specific conditions. This statute allows bingo, pull tabs, lotto, punch boards, tip jars, and certain card games to be held on tribal land. However, a Tribal-State compact is required for all other forms of gambling. Three tribes in the state of New York have legalized gaming:

• The Seneca Nation of Indians operates the Class III Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, the Class III Seneca Allegany Casino in Allegany, New York, and the Class III Seneca Buffalo Casino in Buffalo, New York, as well as Class II bingo on their Cattaraugus and Allegany Reservation sites.
• The St. Regis Mohawks manage the Class II Mohawk Bingo Palace and the Class III Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, which offers Class II poker games as well.
• The Oneida Indian Nation of New York operates the Turning Stone Casino, which features Class II bingo and poker as well as Class III gaming.

The Gaming Commission maintains a twenty-four-hour presence in the gaming facilities of the five Class III facilities in order to safeguard the integrity of all Class III gaming operations and to ensure the fair and honest running of such activities. In addition, the State conducts background checks on all casino workers and businesses that transact gaming-related business with the casino to determine their appropriateness.

In accordance with each Compact, the State jointly controls Class III gambling establishments with the appropriate Nation or Tribal Gaming Agency. Class II gaming operations, including bingo, pull tabs, lottery, punch boards, tip jars, and certain card games, are governed by the Tribe in partnership with the National Indian Gaming Commission; however, tribes may self-regulate these activities in specific circumstances.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in New York?

New York's racetracks and other gambling establishments were given stiffer fines in 2016 after the state's Gaming Commission passed a law making it illegal for anybody under the age of 18 to place bets at such establishments .

The new regulation implements a tiered system of fines on licensed track, VLT, and other gambling operators for allowing underage wagering:

The New York State Gaming Commission will take action against racetracks whose corporate owners' association allows underage gamblers onto their premises. For each subsequent infraction within a year of the initial one, the fine would increase by $5,000, up to $10,000 .

A $25,000 fine and "such action as the commission may deem appropriate," including suspension or revocation of any license or privilege to operate or manage a track in this state, are specified for a fourth offense within a year of a previous violation.

How Old do You have to be to Gamble in Texas?

There are no casinos in Texas that allow individuals under the age of 18 to wager. The legal age to gamble in Texas casinos is 21 years old. Keeping the casino age limit at 21 represents Texas' conservative principles and is consistent with the casino age limits of surrounding states.

The legal Texas gambling age for visiting casinos is likely set at 21 since this is the drinking age throughout the United States. As both casinos in Texas sell alcohol to patrons, casino operators can reduce the likelihood of being penalized for serving alcohol to minors by aligning the casino entry age with the legal drinking age.

As of January 2023, there are just two tribal casinos operating in Texas, and both are restricted by their compacts to provide only Class II gaming on-site. Class II gaming restricts casinos' gambling options to electronic devices. This implies that neither casino offers the most popular traditional casino table games.

In Texas, the minimum legal age to purchase lottery tickets is 18.

Outside of Indian reservations, casino-style gambling is wholly outlawed in Texas, and the current political climate makes it impossible for Texas to allow internet gambling in the near future. Those above the age of 21 with a passion for casino games are limited to the possibilities listed above.

The Texas Racing Commission oversees and regulates pari-mutuel racing in accordance with the Texas Racing Act . This means the Commission is charged with the issuance of permits for horse and dog racing. The board of directors consists of nine people. Seven members are selected by the Governor with the advice and permission of the Senate to serve six-year terms, while the Commissioner of Agriculture and the Chairman of the Public Safety Commission serve as ex officio members.

The Texas Lottery Commission was established by statute in 1993 to assume control of the Texas Lottery from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts ; the statute also grants the Commission authority over charitable bingo games (moving that duty from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission ).

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Texas?

There are no legalized casinos in Texas, with the exception of those located on tribal territories. Since Indian casinos are not subject to state law, penalties for gambling by minors are irrelevant.

How Old do You have to be to Gamble in Florida?

The minimum age for land-based casino games is 21, whereas the minimum age for lottery games, horse racing, dog racing, bingo, jai alai, and poker is 18. This age limit can be found in Florida Statutes 849.01 et seq . and 550.001 et seq ., which regulate gambling inside the Sunshine State.

18-year-olds in Florida are now permitted to gamble in person at cardrooms (poker) and horse racing tracks. They can also play the lottery and charitable bingo games. And while casino gambling in Florida is prohibited for those under the age of 21, there are multiple online casino sites that welcome players aged 18, 19, and 20.

The Florida Gaming Control Commission , a five-member regulatory body, is in charge of carrying out all of the state's regulatory and executive functions relating to gambling, including the regulation of pari-mutuel wagering, cardrooms, slot machine facilities, gaming compact oversight, and other types of gambling permitted by state legislation or the constitution, with the exception of the state lottery.

In Florida , the state government operates the lottery, which includes games such as Powerball, Mega Money, Lucky Lines, and Mega Millions. Lottery winnings are earmarked for the development of new schools and educational facilities to boost public education.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Florida?

Slot machine operators who willfully violate underage gambling laws may have their licenses revoked or suspended. They can also face civil penalties, such as a maximum fine of $100,000 .

How old do you have to be to Gamble in Colorado?

In Colorado , the minimum gambling age for casino games is 21 . Even though the majority of age-related privileges in the state begin at 18, you must be at least 21 to visit a casino and play casino games such as poker . However, at the age of 18, you can purchase lottery tickets and wager on horse races .

You must be at least 21 years old to participate in lawful low-stakes gambling in some smaller, historically significant communities or to gamble at one of the state's two tribal casinos.

Under 24-35-214 of the Colorado Revised Statutes , it is prohibited to sell lottery tickets to anybody under the age of 18. Similarly, an individual under 18 years cannot buy a lottery ticket. The law, however, authorizes a person under 18 to receive a lottery ticket as a gift.

According to Colorado Revised Statutes 12-60-601, it is against the law for anyone under the age of 18 to buy or sell a pari-mutuel ticket. In a similar way, Colorado Revised Statutes 12-9-107 says that anyone under the age of 18 can't buy pull-tabs or play bingo.

The responsibility of regulating Colorado's gambling laws falls on The Division of Gaming within the Department of Revenue and the Limited Gaming Control Commission . These agencies are entrusted with administering the local regulatory framework and monitoring compliance with state gaming legislation.

The Colorado Department of Revenue's Division of Gambling is responsible for regulating and enforcing limited gaming in Colorado. With offices in Golden, Central City /Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek , the Division employs over 90 people, including investigators, auditors, accountants, administrators, and support staff.

The Division of Gaming is responsible for investigating gaming license applicants, who must submit to a comprehensive background check. Investigators of the division examine the personal and financial histories of applicants, including the origins of the funds they want to invest in a prospective business.

The governor appoints five members of the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission. According to the law, the Commission is in charge of establishing the gaming tax rate as well as all other rules and regulations pertaining to limited gaming in Colorado. The Commission has ultimate jurisdiction over all state-issued gambling licenses.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Colorado?

According to Colorado Revised Statute 12-47.1 - 809, it is a Class 2 misdemeanor to permit a minor to wander around the gaming area of a casino, sit in a chair/be present, participate, play, be allowed to play, or place bets.

This is punishable by 3-12 months in jail and/or a fine of $250-$1,000 . If the minor is under 18, then it becomes a Class 4 felony , punishable with 2-6 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $2,000 .

How old do you have to be to Gamble in North Dakota?

North Dakota has a general ban on gambling, although there are exceptions to this rule. These exclusions include charitable gambling with a minimum age of 18 , pari-mutuel betting ( with an age limit of 18 ), and tribal casino gambling with an age requirement of 21 .

Even though tribal casinos are not governed by the state, which mandates a minimum age of 21, they comply with the criteria in order to offer alcoholic beverages on the gaming floor. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) regulates tribal casinos, and federal law sets the drinking age at 21.

The North Dakota Century Code sections 12.1-28-01 et seq . and 53.06.1-01 et seq. detail the gambling age limits for various forms of gaming in North Dakota.

The North Dakota Gaming Division oversees and enforces laws pertaining to gambling conducted for charitable purposes. It investigates and conducts audits of nonprofit gaming organizations and keeps tabs on casinos shared between tribes and states.

The Gaming Division monitors the fairness and legality of all games played at casinos owned and operated on North Dakota's tribal lands. The regulatory body verifies the correctness of the prize distribution ratios and the observance of betting limits.

The North Dakota Racing Commission is a separate agency responsible for overseeing horse racing in the state. The Racing Commission's duty is to oversee and audit the production of pari-mutuel pools and gaming terminals. The North Dakota Racing Commission is also responsible for establishing the racing schedule and enacting regulations to ban the use of any substances or techniques that might affect the results of the races.

Lastly, the North Dakota Lottery Advisory Commission is responsible for the state's lottery operation, promotion, regulation, and enforcement. The group also helps retailers by issuing licenses and providing assistance with staff education.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in North Dakota?

The state of North Dakota is gambling-friendly, and residents are free to gamble as they see fit. There is, however, one significant exception: individuals who attempt to gamble while under the legal age of 21 in North Dakota.

Individuals who attempt to gamble while under the legal age of 21 will face severe consequences from the authorities. These may include fines or even jail time. Also, their cash may be confiscated by the venue through which they gambled illegally. There are things in life worth waiting for, and legal gambling is one of them. The best advice for gamblers under the age of 21 is to wait until the time is right.

How old do you have to be to Gamble in South Dakota?

What's the legal age requirement.

To gamble in South Dakota's Indian casinos and Deadwood casinos, you must be at least 21 years old. You must be 21 years old because some of these establishments provide alcohol, which they are not permitted to serve under the legal age restriction. However, you only have to be 18 years of age for simulcast and live horse race betting.

To wager on sports in South Dakota , you must meet the age restriction of 21 years old. However, South Dakota has yet to regulate sports betting. There are several offshore online sportsbooks from which to choose if you like to wager on sports.

Live horse racing and simulcasting in South Dakota are governed by the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, as is limited wagering in the City of Deadwood. The governor appoints five people to the board, and the state senate must approve those people. The Enforcement Division and the Operations Division comprise the SD Commission on Gaming .

The Enforcement Division is responsible for performing background and criminal record checks related to restricted gambling. Additionally, it monitors all casino-related activities. In addition to monitoring compliance and revenue, the Operations Division conducts casino audits in Deadwood. It inspects slot machines around the state and maintains gambling and horse racing information.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in South Dakota?

According to South Dakota Law SDCL 42-7B-35 , anyone who gambles while under the age of 21 is deemed to have committed a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by more than 30 days in prison.

Also, anyone who allows a minor to gamble would be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor for violating state gaming legislation. This violation carries a potential sentence of exceeding 30 days in jail. Additionally, the operator risks losing their retail license.

How old do you have to be to Gamble in West Virginia?

The following are the minimum ages for the various forms of legal gambling in West Virginia: 21 years old for casinos, 21 years old for poker, 21 years old for sports betting, 18 years old for bingo, 18 years old for sports betting without an alcohol license, 18 years old for horse racing, and 18 years old for the lottery.

The West Virginia Lottery Commission is responsible for overseeing all activities involving gambling. Here are some of its primary responsibilities:

• The Commission is the authorized distributor of over forty quick games.
• Tickets for the Multi-State Lottery Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lotto America are distributed.
• Also available for purchase are Keno Go, Daily 3, Daily 4, and Cash 25 lottery tickets.
• Regulates both retail and online sports wagering.
• Monitors Internet-based gambling, video lottery, and table games.
• Additionally, the West Virginia Lottery Commission is in charge of all land-based casinos.

In addition, the West Virginia Lottery Commission is responsible for legalizing all land-based casinos and retail sportsbooks. In order to open a casino on the territory of the Mountain State, you must obtain permission from the seven-member Commission.

The Governor selects a lawyer, a public accountant, a marketing expert, a computer specialist, and a law enforcement agent to monitor the operators around the state. Additionally, there are two public representatives inside the Lottery Commission.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in West Virginia?

Under West Virginia Code section 29-25-25 , letting a minor on the premises is a misdemeanor punishable by a possible 6-month prison sentence and/or a maximum $1,000 fine for an individual. If the offender is a corporation, the penalty is $25,000.

It is unlawful to sell lottery tickets to minors, although adults can buy and give them to anyone under 18 years old. If a juvenile wins $5,000 or more, they must have a parent, relative, or legal guardian collect the reward on their behalf.

How old do you have to be to Gamble in Illinois?

In Illinois , the minimum age to gamble legally depends on the type of gambling you wish to engage in. For instance, you must be 18 or older to participate in bingo and the lottery. Likewise, Illinois gamers must be at least 21 years old to enter casinos. Additionally, you must be at least 21 years old to participate in popular sports betting activities in the state, such as horse racing.

