How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble: Casino Laws in Different Countries

Lisa Cheban | 28 september, 2022 10:19 | Last update on: 28 september, 2022 10:19

Online gambling is not only fun but also risky, so operators always warn players to gamble responsibly and follow certain rules. Moreover, the operators also follow the rules and regulations of the counties where they provide iGaming services. And one of these aspects is the legal gambling age.

The thing is that this parameter isn’t the same for all the regions where you can gamble, though one thing is for sure, you must be at least of legal age to access casinos online. Below, we are going to highlight age restrictions in countries where the iGaming industry is especially popular, including the UK, the USA, and Australia.

It’s worth noting that the laws are changeable and you need to change them immediately prior to the registration or placing real bets. However, below, our BetSquare team will add more details about the legal gambling age around the world to let you find out these details in different countries, including the UK, the USA, Australia, and other gambling locations.

As for gambling in the UK, it’s available and popular here, though the market is strictly regulated and there are loads of laws here, including the responsible gambling rules and, of course, the age allowed for gambling here.

Players can access UK online casino games here once they are 18+. Besides, this region is regulated by the local UKGC commission which is known worldwide. And when it comes to the games British gamblers can access, they are not only online slots but also different table games and more.

Perhaps, you’ve heard a lot about Las Vegas and Atlantic City, but gambling in America isn’t limited to these locations, especially when it comes to casinos online and US high roller casinos.

In the USA, the laws can be different depending on the state you are in. In general, the legal age limit varies from 18 to 21, and you need to check the laws in your particular state. For example, 18 years old for Alaska, Minnesota, and Idaho, and 21 for most other states.

Aussies can also benefit from online gambling once they are 18 or more. The range of opportunities for players in Australia is wide, so local players can enjoy all the well-known games, such as online pokies like Lucky 88, More Chili, Gonzo’s Quest, and more. But keep in mind that some providers don’t work in Australia, so the range of games may be somewhat smaller than in other areas.

In Europe, conditions for playing at online casinos are quite standard, while underage gambling is just as prohibited. And this age also depends on the particular country:

• Mainly, players need to be at least 18
• Some countries, including Germany, Belgium, and Ireland, require the minimum age of 21
• In Greece, you need to be at least 23
• And in Portugal, only gamblers over 25 years old are accepted

The rules connected with withdrawal limits, bonuses, and wagering can also vary depending on your location, so make sure to check this

Here in Japan, in most cases, gambling is prohibited and once you see a land-based casino, stay away since such establishments are run by Yakuza and they are not only illegal but also dangerous. Yet, an option to avoid problems is to gamble online.

The only restriction is that you need to be 20+ to do this. The popular casino games and events to gamble in Japan are pachinko, horse racing, and typical games, including slots and tables.

Macau is a hotspot for casino entertainment, including land-based skyscrapers designed to get together and online gambling to access all the popular titles from any location. The Hotel Lisboa Casino and Macau Palace Casino are the most popular local casinos, and there are dozens of cool online operators as well.

The laws here are quite interesting since you need to be 21+ if you are a local and only 18+ if you are a tourist. The games popular here are different table games like poker and local games like Chinese fan-tan.

As for this famous The Bahamas resort, those who visit The Bahamas or live here have a great opportunity to gamble once they are 18+. The region is friendly to gambling entertainment of all types, so you can find both the Atlantis Paradise Bahamas hotel with casino facilities and different online casinos for those who prefer a wider range of games and different bonuses. Just make sure to verify your age once you sign up to any of The Bahamas online casinos.

It’s worth noting that not all Muslim countries allow gambling. However, this can’t be said about Egypt where the government legalized gambling for tourists. They are the lottery and sports betting facilities, as well as 30 fully-licensed local casinos. Besides, you still have an opportunity to gamble online. Mainly, the legal age rules require players to be 18+, though some operators have stricter restrictions and accept only 21+ players. You need to check it when opening an online account.

When visiting Singapore, gamblers can also have fun here. The popular land-based casinos are Marina Bay Sands and Resort World Santosa (RWS). Online casino games are just as popular here. And according to the Ministry of Home Affairs enforced the Remote Gambling Act of 2015, there are a range of rules regulating the industry. One of them is the legal age, so you need to be 21+ to gamble here.

Another location with a well-developed iGaming industry is South Korea. Here, there are 30 land-based casinos and horse racing tracks, not to mention numerous online gambling venues for South Korean players to enjoy international online casinos and games of all types focused on Asian players. The legal age here is quite standard and stands at 18+.

We’ve done our best to highlight the legal age of most countries here at BetSquare, but it’s highly recommended to double-check them at the moment of getting registered, depositing, or playing for real money. When you want to find out whether you can gamble in your country, here are several tips to do this:

1. First, you can check the laws of your jurisdiction in general and find the paragraph connected with gambling
2. Besides, you always see the warning displayed regarding your country, be it a registration form or the footer
3. You can also read your casino’s terms as this information is usually displayed next to the data connected with the operator’s licensed and owner
4. If you still don’t find the answer, you can contact the online casino’s manager to find out the details

Be attentive to these rules since it’s serious and each operator, sooner or later, requires verification of your profile. If you are involved in underage gambling, your account is blocked and all the funds, including deposits and winnings, are frozen.

In some cases, it’s required at once, and in others, you do this before processing a withdrawal. To verify your age, you send an online copy of your ID and when the administrator checks this and your age is accepted, you can effortlessly withdraw large amounts.

Today, you can access legal gambling in many countries, including giants in the gambling industry like the US, the UK, Australia, and Europe. Of course, each of these countries has certain laws, including the ones connected with the age of players. And when both operators and players follow these rules, gambling is both responsible and safe.

At any rate, you need to be at least 18, but keep in mind that some countries require this age to be above 21. Check these details in your casino’s T&Cs and your experience will be safe and comfortable!

How do I find the legal gambling age in my country?

First of all, you can read the laws of your country in general. However, when you find it too complicated, you can rely on the casino’s terms instead. In most cases, your location is revealed automatically and you are informed about the legal age there.

How old do you have to be to gamble in different countries?

The age for gambling varies in different countries and the laws change from time to time. For now, you need to be at least 21 in the US and 18 in a range of other countries, including the UK, Australia, and Europe.

Are there other legal restrictions for gamblers in certain countries?

Yes, you may find different restrictions depending on the county where you play. For example, Australia doesn’t work with many providers available in other countries, so you need to keep it in mind when getting bonuses.

Where in the world can you gamble at 18?

These are nearly all countries, including most European territories, the UK, and Australia.

Can you gamble at 16?

In most cases, you can’t, especially when it comes to online gambling. Though some countries allow lotteries when you are 16.

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