Sports betting has been available in the US for decades. Las Vegas has featured legal sportsbooks since 1949. Offshore betting sites have been serving Americans since the mid-1990s.
Can you legally enjoy sports wagering, though, if you’re only 18 years old? The following guide answers this question while also discussing the standard legal betting age in many states.
Most States Require You to Be 21+ for Sports Betting
The vast majority of states with legal sports gambling have set a minimum age of 21 years old. They require you to be at least 21 or older to place bets at land-based and online sportsbooks.
The majority of jurisdictions, though, treat sports wagering like casino gaming. The latter is usually only available to gamblers who are 21+ as well.
Why Do So Many States Require Bettors to Be 21?
Gambling has been a taboo subject throughout American history. It’s considered a vice to many, which is why it has needed so much time to gain traction.
Only in recent years have states softened on popular forms of gambling, such as casinos and sportsbooks. Sports betting was actually banned on a federal level until 2018, when the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was repealed.
Every state now has the right to decide if they want regulated sports gambling. Nevertheless, this matter still remains a touchy subject. Each state that considers sports betting has lawmakers for and against the matter.
The age requirement is one of the most contentious issues. As a result, many sides agree that the legal sports gambling age should be higher at 21.
These same bookmakers don’t want to let 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds in, only to police them at the bar. They can cut out these headaches by only allowing 21-year-olds into their establishments.
Some States Do Offer Legal Sports Betting to 18-Year-Olds
If you’re wondering about the minimum sports wagering age, then you’re safe to assume that it will be 21+. However, one state has gone off the beaten path.
Its lower sports gambling age goes along with other unique rules. The Cowboy State is the first to approve cryptocurrency deposits for mobile sportsbooks.
Some states, including California, allow 18-year-olds to gamble at tribal casinos. As a result, 18-year-old Californians may legally be able to bet at offshore sportsbooks.
What to Do If Your State Doesn’t Allow 18+ Betting
Odds are that you don’t live near Wyoming. In this case, I certainly don’t recommend breaking the law just to place sports wagers.
However, you can consider different options when looking to gamble on sports. Here are some routes you could take to potentially place wagers.
Look to a Neighboring State
You don’t have to live in a specific state just to make sports bets there. Instead, you merely need to be within their boundaries.
California is potentially another option. Again, it allows 18-year-olds to gamble at tribal casinos where permitted.
However, the Golden State hasn’t provided a concrete stance on sports betting. This is exactly the reason why many offshore betting sites continue to serve it.
Wait Until You’re Old Enough to Bet
Every sportsbook has means for identifying your age. Land-based bookmakers can ask for your ID if they’re unsure how old you are.
Online sportsbooks require you to enter your age during registration. They can also request that you send a photocopied ID and utility bill for further identification. Even offshore sportsbooks, which aren’t regulated, want you to follow the rules of your respective jurisdiction. If you’re an underage gambler where you live, then they don’t want your action.
That said, you’ll have a difficult time placing bets as an underager anywhere. If you can’t make it to another state where 18+ wagering is legal, then you’re better off waiting until reaching the appropriate age.
Practice Paper Betting
Assuming you absolutely can’t wait to place bets until you’re legally old enough, then you have two options:
- Making illegal wagers
- Paper betting
The first option isn’t such a great idea. While you’re highly unlikely to face jail time when arrested for underage betting, you’ll almost assuredly face a fine if caught.
Paper wagering is not only entertaining but also a nice way to improve before risking real money. You might consider learning sports betting strategy on the side so that you’re a skilled gambler when it comes time to risk real money.
Will More States Allow 18-Year-Olds to Bet?
Over half the states in the US already feature a regulated market.
These same states still need to decide the framework for their perspective betting markets.
Only time will tell what the states decide. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if one or more additional states offer sports gambling to 18-year-olds. This is especially true if they only allow online betting, which doesn’t involve serving alcohol.
Conclusion
Many states have opened up to the prospect of sports betting by legalizing it. Most of the same states, however, aren’t open to the idea of 18-, 19-, and 20-year-old gamblers.
You may not have any actual money riding on the line, but you’ll at least get some betting entertainment out of the matter. If you’re 21 though, let the fun begin, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