Although it is against the law to sell a ticket to a minor ( Chapter 20, Sections 1605/15 and 1605/18 of the Illinois Revised Statutes ), adults may still purchase tickets for minors as gifts. If the individual entitled to a prize or any winning ticket is a youngster (defined as anybody younger than 18), and the value of the prize is less than $2500, the Director may arrange for the reward to be paid to an adult relative or legal guardian of the minor.

The Illinois Gaming Board is the primary agency responsible for handling all gambling activities inside the state. The board is also responsible for granting licenses and strictly enforcing gaming regulations.

The Illinois Gaming Board regulates all forms of gambling in the state, including casino gaming, video gambling, sports betting, bingo, and lotteries. The Sports Wagering Act (230 ILCS 45) is the primary piece of law that assists the board in controlling sports betting in the state. The Illinois Gambling Act (230 ILCS 10) is the primary state statute that regulates casino gaming in Illinois.

What's the penalty for underage gambling in Illinois?

Under 230 Ill. Comp. Stat. 10/11, winnings by an underaged gambler (under 21 years) are to be treated as winnings for privilege tax purposes. They are to be confiscated, forfeited to the State, and deposited into the Education Assistance Fund.

230 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 10/18 stipulates that a Class B misdemeanor will be charged to any casino operator who allows a youngster aboard a gaming riverboat. This violation carries a potential penalty of six months in prison and/or a maximum fine of $1,500.

A former photographer, Jonathan has written extensively about the gambling industry over the last few years. Though perfectly happy chatting at a gaming trade show or lounging in the casino, his favorite place is on a motorcycle with his trusty hound, Yol...

• Riverboat Gambling: A Taste of the Past /

Riverboat Gambling: A Taste of the Past

• September 24, 2020 04:34PM
• September 24, 2020

Introduction: Riverboat Gambling

Have you ever been riverboat gambling? We’ve all seen the old photos of these majestic looking paddle steamers making their way up the Mississippi River. In fact, it’s probably considered an image that pretty much sums up the golden age of the Wild West, once it was tamed. But things have moved on a bit since those days of gun-toting cowboys and Stetsons. Though gambling may have advanced in some areas, like the internet, it doesn’t necessarily follow that this holds true of every state in the US. For example, did you know that some states still require that all gambling takes place on a riverboat? Sounds crazy…so let’s have a look.

The Wild Midwest

The origins of riverboat gambling are pretty straightforwards. As the West was expanding, many merchants had to travel considerable distances in order to both maintain and find new business. Back in the 1800s, they made use of the extensive waterways that zigzagged across the eastern seaboard to the mid-west. so traveling by boat was the norm. Unfortunately, this form of travel is also exceedingly time-consuming.

Essentially we had a bunch of rich folks, with lots of time on their hands, and all stuck on a boat. So it’s no surprise that riverboat gambling quickly became the best method to pass the time. And of course, the smell of easy money brought professional gamblers to the party. Soon any number of shady characters could be found gambling on these boats. But laws were changing, and many states were actively outlawing all forms of gambling. At the same time, there were a great many people complaining about the card sharps. Soon lynch mobs sprung up to dish out “justice” to card cheats. It was all getting out of hand.

Riverboat Gambling: Caught In The Middle

So, with the police on one shore and the lynch mob on the other, it’s no surprise that riverboat gambling felt a lot safer whilst remaining on the waterways. These boats gave an opportunity to the very best card sharps to practice their trade with impunity. But times were a-changing, and it was only a matter of time for things to change thanks to the introduction of the railroads. Overnight, the riverboats became redundant for traveling purposes. But the story doesn’t end here.

States are always on the lookout for means of raising their own taxes. And all states were looking westwards and seeing the sheer amounts of cash pouring into the coffers of the State of Nevada, thanks to it’s relaxing of gambling laws allowing all types of jackpot games . And so, it only natural that they too, wanted some of that action. So states that were on the Mississippi River began to think again about utilizing those paddle steamers as floating gambling casinos. This would create an important source of additional state revenues. So, with the stroke of a pan, laws were changed and those boats were recommissioned. Well not quite.

Modern Riverboat Gambling Casinos

The thing is that though they might be called riverboat gambling casinos, the “boat” bit can be a bit misleading. Often they really have nothing in common with a real boat. Most of them are just floating structures, which happen to be parked on the waterway. They do appear to be floating, but we wouldn’t be surprised if they were not built up from the river bed itself. When these new riverboats first appeared, it was when the idea of gambling once again was starting to take it’s first baby steps. As a result, gambling laws were extremely restrictive. Most boats had a $5 betting limit and there were rules as to how much a guest was allowed to lose on a single trip.

But the 1990s saw a major change in gambling laws. Things became more relaxed and as a result, revenues increased for casinos, which in turn led to states gaining more as well. As of today, riverboat gambling casinos to win the jackpot operate in 6 states, Louisiana, Mississippi, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois. But that doesn’t mean that they all follow the same laws. For example, in Louisiana, all casinos must actually look like the old river paddleboat steamers and have their own engines. Then again, not all river states have even joined the gambling party. So Kentucky, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Minnesota have no river casinos at all. It’s really strange that voters wouldn’t want the extra income that gambling brings.

Riverboat Gambling: Boosting Local Economies and State Budgets

It goes without saying that riverboat gambling had has a positive impact on both local level and state budgets. For example, in Indiana, all casinos have to pay a 20% state tax. Of this, 15% goes to the state and the other 5% remains in the local community. Just so there’s no doubting the numbers involved, this translates to a staggering $400 million to the state and $80 million locally. In fact, more tax money flows into the state from riverboat gambling, than from any other source. And it, not only tax money that’s important. These huge floating monstrosities need workers. They need to hire dealers, waitresses, accountants and security, and more.

And the vast majority of these workers are going to be people who live locally. As a direct result, this increases the amounts of money going into local communities, as workers are spending salaries in shops and stores where they live.

King Billy Casino Welcome Bonus

151% match bonus up to €500 + 51 bonus spins, when winstar came to thackerville.

A great example of this effect would be what happened in Thackerville. This was a quiet backwater of a town with few inhabitants and just the river flowing slowly by. it’s the type of young that young people look forwards to escaping from as soon as high school is over. But then WinStar World Casino decided to plonk a massive riverboat gambling casino there. Before you could say “bingo”, Thackerville was suddenly on the map. The casino started to instantly pull thousands of tourists in from all over the adjoining states. Not only that, but it created literally thousands of jobs. The town had gone from being a sleepy village into a bustling town in less time than to spin a roulette wheel.

Our Favorite Riverboat Casinos

Sam’s town – shreveport, la.

This casino is familiar to all gamblers who go to Las Vegas. In fact, it’s been a gambling institution for many years now. It’s situated on the shores of the muddy Mississippi River. It has all the luxuries you’d expect from a historic casino in Vegas. There’s a spa for relaxing in after a hard day at the slots. These, by the way, are all joined together to create a local progressive jackpot of around $80,000.

Casino Queen Marquette – Marquette, IA

If you’re not a high roller, but want the high roller experience, then look no further than the Casino Queen. This is a relatively small casino floating on the Mississippi. There are just 8 gaming tables, which is tiny when you think of even the smallest venue in Las Vegas. But what they lack in table games, they certainly make up for with jackpot slots machines. There are a staggering 1,100 machines to choose from. But the main feature that makes the Casino Queen so outstanding, is the staff. You’ll be hard pushed to find a more courteous and helpful staff as they have there. The level of service is second to none.

The Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin, IL

Just a short 40-mile drive going west out of Chicago, and there you’ll find the Grand Victoria Casino Elgin. A medium-sized venture, it has 36 games tables. And a whopping 1,000 slot machines to help increase your jackpot winning chances . But the casino isn’t just famous as a riverboat gambling venue. The owners place great emphasis on giving back to the community via various outreach programs. In fact, this being the highest-grossing casino in the state, it still manages to give away a huge part of it’s profits to the surrounding communities. So, if you happen to be playing there, be happy in the knowledge that part of your losses is going to good causes.

Conclusion: Riverboat Gambling

By their very nature, riverboat casinos can’t compete when it comes to the level of luxury found in land-based casinos. But what they don’t have in glitz, they certainly make up for with charm. And that’s a timeless old-world charm that’s hard to duplicate. Though these river paddle boats don’t actually move (thought here are some that do), there’s still a decidedly old fashioned feeling from gambling on the river. We suggest that they’re great to visit and play in, if nothing but for the change and the experience from your regular land-based casinos. You’ll be glad that you did.

Click here to visit King Billy Casino for fun-filled games!

About the Author

// More From jonathan

How To Find Gambling Success With Development Philosophies

The Top Most Exciting Horse Racing-Themed Slot Games

A Complete Guide To The Tour De France

Can Adult-Centred Las Vegas Ever Be Family Friendly?

Japan’s First Casino Get The Go Ahead In Osaka

A Complete Guide To Winning The Lottery Online

// Recommended by Experts

1xBET Sportsbook

King Billy Casino

20Bet Sportsbook

Tsars Casino

Bet365 Casino

// latest promotions.

Weekly Twister Races at Betsafe Casino: Win Up to €12,500 Prize Pool

Aztec Gems Powernudge at Omni Slots Casino: Win up to 50 FS!

Poker Episodes 2024 at Betsson: Win Up to €1,500,000

Jack of All Trades at Betsson: Win More Than €100,000

22BET Casino Crash Lottery Offer: Play the Games and Win Big

A Guide To The Most Iconic Riverboat Casinos In The US 

• MEET THE TEAM
• PRIVACY POLICY
• TERMS OF USE

Talk about casino destinations and you’ll most likely think of Las Vegas, Atlantic City or, if you are travelling outside the US, maybe Monaco or Macau.

Yet what are called “land based” or “bricks and mortar” casinos to differentiate them from the online versions are not necessarily on land or made of bricks and mortar.

We refer, of course, to riverboat casinos, a little slice of Americana that’s as American as Super Bowl Sunday or Thanksgiving turkey. Riverboat casinos conjure up images of the Mississippi and Mark Twain complete with white suit, top hat and cigar. There are more than 60 riverboat casinos operating in the USA and every single one of them has a story to tell. Here, we highlight a handful of the very best.

The Grand Victoria, Elgin

Our first stop is not on the Mississippi at all, but on the Fox River in Elgin, 50 miles north west of Chicago . Owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, the Grand Victoria really is a slice of Las Vegas on the Illinois waterfront.  With more than 1,000 slots and video poker terminals and 36 tables, there’s a great choice of games.

If all that gambling whets your appetite, there are four dining options on board, including the highly rated Buckingham’s Steakhouse and Lounge.

Casino Queen, Marquette  

The Casino Queen would look like a lifeboat if it was moored alongside the Grand Victoria, but that is all part of its charm. It offers a more intimate and personalized experience, and although there are only eight tables, they host an intriguing variety of games that are not commonly found in land (or water) based casinos. If you know how to gamble online in the US , you’ve probably seen fusion blackjack and 21+3 at US online casinos. The Casino Queen gives you an opportunity to play them in real casino surroundings.

When you step ashore, there is an adjacent 31-acre entertainment complex with a variety of attractions and a huge choice of dining options.

The Amelia Belle, Amelia  

At last, we arrive in Louisiana, where the Amelia Belle lies nestled in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway. This classic four-story riverboat looks like it has stepped straight out of a photograph from the turn of the 20 th century. When it is lit up at night, it takes your breath away.

At the tables, poker is the order of the day. The casino offers Mississippi stud, 3-card poker and Texas Holdem. There are also 800 slot games, while the Fanduel sportsbook has self-service betting kiosks, a wall full of television screens, and a huge video wall to show the biggest events.

Sam’s Town, Shreveport

On the opposite side of Louisiana, Sam’s Town could not be more different to the Amelia Belle. This floating leisure complex houses a hotel, health spa, sauna and live entertainment venue.

The casino offers more than 1,000 slots and 30 table games that include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Let it Ride and Craps No More.

Team JST work with our sponsors, shop vendors, and many more to create informative and engaging content.

Jetset Times in your inbox

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy.

Is Aria The Best Choice For A Gimmick-Free Las Vegas Stay?

Top 10 Destinations Must Visit In New Zealand

What To Consider When Choosing A Hotel In Las Vegas

Great Ways To Make Money Online In 2024

The Best Games To Play On Your Halloween-Themed Vacation

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it's official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings
• Browse Titles

NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

National Research Council (US) Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of Pathological Gambling. Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1999.

Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review.

• Hardcopy Version at National Academies Press

C Legal-Age Gambling Opportunities and Restrictions

I. Nelson Rose

By I. Nelson Rose, J.D. Harvard 1979, Professor of Law at Whittier Law School. The author would like to thank his research assistants, Ranjit Indran, James B. Lewis, Kimberly Phillips, and Michael Shelton-Frates for their help with this project.

View in own window

NOTE: A question mark without a number means that form of gambling is legal in that state, but the minimum age requirements, if any, are not known. A number with a question mark means there is a state limit, but it is unclear whether it applies. This is usually the case with Indian gaming, for which tribes are often free to set their own limits.

Four of 15 tribes have not yet agreed to raise the minimum age to 21.

State by State Analysis

ALABAMA —Alabama Code §15-8-150 makes it a crime to bet with a minor.

Pari-mutuel betting : The minimum age for betting horse and greyhound racetracks is 18 in some counties, 19 in others: Birmingham and Macon—19, Greene and Mobile—18. Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc., Pari-Mutuel Racing: 1996 at 59; Alabama Code §11-65-44.

Bingo : Non-profit organizations can run bingo games for charitable or educational purposes. The state has separate statutes for various counties and at least one city—all set the minimum playing age as well as the minimum age for conducting or assisting bingo at 19.

ALASKA —Alaska has been considering allowing casino gambling on cruise ships between ports in the state, during the course of an international voyage.

Slot machines : Alaska Statutes §43.35.040 sets the minimum age at 18 and forbids the location of coin-operated amusement and gaming devices within a radius of 100 yards of a school building.

Bingo and pull-tabs : State statutes set the minimum age for bingo at 19, but the age for pull-tabs was raised from 19 to 21 on June 26, 1993. Alaska Statutes §§05.15.180 and 05.15.187.

Lottery : It is a misdemeanor to sell a lottery ticket to anyone under 18, but it is not unlawful to give the minor a lottery ticket as a gift. Arizona Revised Statutes §5-515.

Pari-mutuel betting : Arizona puts the legal wagering age at 18, according to the Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc.'s Pari-mutuel Racing: 1996 at 59. The state's statutes set the minimum age at the age of majority: Arizona Revised Statutes §5-112 states, "A permittee shall not knowingly permit a minor to be a patron of the pari-mutuel system of wagering." This also would allow an operator to raise the defense that it did not know a child was underage.

Casinos : Charities can operate casino nights. The state has entered into compacts with many tribes, authorizing the operation of slot machines and non-banked (revolving deal) card games. The minimum ages for Indian casinos in Arizona is 18.

Pari-mutuel betting : Arkansas's horse racing statute expressly prohibits "any person under eighteen (18) years of age to be a patron of the pari-mutuel or certificate system of wagering conducted or supervised by it." But it is unclear if such persons are prohibited from attending horse races. The dog racing counterpart, prohibits employing a minor or allowing "any minor to be a patron at the racetrack." This language seems closer to prohibiting the presence of children. Arkansas Statutes §§23-110-405 and 23-111-308.

Lottery : California has a complete set of restrictions, typical of the state lotteries that have addressed youth gambling:

No tickets or shares in Lottery Games shall be sold to persons under the age of 18 years. Any person who knowingly sells a ticket or share in a Lottery Game to a person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person under the age of 18 years who buys a ticket or share in a Lottery is guilty of a misdemeanor. In the case of Lottery tickets or shares sold by Lottery Game Retailers or their employees, these persons shall establish safeguards to assure that the sales are not made to persons under the age of 18 years. In the case of the dispensing of tickets or shares by vending machines or other devices, the Commission shall establish safeguards to help assure that the vending machines or devices are not operated by persons under the age of 18 years.

All tickets or shares in Lottery Games shall include, and any devices which dispense tickets or shares in Lottery Games shall have posted in a conspicuous place thereupon, a notice which declares that state law prohibits the selling of a Lottery ticket or share to, and the payment of any prize to, a person under the age of 18 years.

California Government Code §8880.52.

"No prize shall be paid to any person under the age of 18 years." Id. §8880.32.

Pari-mutuel betting : The age limit of 18 for horse races was established by regulations of the Racing Control Board, not by the legislature in a statute.

Casinos : California law allows cities and counties the local option of licensing gaming clubs, limited to non-banked table games. There are more than 300 gaming clubs operating throughout the state—age limits appear to be usually 21. The only state limit is a restriction limiting operators and owners to be at least 18. California Business & Professions Code §19809. Indian tribes are operating slot machines without compacts, in technical violation of the controlling federal law, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. All non-compacted Indian gaming, even when legal, is regulated by the tribe, which can change the age limits whenever it wishes. The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, for example, announced in September, 1995 that it was raising the minimum age from 18 to 21 for its casino near Palm Springs and that it was firing all casino workers under 21.

Bingo : Minors (currently age 18) are not allowed to participate in bingo games. California Penal Code §326.5.

Lottery : Colorado Revised Statutes §24-35-214 makes it illegal to sell a lottery ticket to anyone under 18 or for any person under 18 to purchase a ticket. However it permits the receipt of a lottery ticket given as a gift to a person under 18. The difference can be significant: "Any prize won by a person under 18 years of age who purchased a winning ticket in violation of section 24-35-214(1)(c) shall be forfeited. If a person otherwise entitled to a prize or a winning ticket is under 18 years of age, the director may direct payment of the prize by delivery to an adult member of the minor's family or a guardian of the minor of a check or draft payable to the order of such minor.''

Pari-mutuel betting : It is illegal to purchase or to sell a pari-mutuel ticket to any person under the age of 18. Colorado Revised Statutes §12-60-601.

Casinos : Privately owned casinos are limited to three little mountain towns, with $5 maximum bets. Colorado also has signed compacts with two Indian tribes; age limits are 21.

Bingo and pull-tabs : State law prohibits anyone under 18 from playing bingo or buying pull-tabs. However, it also allows anyone 14 or older to "assist in the conduct of bingo or pull-tabs." Colorado Revised Statutes §12-9-107.

CONNECTICUT —Connecticut's off-track betting operation, owned and operated by a private company, Autotote, is taking telephone wagers from around the nation.

Lottery : Games limited to players over 18.

Pari-mutuel betting : Connecticut allows betting on jai-alai, as well as on racing. Connecticut not only bars anyone under 18 from betting, but General Statutes §12-576 prohibits "the presence of any minor under the age of 18 being present in any room, office, building or establishment when off-track betting takes place."

Casinos : Charity "Las Vegas Nights" are limited to those over 18. Connecticut General Statutes §186a. The state prohibits anyone under 16 from even being present in a room where gambling is taking place. Connecticut has signed compacts with two Indian tribes. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe apparently felt that 18 was too young, and put its age limit at 21. The tribe's casino, Foxwoods, may be the most profitable casino in the world, with blackjack, craps, etc. and 4,000 slot machines.

Bingo and pull-tabs : In its "Sealed tickets" statute Connecticut prohibits the sale to any person less than 18 years of age. Connecticut General Statutes §7-169h.

Lottery : Delaware has the strongest restriction of any state lottery, having locked its 18-year-old age limit into the state constitution. Delaware Constitution Article 2, §17. However state statutes, while prohibiting the sale of lottery tickets to persons under 18, expressly allow the purchase of a ticket for the purpose of making a gift by a person 18 years of age or older to a person less than that age. Delaware Code Title 29, §4810.

Pari-mutuel betting and slot machines : While racetracks appear to put the limit at age 18, the state recently amended its laws to allow video lottery machines in racetracks, with an age limit of 21. Delaware Code Title 29, §4810.

Bingo : A person has to be 18 or over to participate in any charitable gambling, the prize for which is money; yet, anyone over 16 may participate in Bingo and other charitable games. This must limit 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds to games where prizes are merchandise. Delaware Code Title 28, §1139.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Lottery : Limited to players over 18.

Casinos and Bingo : Charities in the District of Columbia can run "Monte Carlo Night Parties" as well as bingo. The minimum age to participate as well to be present is 18, but minors under 18 may to be present if accompanied by an adult. D.C. Code §2-2534.

Pari-mutuel betting : Florida has not only dog and horse tracks, but also jai-alai. State statutes prohibit wagering by a person under the age of 18 but permit admittance if the minor is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Florida Statutes §550.0425.

Bingo : State law prevents anyone under 18 from being allowed to play any bingo game or be involved in the conduct of a bingo game in any way. Florida Statutes §849.0931.

GEORGIA —The state legislature has enacted a unique law creating civil liability along with the more common criminal punishments. "A parent shall have a right of action against any person who shall play and bet at any game of chance with his minor child for money or any other thing of value without the parent's permission." Georgia Code §51-1-18.

Lottery : State statutes not only prohibit anyone under 18 from buying lottery tickets but also requires conspicuous labels, prohibiting minors from using any electronic or mechanical devices related to the lottery. Georgia Code §50-27-10.

Bingo : State law allows a person under 18 to play Bingo if accompanied by an adult. Georgia Code §16-12-58.

HAWAII —Hawaii, Utah and Tennessee are the only states with no commercial gambling. Hawaii, like many other states, does allow "social gambling"—minimum age is 18. Hawaii Revised Statutes §712-1231.

IDAHO —The Coeur d'Alene tribe has set up a telephone and Internet lottery, the "US Lottery."

Lottery : Idaho Code §67-7413 prohibits the knowing sale of tickets to anyone under 18.

Pari-mutuel betting : Minors are prohibited from using the pari-mutuel system. Idaho Code §54-2512.

Bingo : A person under 18 may not play bingo for a cash prize or in games where the prize exceeds $25.00 worth of merchandise. Idaho Code §67-7703. Therefore, children under 18 may play bingo for money for smaller prizes.

ILLINOIS —Illinois is unique in defining a minor (at least under the horse racing statutes) as "any individual under the age of 17 years." Illinois Revised Statutes chapter 230, §5/3.08. The state also makes a distinction between casino gambling run by charities—age 18—and casino gambling run for profit on riverboats—age 21.

Lottery : It is unlawful to sell a ticket to anyone under the age of 18, but adults may buy tickets as gifts to minors. "If the person entitled to a prize or any winning ticket is under the age of 18 years, and such prize is less than $2500, the Director may direct payment of the prize by delivery to an adult member of the minor's family or a guardian of the minor of a check or draft payable to the order of such minor. If the person entitled to a prize or any winning ticket is under the age of 18 years, and such prize is $2500 or more, the Director may direct payment to the guardian of such minor. . . ." Illinois Revised Statutes chapter 20, §§1605/15 and 1605/18.

Pari-mutuel betting : Minors (defined as age 17) are forbidden from being admitted as a patron during a racing program unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Exceptions are made for employees, licensees, owners, trainers, jockeys, or drivers. Illinois Revised Statutes chapter 230, §5/26.

Casinos : The state has both riverboat and charity casinos. The state riverboat statute prohibits any person under 21 betting or even being permitted on an area of a riverboat where gambling is being conducted. An exception is made for employees, but workers must be at least 21 to perform any function involved in gambling. Illinois Revised Statutes chapter 230, §10/11.

Illinois charitable casinos do a multi-million dollar business. The "Charitable Games Act" allows the following games: roulette, blackjack, poker, pull-tabs, craps, bang, beat the dealer, big six, gin rummy, five card stud poker, chuck-a-luck, keno, holdem poker and merchandise wheel with a $10.00 maximum bet. Unlike for-profit riverboat casinos, charity casinos are open to anyone over 18. Illinois Revised Statutes chapter 230, § 30/8.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Minimum age for bingo and pull-tabs is 18. Illinois Revised Statutes chapter 230, §§20/4 and 25/2. In fact, persons under 18 may not be in the area where bingo is being played, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Lottery : Minimum age 18, but prizes may not be paid to anyone under 18, unless the ticket was received as a gift. Indiana Code §§4-30-9-3, 4-30-11-3, 4-30-12-1, 4-30-13-1.

Pari-mutuel betting : Minimum age to work at a racetrack is 16, but the racing commission can license children even younger, who are working for their parent or legal guardian. Indiana Code §4-31-6-5.

Casinos : Indiana has riverboat gambling, even though, at this writing, none of the casinos are in operation. The minimum age for an occupational license is 18; however, anyone under 21 is prohibited from being in the area of a riverboat where gambling is being conducted. Indiana Code §§4-33-8-3, 4-33-9-12.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Players must be over 18. Indiana Code §4-32-9-34; Indiana Administrative Code title 45, regulation 18-3-2 (Department of State Revenue).

Lottery : Iowa law prohibits the sale of a lottery ticket to a person under the age of 18, but allows adult to buy tickets for them as gifts. Iowa Code §§99E.16.

Pari-mutuel betting : Iowa Code §99D.11, in a simple sentence, prohibits a person under 18 from making a pari-mutuel wager. No one may knowingly permit a person under the age of 18 to make a pari-mutuel wager. Id. at §99D.24.

Casinos : Iowa raised the minimum gambling age on its riverboat casinos from 18 to 21 in 1989. It against the law for a licensee to knowingly allow a minor to participate in the gambling, or even to be in the area of the excursion boat where gambling is being conducted. Iowa Code §§99B.6 and 99F.9.

Bingo : Iowa makes some specific exemptions to its general prohibition on gambling by anyone under 21. There are no age limits at all for games of chance at carnivals, so long as only non-cash merchandise worth no more than $25 is given as prizes. Bingo similarly has no age limit; cash prizes may be given and are usually limited to $100; however, the bingo game may offer a jackpot of up to $800.

KANSAS —The general law of Kansas defines a minor as "a person under 21 years of age"; yet, the lower age of 18 is used for both legal and illegal gambling. Kansas Statutes §§41-2601(l) and (m).

Lottery : Kansas goes further than most states in keeping the presence of children out of the state lottery. Besides the usual restriction that licensees must be at least 18, the state legislature has prohibited the Kansas lottery from "recruiting for employment or as a volunteer any person under 18 years of age for the purpose of appearing, being heard or being quoted in any advertising or promotion of any lottery in any electronic or print media." Kansas Statutes §§74-8708, 74-8718, 74-8722.

Pari-mutuel betting : The legislature put the same ban on the Kansas racing commission, prohibiting the use of children in commercials. It is a crime to sell a pari-mutuel ticket to a person knowing such person to be under 18 years of age. Those under 18 are also specifically barred from buying the ticket. Kansas Statutes §§74-8810 and 74-8839.

Casinos : The state is in the middle of a protracted fight over Indian casinos. Although the legislature created a joint committee on gaming compacts, no mention was made of minimum age limits. Kansas Statutes §46-2303.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Minimum age limit of 18 to participate in the management, operation or conduct of any game of bingo. Kansas Statutes §79-4706. Although "conduct" is not the best word, this statute probably covers playing the game as well.

Lottery : It is a violation to knowingly sell a lottery ticket to someone under 18, and a misdemeanor to do it a second time. This would not prohibit adults from buying lottery tickets for minors. Kentucky Revised Statutes §154A.990.

Pari-mutuel betting : Although Kentucky statutes do not expressly cover pari-mutuel betting, Kentucky places an age restriction of 18 on all activities (except drinking); therefore, it is legal for anyone 18 or older to bet at race tracks. Kentucky Revised Statutes §2.015. The state's racing commissioners also report the minimum age as being 18. Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc., Pari-Mutuel Racing: 1996 at 59.

Bingo : Kentucky has a "Charitable Gaming" Act, which controls bingo games. The age limit is 18. A charitable organization may permit persons under 18 to play bingo if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and if only non-cash prizes are awarded. Kentucky Revised Statutes §238.545.

LOUISIANA —The latest state to raise the minimum age for some forms of gambling. Casino gaming was always limited to players over 21, but state Senator Dardenne's SB33 in 1998 amended La.R.S. §§ 27:319, 47:9025(B)(2) and 47:9070, raising the age from 18 to 21 for State Lottery and privately-owned video poker machines. A 19-year-old and the owner of a bar with video poker machines filed suit in January 1999, claiming the new law violates the state constitutional provision against age discrimination. AP Newswire J5840 (Jan. 7, 1999). The amendment provides that winnings of underage video pokers players are paid to the state. A video poker licensee, or its agent or employee, who allows persons under 21 but at least 15 to play, reasonably believing the minor is over 21, is fined $1,000 for the first violation, $1,000 for the second violation in a year, and loses its license for a third violation. A licensee who knowingly lets a minor over 15 play, or even inadvertently lets a child under 15 play, will have its license revoked. The minor is fined up to $100. The State Lottery is treated more leniently: Knowingly selling a ticket to a minor leads to a fine of $100 to $500; the minor is fined up to $100; but adults may purchase lottery tickets for children as gifts. Louisiana has everything except sports betting: Riverboat casinos, two Indian casinos, America's first urban land-based casino in New Orleans, video poker machines everywhere with large numbers at truckstops and racetracks, electronic bingo machines, pari-mutuel betting, and a state lottery.

Lottery : See paragraph above. The law provides that no ticket shall knowingly be sold to any person under the age of 21, but does not prohibit the purchase of a ticket by a person over 21 for the purpose of making a gift to a minor. Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:9025 and 47:9070.

Pari-mutuel betting : The state legislature told the state racing commission to adopt rules and regulations to exclude and eject "persons . . . who are not of age." Louisiana Revised Statutes 4:193. Another state statute holds that any minor age six or above may, with the permission of the racing association, be allowed to attend any race meeting if accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian but in no case shall any minor in attendance be allowed to engage in wagering. An applicant for licensure as a jockey, apprentice jockey, exercise person, groom, or hot walker must be at least 16. Louisiana Revised Statutes 4:150 and 4:157.

Casinos and slot machines : Anyone under 21 is not permitted to play any table game or slot machine, loiter in the designated gaming area of a riverboat, or be employed as a gaming employee. Non-riverboat gaming devices are similarly limited to players over 21. The legal burden is placed both on the minor and on the gambling operator. Louisiana Revised Statutes 4:525, 4:544 and 4:660.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Louisiana Revised Statutes 33:4861.11 prohibits any licensee from allowing any person under 18 to assist in "the holding, operation, or conduct of any game of chance," including electronic bingo machines. This statutory language is vague but probably covers players.

Lottery : Maine has one of the weakest regulatory schemes for its state lottery. Tickets may not be sold to anyone under 18, but may not be bought by adults as gifts for minors. The minor who buys illegally is subject to no punishment. In addition, there is no penalty for unintentionally selling to a minor. The only punishment comes in when a lottery agent knowingly sells to a minor, but this is punished as a civil, not criminal, violation with a maximum fine of only $200. Maine Revised Statutes Title 8, §§374 and 380.

Pari-mutuel betting : Off-track betting facilities are open to children under age 16 when accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or custodian. A person under the age of 18 is not only prohibited from participating in a pari-mutuel pool, but may not come within 15 feet of a betting window or other place for accepting wagers. Maine Revised Statutes title 8, §§275-D and 278.

Bingo and pull-tabs : No one under the age of 16 years is permitted to take part in the conduct of, or participate in, the game of "Beano" or "Bingo," nor shall such minor be admitted to the playing area unless accompanied by parent, guardian or other responsible person. Maine Revised Statutes title 17, §319.

MARYLAND —Maryland's gambling laws contain a number of unique quirks.

Lottery : The state follows the other states in requiring that no ticket be sold to a person the seller knows is under 18, while allowing adults to buy tickets for minors as gifts. Lottery sellers must be at least 21. Maryland State Government Code §§9-112 and 9-124.

Pari-mutuel betting : The state's racing commissioners report the minimum age as being 18. Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc., Pari-Mutuel Racing: 1996 at 59.

Casinos and slot machines : Charities in some parts of Maryland can operate casinos, including slot machines.

Bingo : Maryland's bingo laws are unique in two aspects: the state legislature has passed specific statutes for individual counties, rather than a single law covering the entire state; and some statutes explicitly allow 16-year-olds to play bingo. Maryland Criminal Law Code Art. 27, "Gaming."

MASSACHUSETTS

Lottery : The state follows the other states in requiring that no ticket be sold to a person the seller knows is under 18, while allowing adults to buy tickets for minors as gifts. Lottery sellers must be at least 21. Massachusetts General Laws chapter 10, §§24 and 29.

Pari-mutuel betting : Massachusetts does not even allow minors (age 18) to attend its horse and dog races, let alone make bets. But the penalties are very small. First time violators are fined no more than $100.00. Even permitting a minor to make bets subjects a track to a fine of no more than $100.00. Massachusetts General Laws chapter 128A, §§9 and 10.

Bingo and pull-tabs : In Massachusetts, Bingo is called "Beano." State law requires "that no person under 18 years of age shall be permitted in that portion of any building or premises of the licensee during such time as such game is being played." Massachusetts General Laws chapter 10, §38.

Casinos : The governor of Massachusetts has agreed to allow an Indian tribe to own a casino, with a minimum gambling age of 21.

Lottery : It is a misdemeanor to knowingly sell, or offer to sell, a lottery ticket to anyone under 18. Although tickets may not be sold to minors, an adult may buy one as a gift for someone under 18. State law also requires a person to be at least 18 in order to acquire a lottery resale license. Michigan Compiled Laws §§432.11 and 432.29.

Pari-mutuel betting : "A holder of a race meeting license shall not knowingly permit a person less than 18 years of age to be a patron of the pari-mutuel wagering conducted or supervised by the holder." Michigan Compiled Laws §431.72.

Casinos and slot machines : Charities are allowed to run "Millionaire parties," i.e., casinos. Michigan has signed compacts with many tribes, now operating high-stakes casinos throughout the state. The legislature has voted a minimum age of 18 for all charity casinos. Michigan Compiled Laws §432.110a. Indian casinos appear to be abiding by this age limit.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Charity game ticket may not be sold to anyone under 18. However, like lottery tickets, charity pull-tabs may be bought for minors as gifts by adults. Michigan Compiled Laws §432.107a.

MINNESOTA —Minnesota is the only state that, at least on paper, came close to having a comprehensive plan for dealing with the minimum age for gambling, and it failed. After the compacts were signed, the state legislature passed a statute mandating that Indian casinos be restricted to adults over 21, and added that the minimum age for all other forms of legal gambling in the state would also be raised from 18 to 21 if more than half the tribes agreed to that limit. The tribes took this as a trick to get them to re-open compact negotiations and rejected the move to 21.

Lottery : Minnesota is unusual in setting up a complex system for dealing with underage lottery players, including prohibiting minors from receiving prizes. This would seem to preclude gifts by adults.

Minnesota Statutes §349A.12. Prohibited acts:

Subdivision 1. Purchase by minors. A person under the age of 18 years may not buy or redeem for a prize a ticket in the state lottery.

Subdivision 2. Sale to minors. A lottery retailer may not sell and a lottery retailer or other person may not furnish or redeem for a prize a ticket in the state lottery to any person under the age of 18 years.

It is an affirmative defense, meaning the burden is on the lottery retailer, to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he reasonably and in good faith relied upon the minor's showing a false identification.

Pari-mutuel betting : The age restrictions are identical to the state lottery. Minnesota Statutes §§240.13 and 240.25.

Casinos : More legal full-scale Indian casinos than Atlantic City, with minimum age limits presently at 18.

Bingo and pull-tabs : No one under 18 may buy a pull-tab, tipboard ticket, paddlewheel ticket, or raffle ticket, or a chance to participate in a bingo game other than a bingo game exempt or excluded from licensing; violation is a misdemeanor. A licensed organization or employee who allows a person under age 18 to participate in lawful gambling is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Michigan Statutes §349.2127.

MISSISSIPPI —Mississippi is one of the toughest states on both minors and casinos who violate the law: The underage gambler may not keep the winnings and the casino may not say it thought the minor was over 21.

Casinos : Mississippi has true riverboat casinos and dockside casinos that are technically over water but cannot move.

Mississippi Code §75-76-155. Age requirement for patrons and gaming employees; penalties for violations; belief as to person's age no excuse.

A person under the age of twenty-one (21) years shall not:

Play, be allowed to play, place Wagers, or collect winnings, whether personally or through an agent, from any gaming authorized under this chapter.

Be employed as a gaming employee.

Any licensee, employee, dealer or other person who violates or permits the violation of any of the provisions of this section, and any person under twenty-one (21) years of age who violates any of the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned in the county jail not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

In any prosecution or other proceeding for the violation of any of the provisions of this section, it is no excuse for the licensee, employee, dealer or other person to plead that he believed the person to be twenty-one (21) years old or over.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Charity bingo operators are given the unusual option of excluding anyone under 18. The state charitable bingo law provides that no licensee shall allow anyone under 18 to play a bingo game unless accompanied by his or her parent or legal guardian, except that a licensee may prohibit all persons under 18 from entering the licensed premises by posting a written notice to that effect. Mississippi Code §97-33-67. The state allows video pull-tab and video bingo machines.

Lottery : Tickets may not be sold to anyone under 18; however gifts by adults to minors are permitted. No one under 21 may be licensed as a lottery game retailer. Missouri Revised Statutes §§313.260 and 313.280.

Pari-mutuel betting : A strangely worded statute prohibits minors from ''knowingly making or attempting to make any wager on any horse race." I do not know how a minor could accidentally make a bet. Racetrack licensees may not knowingly permit anyone under 18, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, into any pari-mutuel wagering area. Licensees are also prohibited from knowingly permitting any individual under 18 to place a wager. Missouri Revised Statutes §313.670.

Casinos : Missouri has two unusual provisions: The state legislature explicitly gave cities the option to completely exclude minors from riverboat casinos; and a minor's parent or conservator may sue to recover any money lost gambling. The other provisions of the Excursion Gambling Boat Statute are typical: "A person under twenty-one years of age shall not make a wager on an excursion gambling boat and shall not be allowed in the area of the excursion boat where gambling is being conducted; provided that employees of the licensed operator of the excursion gambling boat who have attained eighteen years of age shall be permitted in the area in which gambling is being conducted when performing employment-related duties, except that no one under twenty-one years of age may be employed as a dealer or accept a wager on an excursion gambling boat." It is a misdemeanor to permit a person under 21 to make a wager. Missouri Revised Statutes §§434.060 and 313.817.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Children as young as 16 may play or participate in the conducting of bingo, and even those under 16 may attend, when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Missouri Revised Statutes §313.040.

MONTANA —The state has legalized video poker and keno machines. Montana also has card clubs and allows calcutta betting on sports events. Indian tribes are operating casinos.

Lottery : Tickets may not be sold to or by anyone under 18. Montana Code §§23-7-110, 23-7-301.

Pari-mutuel betting : Montana Code §23-4-301 prohibits the licensee permitting a minor to use the pari-mutuel system.

Casinos : A person under 18 may not "purposely or knowingly" participate in a gambling activity. The law also disallows an operator from purposely or knowingly allowing a person under 18 years of age to participate in a gambling activity. The Video Gaming Machine Control Law requires operators to place gaming devices in such a way as to prevent access by persons under 18. Montana Code §§23-5-158 and 23-5-603.

Charity bingo and pull-tabs : A "bingo caller" is defined as a person 18 years of age or older. Montana Code §23-5-112.

NEBRASKA —Nebraska has the unusual arrangement of having no state lottery, but allowing cities and counties to run lotteries. It then makes a strange age distinction:

Lottery : Villages, cities and counties can operate lotteries in Nebraska—minimum age to buy a ticket: 19. However, charity lotteries and raffles—minimum age to buy a ticket: 18. Compare Nebraska Revised Statutes §§9-646, 9-810, and 9-814 with §9-345, 9-430, 9-426. It is a minor misdemeanor for anyone under 19 to knowingly buy a governmental lottery ticket, and a more serious misdemeanor to knowingly sell one. While most states either allow adults to buy lottery tickets as gifts, or are silent on the issue, Nebraska explicitly prohibits anyone from buying a ticket for the benefit of a person under 19.

Pari-mutuel betting : Knowingly aiding or abetting any minor to make a pari-mutuel wager is a misdemeanor. Nebraska Revised Statutes §2-1207.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Age 18 minimum; lotteries are allowed to sell "pickle cards," i.e. pull-tabs. The state also allows keno, which has become a big business.

Lottery : The Nevada Constitution still prohibits all lotteries, except charity raffles. The enabling statute does not mention a minimum age for buying a raffle ticket. The age limit of 21 for casinos probably applies.

Pari-mutuel betting : Almost complete prohibition for everyone under 21. Notice the statutory prohibition on "loitering," allowing casinos to have minors pass through. Also note the minor is not allowed to collect; nothing is said to prevent casinos from keeping children's money, win or lose.

A person under the age of 21 years shall not:

Play, be allowed to play, place wagers at, or collect winnings from, whether personally or through an agent, any gambling game, slot machine, race book, sports pool or pari-mutuel operator.

Loiter, or be permitted to loiter, in or about any room or premises wherein any licensed game, race book, sports pool or pari-mutuel wagering is operated or conducted.

Be employed as a gaming employee except in a counting room. Any licensee, employee, dealer or other person who violates or permits the violation of any of the provisions of this section and any person, under 21 years of age, who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Nevada Revised Statutes §463.350.

Casinos : See Pari-mutuel betting, above. There are many additional specific restrictions, all set at age 21. Nevada Revised Statutes §129.130 prohibits gaming or employment in gaming of a person under 21. Section 205.460 makes it unlawful to allow a person under 21 to enter a gambling establishment or engage in gambling in a gambling establishment. Section 609.210 specifies that every person who employs, or causes to be employed, exhibits or has in his custody for exhibition or employment, any minor, and every parent, relative, guardian, employer, or other person having the care, custody, or control of any minor, who in any way procures or consents to the employment of the minor, in any area of a casino where there is gaming or where the sale of alcoholic beverages is the primary commercial activity unless the minor is in the casino area to provide entertainment pursuant to an employment contract, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Lottery : Tickets may not be sold to anyone under 18; however, gifts by adults are allowed. New Hampshire Revised Statutes §287-F:8

Pari-mutuel betting : Limited to bettor over 21. New Hampshire Revised Statutes §284:33.

Bingo and pull-tabs : State law prohibits anyone under 18 to be admitted to or play bingo games. New Hampshire Revised Statutes §§287-E:7, 287-E:10 and 287-E:12.

NEW JERSEY —Mostly as historic accidents, New Jersey has chosen a different standard for each type of gambling permitted by law. Pari-mutuel: minors. Bingo: 18 with no exceptions. State lottery: 18, but tickets may be received by children as gifts. Casinos: drinking age.

Lottery : Tickets may not be sold to anyone under 18; gifts by adults are allowed. Minimum age for lottery agents is 21. New Jersey Revised Statutes §§5:9-15 and 5:9-7.

Pari-mutuel betting : Strict restrictions on minors, which is currently 18. New Jersey Statutes §5:5-65.

Casinos : Atlantic City casinos must exclude anyone not old enough to drink alcoholic beverages, currently 21. New Jersey Statutes §5:12-119. As explained in the text, the state allows a casino to claim it did not know the minor was under 21 only when the casino is charged with a criminal offense; strict liability is imposed for all non-criminal procedures, including administrative fines.

Bingo : Prohibited to anyone under 18. New Jersey Statutes §5:8-32.

NEW MEXICO —Tribes opened casinos without compacts. The Governor then signed compacts, but the State Supreme Court and federal courts ruled he did not have the power to authorize forms of gambling not permitted under New Mexico state law. The Legislature approved a compromise: compacts for tribes, with a heavy state tax, and slot machines for race tracks and fraternal organizations. The tribes reluctantly agreed to the compacts, but are challenging the tax aspect, which does appear to violate the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The state is unique in allowing betting on bicycle races.

Lottery : Tickets may not be sold to anyone under 18, but gifts by adults are permitted. Lottery retailers must be at least 18. New Mexico Statutes §§6-24-14, 6-24-15, and 6-24-32.

Pari-mutuel betting : Betting on bicycle races is limited to age 21. The horse racing statutes do not give a minimum age for placing a bet. The state's racing commissioners report the minimum age as being 18. Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc., Pari-Mutuel Racing: 1996 at 59.

Casinos : Compacts require Indian casinos to limit players to a minimum gambling age of 21.

Bingo and pull-tabs : New Mexico gambling statutes do not specify a minimum age for players.

NEW YORK —New York has signed a compact with the Oneida tribe, resulting in an Indian casino without slot machines; Turning Stone is probably the most profitable table-games-only casino in the world. New York off-track betting operations are taking telephone wagers from around the nation. The state also allows charities to run casino nights; minimum age is 18. New York General Municipal Law §195-a.

Lottery : Tickets may not be sold to anyone under 18; however, adults may buy tickets for the purpose of making a gift to a minor. The New York courts upheld the right of the underage recipient to collect if his ticket wins. New York Tax Law §1610, Pando v. Fernandez 485 N.Y.S.2d 162, 127 Misc.2d 224 (1984), affirming that the minor's age is no bar but reversing on other grounds, 499 N.Y.S.2d 950, 118 A.D.2d 474 (1986).

Pari-mutuel betting : Tracks and off-track betting operations are required to prevent betting by anyone who is actually and apparently under 18 years of age. This gives racing operators the excuse that the minor looked over 18. New York Racing and Pari-mutuel Law §104.

Bingo and pull-tabs : New York General Municipal Law §486 allows anyone under 18 to participate in bingo games, if accompanied by an adult.

Casinos : New York has signed a compact with the Oneida tribe creating Turning Stone, the largest casino in the world without slot machines. The state also allows charities to run casino nights.

NORTH CAROLINA —North Carolina has signed a compact to allow the Cherokee Tribe to operate video gaming at its bingo hall.

Bingo : State Bingo statutes do not specify a minimum age for players.

NORTH DAKOTA

Lottery : North Dakota is the only state where voters refused to authorize a state lottery, in part because the state already has so many other forms of gambling, including charity casinos.

Pari-mutuel betting : North Dakota allows a primitive form of pari-mutuel betting, called Calcutta Pool, on all sporting events other than high school contests—age limit 18. North Dakota Century Code §53-06.1-07.3. North Dakota is apparently the only state to put a higher limit—minimum age 21—on pari-mutuel wagering at OTBs than at the track. The state's racing commissioners report the minimum age as being 18. Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc., Pari-Mutuel Racing: 1996 at 59.

Casinos : North Dakota Century Code §53-06.1-07.1 prevents any person under 21 from directly or indirectly playing games of pull-tabs, punchboards, twenty-one, calcuttas, sports pools, paddlewheels, or poker. Low limit blackjack, for charity, is common throughout the state. Tribes operate full-scale casinos under compacts.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Although pull-tabs are restricted to players over 21, bingo is limited to players over 18, unless accompanied by an adult. North Dakota Century Code §53-06.1-07.1.

Lottery : Ohio Revised Code §3770.08 prohibits the sale of a lottery ticket or chance to a person under 18 years of age.

Pari-mutuel betting : "Minors," currently age 18, are barred from participating. Regulation 3731.2.

Bingo : A wonderful minimum age: Participants and operators in Bingo games conducted by multipurpose senior centers must be at least 60 years old. Employees at other bingo halls must be over 18. Ohio Revised Code §§173.121 and 2915.09.

Pari-mutuel betting : Oklahoma Statutes title 3A§208.4 prevents any organization licensee from knowingly permitting any minor to be a patron of the pari-mutuel system of wagering conducted by the organization licensee.

OREGON —The state lottery operates video poker machines and takes bets on sports events. Tribes in the state are operating full-scale casinos pursuant to compacts.

Lottery : The state has a strict scheme for dealing with minors. Lottery tickets may not be sold to anyone under 18. If someone under 18 wins the lottery, they may not be paid the prize. This effectively eliminates adults buying tickets as gifts. Oregon Revised Statutes §§461.250, 461.300, and 461.600.

Pari-mutuel betting : If a track has a reasonable doubt that a patron is over 18, it must require the bettor to make a written statement of age and furnish evidence of his true age and identity. The state statutes prevent any person under 18 from entering a race course, except when accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who is the person's parent, guardian, or spouse; or when in the performance of a duty incident to employment. It further prohibits any person under 12 from entering after 6 p.m.

This statute also prohibits any person under 18 from loitering in the wagering area of a race course. Oregon Revised Statutes §§462.190 and 462.195.

Casinos : Video poker is limited to age 21 and older, because the devices are limited to establishments with liquor licenses. However, the first Indian/State casino compact put the minimum age at 18 for video poker machines; all later compacts put the age at 21. Compacts were also signed putting the minimum age at 18 for bingo and blackjack. So, the present situation allows one Indian casino to let 18-year-olds gamble at all of its games; the other Indian casinos must restrict machine gambling to age 21, but may allow 18-year-olds to play every other game. The compacts for blackjack are only temporary, and the state will insist that the age for that game be raised to 21. Besides the Indian casinos, the state has cardrooms for poker and blackjack under a vaguely worded statute allowing "contests of chance." Oregon Revised Statutes §163.575 makes it a crime of endangering the welfare of a minor if the person knowingly induces, causes, or permits a person under 18 to participate in gambling.

PENNSYLVANIA

Lottery : Lottery tickets may not be sold to anyone under 18, but adults may give tickets as gifts to minors. Lottery agents must be over 21. Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes title 72 §§3761-6, 3761-10.

Pari-mutuel betting : Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes title 4 §325.228 states, "No licensed corporation shall permit any person who is actually and apparently under 18 years of age to wager at a race meeting conducted by it. No licensed corporation shall permit any person who is under 18 years of age to attend a horse race meeting conducted by it unless the person is accompanied by a parent or guardian."

Casinos : Charities can operate casinos under Pennsylvania's "Small Games of Chance Act," minimum age limit is 18. Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes title 10 §320.

Bingo : Persons under 18 are not permitted to play bingo unless accompanied by an adult. Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes title 10 §305.

PUERTO RICO —Puerto Rico allows betting on cockfights, bolitas, and various other forms of gambling, including full-scale casinos with an unusual twist: the slot machines are owned and operated by the Commonwealth government itself.

Lottery : Sales prohibited to persons under 18. Puerto Rico Laws title 15 §§809 and 814.

Pari-mutuel betting : No age limit is mentioned in the statute. The state's racing commissioners report the minimum age as being 18. Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc., Pari-Mutuel Racing: 1996 at 59.

Casinos : "No gambling room shall be permitted to advertise or otherwise offer their facilities to the public of Puerto Rico; or to admit persons under 18 years of age." Puerto Rico Laws title 15 §77. Despite the obvious infringement on free speech, this statute was declared constitutional by the United States Supreme Court in Posadas de Puerto Rico Assoc. v. Tourism Co. , 478 U.S. 328, 92 L.Ed.2d 266, 106 S.Ct. 2968 (1986).

Bingo : Puerto Rico Laws title 15 §71 equates bingo to other gambling games such as roulette, dice, and cards, thus bingo would be governed under §77's 18-year-old age limit.

RHODEISLAND —The Rhode Island state lottery operates video lottery terminals at racetracks.

Lottery : "No person under the age of eighteen (18) years may play a video lottery game authorized by this chapter, nor shall any licensed video lottery retailer knowingly permit a minor to play a video lottery machine or knowingly pay a minor with respect to a video lottery credit slip. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500)." Lottery tickets may not be sold to anyone under 18, but adults may give tickets as gifts to minors. Lottery agents must be over 21. General Laws of Rhode Island §42-61.2-5, 11-19-32, and 42-61-9.

Pari-mutuel : Licensees may not admit anyone under 18 into a building where pari-mutuel betting or simulcast is taking place, nor knowingly permit any minor to be a patron of the pari-mutuel system or any other betting system. General Laws of Rhode Island §§41-4-2 and 41-11-4.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Anyone under 18 is not permitted to play. General Laws of Rhode Island §11-19-32.

SOUTH CAROLINA —South Carolina accidentally legalized video gaming devices, with off-beat restrictions, through a series of strange statutes and court decisions. In 1988, Terry Blackmon, a grocery store owner, was indicated for paying players for the free replays they won on his store's video poker machines. The State Supreme Court ruled that a poorly worded anti-slot machine statute actually legalized the devices. The legislature had exempted "coin-operated nonpayout machines with a free play feature." The Court declared that video gaming devices were legal, so long as the machine itself did not dispense money. However, the Court later ruled that an even more ancient statute allowed losers to sue and get their money back. In June 1993 the state legislature enacted a new law in an attempt to clarify that at least some of these "video game machines" are legal, so long as they are approved by local voters, and pay no more than $125 per day. But the State Supreme Court continues to render conflicting decisions and law-suits against video poker are pending. In the most recent case, the Court ruled three-to-two that not all video games are created equal. Under the majority's reading of South Carolina laws, video poker machines are legal, but video slot machines are illegal and can be ordered destroyed. State v. Four Video Slot Machines , S.C., 453 S.E.2d 896 (1995); State v. Blackmon , 304 S.C. 270, 403 S.E.2d 660 (1991); Berkebile v. Outen , 311 S.C. 50, 426 S.E.2d 760 (1993); Code of Laws of South Carolina §§32-1-10, 12-21-2791, and 61-9-410. No one under 21 may play or collect winnings.

SOUTH DAKOTA —South Dakota was one of the first states to allow its state lottery to set up video lottery terminals, slot machines without coin drops. The state also allows full-scale, low-stake casinos in Deadwood and on Indian land.

Lottery : Lottery tickets may not be sold to anyone under 18. However, to play a video lottery terminal a gambler must be at least 21. South Dakota Codified Laws §§42-7A-13, 42-7A-32, 42-7A-44, and 42-7A-48.

Pari-mutuel betting : South Dakota Codified Laws §42-7-76 prohibits a racetrack licensee from permitting any individual under the age of 18 to place a bet on a race.

Casinos : Participation in casino games is limited to gamblers 21 and older. South Dakota Codified Laws §§42-7B-35, 42-7B-4, and 42-7B-25.

Pari-mutuel betting : Tennessee had legalized horse racing, but the statute contained a sunset clause, causing it to expire by its own terms before a track could be licensed or built. The age limit was clearly stated: Code §4-36-310 stated in its entirety, ''No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall be permitted to wager at any race meeting."

Lottery : Lottery tickets may not be sold to anyone under 18, but adults may give tickets as gifts to minors. Texas Government Code §466.253.

Pari-mutuel betting : Minimum age for betting is defined as the minimum age for buying alcoholic drinks.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Texas Civil Code Art. 179d prohibits any person from knowingly permitting any individual under 18, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18, to be admitted to a bingo parlor.

UTAH —Utah, Hawaii, and Tennessee are the only states prohibiting all forms of commercial gambling. Utah, unlike Hawaii, does not even allow social bets.

Lottery : Vermont limits its state lottery to persons who have "attained the age of majority," currently 18. However, minors may receive lottery tickets as gifts. Vermont Statutes title 13 §2143, title 31 §§654 and 661.

Pari-mutuel betting : Vermont Statutes title 31 §613 prohibits a minor from participating in any pari-mutuel pools or even to be admitted to any pari-mutuel enclosure.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Like the lottery, limited to age of majority.

VIRGIN ISLANDS —In 1995 the Virgin Islands began formal steps to legalize casinos.

Lottery : Virgin Islands Code title 32 §254 prohibits sales to anyone under the age of 18. This does not prohibit gifts by adults to minors.

Lottery : Code of Virginia §§58.1-4015 states, "No ticket shall be sold to or redeemed from any person under the age of 18 years. Any licensee who knowingly sells or offers to sell or redeem a lottery ticket or shares to or from any person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor."

Pari-mutuel betting : Code of Virginia §59.1-403 prevents any person under 18 from wagering on or conducting any wagering on the outcome of a horse race.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Instant bingo is limited to players over 18. Code of Virginia §18.2-340.5.

WASHINGTON —The state has entered into compacts allowing tribes to open casinos without slot machines.

Lottery : Revised Code of Washington §67.70.120 prohibits sales to anyone under 18. This does not prohibit gifts by adults to minors.

Casinos : Besides Indian casinos, Washington allows cardrooms, where poker and blackjack are played. Revised Code of Washington §9.46.0305 prevents minors from wagering.

Bingo and pull-tabs : These games may be covered by §9.46.0305, mentioned above.

WEST VIRGINIA —The West Virginia state lottery operates video lottery terminals in racetracks.

Lottery : West Virginia Code §29-22-11 prohibits sales to anyone under the age of 18. This does not prohibit gifts by adults to minors.

Bingo : Bingo operators are prohibited from allowing anyone under 18 to participate in the playing of any bingo game with knowledge or reason to believe that the individual is under the age of 18. However, an individual 18 may attend the playing of a bingo game when accompanied by and under the supervision of an adult relative or a legal guardian. West Virginia Code §47-20-4

Lottery : Wisconsin has a comprehensive statutory scheme for handling minors and lottery tickets. Like many other states, the minimum age is 18, although minors may receive tickets as gifts. Wisconsin is one of the few states to specifically go after a minor's adult agent: The state makes it a crime to sell a lottery ticket not only to a minor but to an adult who is buying on behalf of the minor and not as a gift. Wisconsin Statutes §§565.17, 565.30, 565.12, and 565.10.

Pari-mutuel betting : Wisconsin Statutes §444.09 prevents any person under 18 "to be admitted to a racetrack, unless accompanied by a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, guardian or spouse who is at least 18 years of age, or unless accompanied by another person at least 18 with the written permission of the minor's parent or guardian." Even at the track 18-year-olds may not make a wager or receive any payout on a wager and no licensee may knowingly accept a wager or pay out winnings to anyone under 18. No one under 16 may work in any pari-mutuel wagering activity.

Bingo and pull-tabs : Anyone under 18 may not play bingo, unless accompanied by that person's parent, guardian, or spouse. Wisconsin Statutes §563.51.

Casinos : The state entered into compacts allowing tribes to open full-scale, high-stake casinos—with expirations dates beginning in 1998. When the compacts came up for renewal, the state asked for more money and insisted that the age limit be raised from 18 to 21. So far, 11 of the state's 15 tribes have agreed. Wisconsin: New Compacts Guarantee State Tribal Payments, Casino Journal's National Gaming Summary at p. 12 (January 4, 1999).

Pari-mutuel betting : Wyoming Statutes §11-25-109 states, "No person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall place or be allowed to place a bet."

Source: I. Nelson Rose, Gambling and the Law: Minimum Legal Age to Place A Bet. Costa Mesa, CA: Whittier Law School, 1999. Reprinted with permission.

By I. Nelson Rose, J.D. Harvard 1979, Professor of law at Whittier Law School. The author would like to thank his research assistants, Ranjit Indran, Jmaes B. Lewis, Kimberly Phillips, and Michael Shelton-Frates for their help with this project.

• Cite this Page National Research Council (US) Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of Pathological Gambling. Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1999. C, Legal-Age Gambling Opportunities and Restrictions.
• PDF version of this title (1.7M)

Recent Activity

• Legal-Age Gambling Opportunities and Restrictions - Pathological Gambling Legal-Age Gambling Opportunities and Restrictions - Pathological Gambling

Your browsing activity is empty.

Activity recording is turned off.

Turn recording back on

Connect with NLM

National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20894

Web Policies FOIA HHS Vulnerability Disclosure

Help Accessibility Careers

Gambling Ages By State - Legal Gambling Age For All 50 States

What Is The Legal Gambling Age In My State

Well, this answer will vary depending on the type of gambling in the state. For example, you can have a state with a gambling age of 18 for the state run lottery, but 21 for something like casinos or sports betting. The rules are specific to each state. The weirdest one is probably Alabama, where the legal gambling age is 19 across the board, for every type of gambling from sports betting to slot machines. Some states make everything legal at 21 while others at 18.

Below, you can find a table of various gambling ages so you can see all of the different ways it can change in different states. There are a bunch of different gambling ages that all change depending on the state and the type of gambling involved.

Why Do States Have A Legal Gambling Age ?

States have legal gambling ages for various reasons. Without delving too deeply into America’s generally puritanical past, gambling is thought of as negative for various reasons in the country. For one, it’s frowned upon by the very religious in the country, and for another there are some scientific aspects to restricting it to adults as well. Children shouldn’t gamble because they aren’t responsible enough, as a rule, and so the law is a way of making sure that people don’t have their freedoms infringed, but do have protections for people who are young and whose decision-making capabilities have not fully developed. Basically, there are a lot of different reasons for legal gambling ages in the United States, but all you really need to know is that they exist.

What Happens If I Gamble Underage ?

Penalties can range from minor fines to major felonies. It is incredibly important that you don’t gamble underage. We created this entire page so that you would know what to do when it comes to gambling, and so that you would know not to gamble underage. It is so important to follow the law when it comes to gambling. Please make sure if you take one thing away from this, it is that you should not gamble underage.

AGES for GAMBLING in the USA

Legal sports betting age in the usa.

Just make sure that you’re over the legal age in your state. The gambling age for sports betting is usually 18-21, so if you’re over 21, you know you’re good to go, and if you’re under 18, you know you’re not good to go. Make sure you check the local laws for your state to know the specific information for your state.

Legal Age To Gamble At A Casino

The legal age to gamble at a casino is going to vary depending on states. Generally it will be from 18-21 in the states that it is legal in. Sometimes it will vary depending on the casino in question, as Native American casinos sometimes have lower betting ages than commercial casinos due to the compacts signed with the tribes. For online casinos, we recommend following the laws of the state, and if it is not well defined, make sure you’re over 21.

Legal Poker Age

Mostly, the answer will depend on the state that you are in. Poker can be played in different states in different times of your life. Generally, it will be between 18-21. As long as you are over the age of 21, you should be completely good to go, and play as much poker as you desire, either in a land based location or online.

Legal Horse Betting Age In The USA

The legal age to bet on horses will depend on where you are located. In some states, the horse betting age is as low as 18, while in others, it can be as high as 21. One thing to keep in mind is that 21 is the maximum - if you are over 21, you don’t need this page, you should be completely good to go. If you are under 21, you’re going to want to check the chart near the top of this page and find your state on it.

Legal Bingo Age In The USA

Legal Gambling Age For DFS Sites

Legal Age To Play State Lottery Games

Legal Age For Video Slots

Legal Age For Online Slots

Legal Gambling Age Betting Sites

• CRUISE TIPS
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Celebrity Cruise Line
• Disney Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Virgin Voyages
• Windstar Cruises
• Travel Deals
• CRUISE SHIP TRACKER
• Port Webcams

Suppose you want a gambling experience that perfectly blends the pleasure of traditional gaming with the fun of a riverboat tour. In that case, you should be playing in a riverboat casino and   online casinos .

Riverboat casinos are floating establishments in the river that offer all the perks of land-based casino in Singapore . They are primarily found in the United States, along the Mississippi River and its side streams, and along the Gulf Coast.

Best Riverboat Casinos

Originally, several states authorized these casinos to limit the areas where casinos could be established while also enabling gambling across different areas. Though riverboats were hardly taken away from the dock when these casinos were originally built, there are now several states where riverboat casinos sail along the river. Therefore, if you are prone to seasickness, an anchored riverboat casino might be a perfect fit for you. 

Today, there are a slew of riverboat casinos worldwide, with the Mississippi river housing the most impressive ones. Though it may seem like floating casinos do not have all the features of a land-based casino, they do provide some luxuries that make up for all the Vegas style amenities that they lack. 

As far as variety in games is concerned, riverboat casinos offer the same variety in gaming as a land-based casino while also allowing customers to relish their gambling experience more with exquisite scenery gliding beside them. Here’s a list of some of the best riverboat casinos in the world: 

The Star of Fortune, Buenos Aires

This Buenos Aires riverboat casino is one the most striking gambling spots in the world. It’s more commonly known by its nickname, The Star of Fortune. This casino has some very luxurious bars and restaurants with a wide range of cuisines. With over 150 tables and more than seven hundred games including various slot machines, roulette, and blackjack, you can have the most remarkable gambling experience on this riverboat. The Star of Fortune should be your first pick if you’re looking for an amazing riverboat cruise accompanied by one of the best gaming experiences of your life. 

Mississippi Belle II, USA

This river-dwelling casino based in Iowa is much more than just a gambling spot. It offers so many recreations for children which makes it a perfect place to visit with family. From poker and blackjack to roulette and craps, you’ll find all kinds of gaming opportunities in this riverboat casino. It offers many amazing amenities like delicatessens, restaurants, and a large activity center for children.

Hollywood Casino, USA

Hollywood Casino is particularly famous for its slot games. It offers a wide range of games including 3-Card poker, 21 + 3 blackjack, Royal Match 21, Cajun Stud and many others. Besides its miscellaneous games collection, it has many special amenities like a wide range of buffets to choose from, amazing restaurants, and live music. 

Treasure Chest Casino, USA

If you want to have an extraordinary gambling experience accompanied by other entertainments, Treasure Chest casino, Louisiana is an ideal spot for you. It has an all-you-can-eat buffet which is one of the most attractive amenities of the place. The most unique feature of this Louisiana-based casino is its big prize giveaways. Besides its various amenities, it has around 36 table games including Mississippi Stud, Pai Gow, mini-baccarat, craps, roulette, and blackjack. For free spins and up to €250 in bonuses, visit platincasino.com/ie/book-of-the-princess.html

Related Articles

Viking announces new mongolia extension for china voyages starting in 2024, the world’s most powerful passports in 2024, new culinary experiences to debut aboard norwegian aqua.

Popular Categories

• Oceans 1541
• Cruise News 1316
• Cruise Tips 346
• Carnival Cruise Line 342
• River Cruises 229
• Royal Caribbean 174

© Copyright 2024 - Cruise Addicts

• Affiliate Disclaimer
• Privacy Policy

History of Riverboat Gambling on the Mississippi

The South has always been at least somewhat friendly to gambling due to the rise of the riverboat in the early 1900s. Games of chance were kept on the water so that anti-gambling laws wouldn’t apply. Games like poker and roulette took place on grand riverboats, even if the ship never left the dock.

This tradition was greatly reduced when the railroad became the main way to transport both goods and people, but some riverboats remain in the South today. In Mississippi and Louisiana, especially, retired steamboats are now used for river cruising and for gambling in places like Vicksburg.

Online casinos are one of the latest innovations in the casino industry. Since the rise of technological advancements, they are solid competitors to U.S.-based land-based casinos. Many gambling restrictions still remain in the South and across the ocean. For example, every casino in the UK gets licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.

The regulations of the U.S. online casino market have led to developers existing who only get associated with U.S. casinos and are not available at UK-based gaming sites. Some famous developers for the U.S. market are RealTime Gaming, Relax Gaming, Rival Gaming, Elk Studios and Betsoft.

But for those players who want the old-time experience of dressing up and boarding a grand steamboat, the South has plenty for them. Just look along the Mississippi River from Missouri to Louisiana. According to Visit Mississippi , the first steamboat to travel the Mississippi River was the New Orleans, whose October 1811 maiden voyage began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The New Orleans stopped in Natchez in December 1811 before continuing to its final port in New Orleans.

Wealthy Southerners could afford to travel by steamboat, and some were ornately decorated in the Victorian style. The riverboat casinos that remain today continue that grand tradition, with music playing onboard, restaurants available to players and even live entertainment offered regularly.

So, if you want to step back in time and experience the old South by river—without all the outlaws and pirates —consider a riverboat cruise or evening of gaming.

SHARE THIS STORY:

Eco-conscious travel, the wild history of, related articles.

3 Must-Visit Histori

6 Creative Trips Thr

Best Photo Spots in

No comments, leave a comment cancel reply.

The Comprehensive Guide to Moscow Nightlife

• Posted on April 14, 2018 July 26, 2018
• by Kings of Russia
• 8 minute read

Moscow’s nightlife scene is thriving, and arguably one of the best the world has to offer – top-notch Russian women, coupled with a never-ending list of venues, Moscow has a little bit of something for everyone’s taste. Moscow nightlife is not for the faint of heart – and if you’re coming, you better be ready to go Friday and Saturday night into the early morning.

This comprehensive guide to Moscow nightlife will run you through the nuts and bolts of all you need to know about Moscow’s nightclubs and give you a solid blueprint to operate with during your time in Moscow.

What you need to know before hitting Moscow nightclubs

Prices in moscow nightlife.

Before you head out and start gaming all the sexy Moscow girls , we have to talk money first. Bring plenty because in Moscow you can never bring a big enough bankroll. Remember, you’re the man so making a fuzz of not paying a drink here or there will not go down well.

Luckily most Moscow clubs don’t do cover fees. Some electro clubs will charge 15-20$, depending on their lineup. There’s the odd club with a minimum spend of 20-30$, which you’ll drop on drinks easily. By and large, you can scope out the venues for free, which is a big plus.

Bottle service is a great deal in Moscow. At top-tier clubs, it starts at 1,000$. That’ll go a long way with premium vodka at 250$, especially if you have three or four guys chipping in. Not to mention that it’s a massive status boost for getting girls, especially at high-end clubs.

Without bottle service, you should estimate a budget of 100-150$ per night. That is if you drink a lot and hit the top clubs with the hottest girls. Scale down for less alcohol and more basic places.

Dress code & Face control

Door policy in Moscow is called “face control” and it’s always the guy behind the two gorillas that gives the green light if you’re in or out.

In Moscow nightlife there’s only one rule when it comes to dress codes:

You can never be underdressed.

People dress A LOT sharper than, say, in the US and that goes for both sexes. For high-end clubs, you definitely want to roll with a sharp blazer and a pocket square, not to mention dress shoes in tip-top condition. Those are the minimum requirements to level the playing field vis a vis with other sharply dressed guys that have a lot more money than you do. Unless you plan to hit explicit electro or underground clubs, which have their own dress code, you are always on the money with that style.

Getting in a Moscow club isn’t as hard as it seems: dress sharp, speak English at the door and look like you’re in the mood to spend all that money that you supposedly have (even if you don’t). That will open almost any door in Moscow’s nightlife for you.

Types of Moscow Nightclubs

In Moscow there are four types of clubs with the accompanying female clientele:

High-end clubs:

These are often crossovers between restaurants and clubs with lots of tables and very little space to dance. Heavy accent on bottle service most of the time but you can work the room from the bar as well. The hottest and most expensive girls in Moscow go there. Bring deep pockets and lots of self-confidence and you have a shot at swooping them.

Regular Mid-level clubs:

They probably resemble more what you’re used to in a nightclub: big dancefloors, stages and more space to roam around. Bottle service will make you stand out more but you can also do well without. You can find all types of girls but most will be in the 6-8 range. Your targets should always be the girls drinking and ideally in pairs. It’s impossible not to swoop if your game is at least half-decent.

Basic clubs/dive bars:

Usually spots with very cheap booze and lax face control. If you’re dressed too sharp and speak no Russian, you might attract the wrong type of attention so be vigilant. If you know the local scene you can swoop 6s and 7s almost at will. Usually students and girls from the suburbs.

Electro/underground clubs:

Home of the hipsters and creatives. Parties there don’t mean meeting girls and getting drunk but doing pills and spacing out to the music. Lots of attractive hipster girls if that is your niche. That is its own scene with a different dress code as well.

What time to go out in Moscow

Moscow nightlife starts late. Don’t show up at bars and preparty spots before 11pm because you’ll feel fairly alone. Peak time is between 1am and 3am. That is also the time of Moscow nightlife’s biggest nuisance: concerts by artists you won’t know and who only distract your girls from drinking and being gamed. From 4am to 6am the regular clubs are emptying out but plenty of people, women included, still hit up one of the many afterparty clubs. Those last till well past 10am.

As far as days go: Fridays and Saturdays are peak days. Thursday is an OK day, all other days are fairly weak and you have to know the right venues.

The Ultimate Moscow Nightclub List

Short disclaimer: I didn’t add basic and electro clubs since you’re coming for the girls, not for the music. This list will give you more options than you’ll be able to handle on a weekend.

Preparty – start here at 11PM

Classic restaurant club with lots of tables and a smallish bar and dancefloor. Come here between 11pm and 12am when the concert is over and they start with the actual party. Even early in the night tons of sexy women here, who lean slightly older (25 and up).

The second floor of the Ugolek restaurant is an extra bar with dim lights and house music tunes. Very small and cozy with a slight hipster vibe but generally draws plenty of attractive women too. A bit slower vibe than Valenok.

Very cool, spread-out venue that has a modern library theme. Not always full with people but when it is, it’s brimming with top-tier women. Slow vibe here and better for grabbing contacts and moving on.

High-end: err on the side of being too early rather than too late because of face control.

Secret Room

Probably the top venue at the moment in Moscow . Very small but wildly popular club, which is crammed with tables but always packed. They do parties on Thursdays and Sundays as well. This club has a hip-hop/high-end theme, meaning most girls are gold diggers, IG models, and tattooed hip hop chicks. Very unfavorable logistics because there is almost no room no move inside the club but the party vibe makes it worth it. Strict face control.

Close to Secret Room and with a much more favorable and spacious three-part layout. This place attracts very hot women but also lots of ball busters and fakes that will leave you blue-balled. Come early because after 4am it starts getting empty fast. Electronic music.

A slightly kitsch restaurant club that plays Russian pop and is full of gold diggers, semi-pros, and men from the Caucasus republics. Thursday is the strongest night but that dynamic might be changing since Secret Room opened its doors. You can swoop here but it will be a struggle.

Mid-level: your sweet spot in terms of ease and attractiveness of girls for an average budget.

Started going downwards in 2018 due to lax face control and this might get even worse with the World Cup. In terms of layout one of the best Moscow nightclubs because it’s very big and bottle service gives you a good edge here. Still attracts lots of cute girls with loose morals but plenty of provincial girls (and guys) as well. Swooping is fairly easy here.

I haven’t been at this place in over a year, ever since it started becoming ground zero for drunken teenagers. Similar clientele to Icon but less chic, younger and drunker. Decent mainstream music that attracts plenty of tourists. Girls are easy here as well.

Sort of a Coyote Ugly (the real one in Moscow sucks) with party music and lots of drunken people licking each others’ faces. Very entertaining with the right amount of alcohol and very easy to pull in there. Don’t think about staying sober in here, you’ll hate it.

Artel Bessonitsa/Shakti Terrace

Electronic music club that is sort of a high-end place with an underground clientele and located between the teenager clubs Icon and Gipsy. Very good music but a bit all over the place with their vibe and their branding. You can swoop almost any type of girl here from high-heeled beauty to coked-up hipsters, provided they’re not too sober.

Afterparty: if by 5AM  you haven’t pulled, it’s time to move here.

Best afterparty spot in terms of trying to get girls. Pretty much no one is sober in there and savage gorilla game goes a long way. Lots of very hot and slutty-looking girls but it can be hard to tell apart who is looking for dick and who is just on drugs but not interested. If by 9-10am you haven’t pulled, it is probably better to surrender.

The hipster alternative for afterparties, where even more drugs are in play. Plenty of attractive girls there but you have to know how to work this type of club. A nicer atmosphere and better music but if you’re desperate to pull, you’ll probably go to Miks.

Weekday jokers: if you’re on the hunt for some sexy Russian girls during the week, here are two tips to make your life easier.

Chesterfield

Ladies night on Wednesdays means this place gets pretty packed with smashed teenagers and 6s and 7s. Don’t pull out the three-piece suit in here because it’s a “simpler” crowd. Definitely your best shot on Wednesdays.

If you haven’t pulled at Chesterfield, you can throw a Hail Mary and hit up Garage’s Black Music Wednesdays. Fills up really late but there are some cute Black Music groupies in here. Very small club. Thursday through Saturday they do afterparties and you have an excellent shot and swooping girls that are probably high.

Shishas Sferum

This is pretty much your only shot on Mondays and Tuesdays because they offer free or almost free drinks for women. A fairly low-class club where you should watch your drinks. As always the case in Moscow, there will be cute girls here on any day of the week but it’s nowhere near as good as on the weekend.

In a nutshell, that is all you need to know about where to meet Moscow girls in nightlife. There are tons of options, and it all depends on what best fits your style, based on the type of girls that you’re looking for.

Related Topics

• moscow girls
• moscow nightlife

The Top 3 Cities in Ukraine for First Timers

• Posted on July 7, 2018 August 4, 2019

You May Also Like

• Uncategorized

The Best Expat Blogs for Moscow

• Posted on May 31, 2020 June 1, 2020

Finding a Russian Bride: How and Where to Meet Her

• Posted on August 9, 2019 August 9, 2019

Meeting Women in Moscow: Dating Perspectives on the World’s Most Beautiful Women

• Posted on August 5, 2019 August 9, 2019

Meeting Russian Women: Top 5 Locations

• Posted on August 3, 2019 June 1, 2020

Moscow vs St. Petersburg – Which One to Visit?

• Posted on July 31, 2019 August 3, 2019

Hot Russian Girls – Where to Find & Date Them

• Posted on March 30, 2019 March 30, 2019

A Guide to Teaching English in Russia

• Posted on August 11, 2018 October 9, 2019

How to Attract Russian Girls

• Posted on July 15, 2018 August 4, 2019

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser .

• Gorky Central Park of Culture and Recreation, Moscow
• Guide to Russia

What is the history of Gorky Park?

• In the pre-revolutionary period, Gorky Park was a city dump and wasteland, which was cleared in 1923 to host the All-Russian Agricultural and Artisan Industrial Exhibition
• In 1928, a huge park was planned on the former site of the exhibition. It would not just be a place of leisure, but a place to proudly display Soviet culture and daily life
• Gorky Park has remained a cultural hub ever since, and has been renovated and added to over the years to make it one of Moscow’s top attractions today

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Recreation

Gorky Park is the most famous park of Moscow, created during the Soviet period as a hub for relaxation and cultural activities. The park is beloved by Muscovites and tourists alike, who visit in all seasons to stroll, enjoy sports, admire the park’s attractions, and attend cultural events. Gorky Park is the central part of an ensemble of four green spaces – Muzeon Park of Arts, Neskuchny Garden, and Sparrow Hills Nature Reserve – which curve around the southern bank of the Moskva River to the south-west of Moscow city centre. Here you may spend some time and enjoy nature and contemprary art during your vacation in Moscow .

History of Gorky Park

Imperial russia.

In the 17th century, the eastern bank of the Moskva River beyond Moscow’s city limits was home to floodplain meadows, where palace horses grazed. From the mid-1850s, events such as cockfights, fistfights, and races were held here, and by the 20th century this area had become a city dump where the unemployed and homeless people of Moscow lived, which remained this way until the Soviet period. This wasteland lay in stark contrast to the adjoining Neskuchny Sad – ‘merry garden’ – which lay to its south, an area of aristocratic country estates and elaborate gardens.

Soviet Russia

Photo from  https://parkseason.ru/

Following the October Revolution, Vladimir Lenin travelled around Moscow to find a suitable site for the first All-Russian Agricultural and Artisan Industrial Exhibition, which would reveal opportunities for socialist development of agriculture and industry. Lenin decided on the wasteland alongside the Moskva River, which was cleared with a programme of community work. In 1923, the exhibition began. It encompassed 250 pavilions dedicated to different themes of agriculture and industry, and was divided into thematic zones, such as villages, livestock, crops, engineering, railways, republics of the USSR, and foreign countries. The organisation of the exhibition demarcated the future layout and size of Gorky Park, and the paths, ‘zones’, and main square of the exhibition have been preserved until the present day. In March 1928, Moscow City Council decided to establish a park of culture and recreation on the site of the former exhibition, which would also encompass the Neskuchny Garden. Moscow’s residents were instrumental in the construction of the park – they voiced their desires for events spaces, physical education and leisure facilities, and gave up their weekends to build the park. The park’s main architect was Konstantin Melnikov.

Did you know? Konstantin Melnikov also helped to construct Lenin’s Mausoleum and the Rusakov Worker’s Club, one of Moscow’s Constructivist masterpieces .

Over 100,000 Muscovites flocked to the opening of the park on 12th August 1928. The brand-new park was equipped with two theatres, a cinema, nursery, reading room, restaurant and café, music stages, sports arenas, rowing boats, and even a giant helter-skelter slide. Unfortunately, because of the vast size of the crowd and the general excitement, the park was damaged and closed until September.

Did you know? The park was not named after Maxim Gorky, writer and founder of Socialist Realism, until 1933.

In 1929, Betty Glan – at the mere age of 26 – became director of the park. She decided to reconceptualise it, uniting leisure, design, and ideology with the help of Moscow’s most eminent architects, designers and artists. Over the next decade, more cultural venues were established in the park, the Pushkinskaya Embankment along the Moskva River was developed, and the landscaping of the park was carefully cultivated. Architect Alexander Vlasov was particularly influential, and won the Grand Prix at the 1937 World Exhibition in Paris for his design of Gorky Park. This period under Glan’s directorship until 1937 was known as the ‘golden age’ of Gorky Park, which became not just a place for recreation, but a public space where Soviet culture and everyday life could be proudly displayed.

Did you know? During the Second World War topical events were held in Gorky Park, such as the championship in bayonet combat, grenade-throwing competitions, and air defence training. What’s more, an exhibition of captured enemy weapons – tanks, artillery, aeroplanes, and more – was organised in Gorky Park and continually updated throughout the war.

In the post-war decades new attractions were continually added to Gorky Park. These included the majestic 24-metre triumphal arch at the entrance to the park, an astronomical observatory (which remains open today), the famous Ferris wheel (unfortunately dismantled in 2008), and a fountain with lights and music.

Russia today

Photo from  https://countryscanner.ru/

The Gorky Park ensemble continued to flourish as a centre of culture and recreation in post-Soviet Russia. The adjoining Muzeon Park of Arts was founded in 1992, and Garage Museum of Contemporary Art was established in Gorky Park in 2008. The ensemble underwent serious reconstruction in 2011. Many new sports facilities were added, including centres for beach sports and extreme sports, bicycle paths and sports equipment rental hubs, and much effort was devoted to reviving original buildings, sculptures, and landscape compositions. Two years later, the embankment of the Moskva River from the southern tip of Zamoskvorechye Island all the way to Sparrow Hills was redeveloped and pedestrianised, making it possible to peacefully walk or cycle along the Moskva for many kilometres.

What can you do at Gorky Park today?

• Explore the park and see architectural attractions, fountains, and beautiful gardens
• Visit Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and the Gorky Park Museum
• Go boating on the lakes and stroll down the Pushkinskaya Embankment
• Rent bicycles or scooters, skateboard, and visit the sports centres

What can you do at Gorky Park?

Park attractions.

While exploring the treelined paths of Gorky Park, you’ll come across a number of attractions. To the west of the main entrance, near the river, is a beautiful geometric bandstand used for music and literary evenings in the Soviet period. As you head down the central alley of Gorky Park from the main entrance, you’ll see a statue of Maxim Gorky on your right, and discover the light and music fountain with its dancing jets of water – find the schedule of its performances here .

Did you know? Don’t be afraid to feed the red squirrels and birds you encounter on your walk around Gorky Park – there are even vending machines which sell special food for the animals!

The southern section of Gorky Park is occupied by the Golitsynsky Garden. In 1802, the Golitsyn Hospital was founded here as a hospital for the poor; it still adjoins Gorky Park today. Gardens were created as a relaxation place for patients, extending from the hospital building to the riverbank, and included landscaped gardens, a Chinese Bridge, and two ponds. On the riverbank is the Rotunda of the Golitsyn Hospital, which has been preserved since the 19th century. There is also a rose garden and fountain by the Bolshoi Golitsynsky Pond.

Did you know? In the Golitsynsky Garden is also located an unusual architectural monument – a public toilet designed by Alexander Vlasov in the 1930s, which is recognised as an ‘object of cultural heritage’!

Outdoor activities

Gorky Park’s extensive and varied grounds aren’t only good for walks! You can relax on the water by renting boats to sail on the Pionersky and Bolshoi Golitsynsky Ponds, or visiting the Olivkovy Beach on the Pushkinskaya Embankment to sunbathe. As well as this, you can hire bicycles, electric scooters, longboards or even roller skates to explore the park and embankments, play table tennis, visit the sports complex to play football, basketball, handball, badminton or volleyball, or visit the Vans skatepark or Nike sports centre for workouts and classes such as rooftop yoga.

Gorky Park Museum

Photo from  http://themedium.ru/

Visit the Gorky Park Museum, located in the left pier of the entrance arch. The current exhibition is dedicated to Gorky Park in the ‘golden age’ of the 1930s, and shows the development of Moscow’s central park through the eyes of Betty Glan. There is an observation deck on top of the arch, which offers a lovely view over the park and Moscow’s skyline.

Did you know? In the entrance arch there is also a gift shop where you can purchase balls, frisbees, blankets, and other items to enjoy your visit to Gorky Park.

Garage Museum of Contemporary Art

Photo from  https://muzeolog.com/

In Gorky Park you will find Garage Museum, Russia’s first philanthropic institution dedicated to contemporary art, founded in 2008 by Roman Abramovich and Dasha Zhukova. 10 major exhibitions are hosted each year to showcase the work of established and up-and-coming artists. Also organised are a rich programme of events including curator-led excursions, workshops, masterclasses, lectures, concerts, performances, festivals, and film screenings at Garage’s outdoor cinema. Read our article about Garage Museum of Contemporary Art to learn more.

Food and drink

There are plenty of excellent cafes and restaurants dotted around Gorky Park, where you can stop for a quick coffee or enjoy a long meal with a view. They include the stylish lakeside café Ostrovok (Little Island) and upmarket restaurant Vremena Goda (Seasons) which serve European and Russian food, colourful lakeside Thai restaurant Lebedinoe Ozero (Swan Lake), trattoria Merkato with its huge summer terrace, restaurant Syrovarnya (Cheese Factory) with a menu focused on its homemade cheese, food-truck court Restoparking which is stylised as a drive-in café, and ice-cream and tea shop Chaynaya Vysota.

What’s nearby?

Gorky Park is bordered by Muzeon Park of Arts, Neskuchny Garden, and Sparrow Hills Nature Reserve. This huge ensemble curves for eight kilometres along the bank of the Moskva River, providing a beautiful oasis of green in Europe’s biggest city.

Muzeon Park of Arts

Photo from  https://new-magazine.ru/

Muzeon Park of Arts is the largest open-air sculpture museum in Russia, home to 1,000 sculptures by Soviet and Russian sculptors, including those by famous artists. A large part of Muzeon is occupied by the New Tretyakov Gallery , which houses Russia’s most complete exhibition of national art from the 20th century to the present day. The pedestrianised Krymskaya Embankment which extends alongside Muzeon has recently undergone redevelopment, and is one of Moscow’s most popular spots to relax.

Neskuchny Garden

Neskuchny Garden is the oldest park in Moscow, founded in 1728 by Prince Nikita Trubetskoy, who threw fantastic festivities in his manor house and gardens – neskuchny means ‘merry’ in Russian. Many other noble families also built their country estates in this area, which became a public park and garden after being acquired by the royal family. Today, the Neskuchny Garden is home to historical buildings, fountains, and gardens from the 18th and 19th centuries, sports facilities, an open-air theatre, and a huge greenhouse which supplies flowers to Gorky Park.

Sparrow Hills

Sparrow Hills Nature Reserve is a huge forest park lining the steep bank of the Moskva River and the only specially protected nature area near the city centre. It is home to ecological trails, ponds, natural springs, rare species of plants and animals, many spots for picnicking, cafes, and a mini zoo. At the bottom of the park lie the Vorobyovskaya and Andreevskaya Embankments, with promenades along the Moskva River, a beach, and piers offering boat trips. As with Gorky Park, Sparrow Hills is hugely popular for sports and outdoor activities in all seasons. A new winter sports complex with snowboarding, ice skating, and ski tracks and jumps is currently under construction. When the weather is pleasant, you can rent a bicycle to ride the 8 kilometres along the river from Muzeon to Sparrow Hills.

Essential information for visitors Address and contact details Gorky Park, Krymsky Val, 9, Moscow, 119049 Website:  https://park-gorkogo.com/ Email:  [email protected] Telephone: +7 (495) 995-00-20 Nearest metro: Oktyabrskaya (570m), Park Kultury (860m) Opening hours and tickets

Related Tours

Highlights of Two Capitals

This is a well-balanced tour of Moscow and St. Petersburg that includes all must-see sights, such as the Kremlin, Red Square, the Peter and Paul Fortress, Peterhof with its world-famous fountains and, of course, the Hermitage Museum.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

Jewels of Two Capitals

It is our most complete and popular tour of Moscow and St. Petersburg. In addition to visiting all the emblematic places, you will also have free time for your own discoveries. On your free nights you can watch the shows at the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theaters or a folkloric show.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Our travel brands include

Express to Russia

Join us on Facebook

We invite you to become a fan of our company on Facebook and read Russian news and travel stories. To become a fan, click here .

Join our own Russian Travel, Culture and Literature Club on Facebook. The club was created to be a place for everyone with an interest in Russia to get to know each other and share experiences, stories, pictures and advice. To join our club, please follow this link .

We use cookies to improve your experience on our Website, and to facilitate providing you with services available through our Website. To opt out of non-essential cookies, please click here . By continuing to use our Website, you accept our use of cookies, the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . I agree