Estimated Read Time: 3 minutes

See All Guides

Want to get started betting on sports at a safe, licensed, and regulated sportsbook, but don’t know what the age requirements are? We’ve got you covered, regardless of what state you call home.

Reading through the micro-sized font on your sportsbook can be annoying and full of complicated legal jargon, but this guide keeps things simple. So, how old do you have to be to bet on sports in the United States?

In the United States, the minimum age requirement for sports betting varies by state with the standard between 18 or 21. Online sportsbooks tend to be more flexible with their minimum age requirement by allowing bettors who are 18 to legally participate in their sports offerings. In the United States, the minimum age requirement for sports betting varies by state with the standard between 18 or 21. Online sportsbooks tend to be more flexible with.

The American Gaming Association, a group which lobbies for lifting gambling restrictions, estimates up to $150 billion is wagered illegally on sports every year, with most wagers placed on NFL. Legal Age to Place Bets On Bovada Accounts? The minimum age to create an account with Bovada is 18 years old. There are some states in the US that require the minimum betting age to be 21. Anyone placing a bet on Bovada who lives in a state that requires gambling age of 21 years of age.

Sports Betting Age Requirements by State

The age restriction for using an online sportsbook in the United States corresponds to state-imposed age restrictions for how old bettors have to be to gamble at brick and mortar casinos. This varies from state to state.

So, if you’re old enough to enter a brick and mortar casino in your state, you’re old enough to start using an online sportsbook.

You’re also allowed to bet on sports if you’re 18 or older when you’re visiting these states. There is no law stating that you have to be a resident to enjoy their lower age restrictions.

How Do Sportsbooks Verify Your Age?

To protect themselves from legal action, sportsbooks need to ensure that bettors are of legal age.
As such, they may ask you to verify your age.

To prove your age, you might be asked to provide the following:

• A photograph of your passport
• A photograph of your driver’s license
• A photograph of your state issued identification card

If you are of legal age, you’ll have no problem placing bets at your sportsbook. As a general rule, sportsbooks will verify your identity very quickly, and you’ll be able to start betting in no time.

Without verifying your identity, you will likely have significant difficulties depositing and withdrawing from your sportsbook.

Why Do Sportsbooks Have A Legal Requirement?

Sportsbooks place age restrictions on their customers because they are legally required to. If they didn’t, they’d be liable to be criminally charged and put out of business.

More News For Age To Sports Bet

Sportsbooks are required to abide by the gambling laws in the countries that they provide services to. This is because sportsbooks are legitimate businesses subject to a wide range of regulations.

No matter what country or state you inhabit, there will be a law that states you must be of a certain age to have the capacity to gamble on sports. These laws were created to prevent businesses from taking advantage of minors.

If you need a comparable example, think of your neighborhood bar. In the United States, every single establishment that serves alcohol is bound by a law that states you must be 21 years or older to legally purchase alcohol.

This law was created to protect minors from the harms of alcohol abuse. Lawmakers decided that once adults reach the age of 21, they’re able to consent to potential damages that can be caused by drinking alcohol.

Gambling law was created to prevent minors from being exposed to the potential financial harms of gambling at too young of an age.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Use A Sportsbook at a Las Vegas Casino?

You must be 21, the same age as you have to be to use an online sportsbook in the state of Nevada.

Why Are There Different Restrictions for the Different States?

In the United States, gambling is legal under federal law. However, each state is entirely free to regulate gambling and the legal gambling age according to the wishes of their independent lawmakers.

There are four states where bettors can start betting on sports online at the age of 18, while in the remaining states bettors are required to be 21 or older:

Start Betting on Sports Today!

Now that you know how old you have to be to start betting on sports, get familiar with the fundamentals of our Betting 101 guide.

Even better, learn more about the best bonuses available at online sportsbooks with our helpful guide.

Interest in 18 and over sports betting has gained considerable momentum across the United States. Multiple professional sports leagues and commercial gambling investors are eyeballing the opportunities and possibilities legalized sports gambling can provide. Nevertheless, a division stands between the two interested parties on how to exactly regulate and tax sports wagering operations, which we discuss in further detail within our sports betting laws and legality resources.

Approximately twelve to fifteen million hard-core American bettors over the age of eighteen illegally wager on sports events and contests. This information becomes even more impressive considering that in 2017, it was estimated that 97% of bets on sports made in America were either illegal or placed at a licensed offshore sportsbook and only 3% were legally made through Nevada sportsbooks. Clearly, there is a desire for sports gambling

Top Rated Sportsbooks Allowing 18 Plus And Up

Legalities of Sports Gambling in the US

Sports wagering faced two periods of difficulty, once during the Great Depression were nearly all gambling in the U.S. went underground and again in the 1990s after the creation of PASPA, a US law that prevented domestic brick and mortar sports wagering operations. Recently, PASPA was thrown out by the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court, and ruled unconstitutional for violating the state’s rights to equal access and offers.

The official repeal of PASPA by SCOTUS has facilitated a new expansion of interest in sports gambling. Cash-strapped stated are eyeing the potential tax revenue legal sports wagering can provide while private interest groups are looking to seize partnership opportunities with casino chains and US states offering 18+ sports betting. Currently, several states are drafting and proposing sports betting legislation with varying restrictions concerning betting locations, methods to bet, and minimum state betting ages.

States with 18+ Access to Sports Betting

States that passed laws to allow 18+ sports betting:

States that currently allow sports betting options to those 21 years of age and over:

*New Mexico’s Tamaya tribe has recently begun offering sports gambling to those 21+ through their Class III license and gaming compact, the state has yet to consider state-operated sports betting.

States About To Launch Domestic Sports Betting Services:

States Pending Sports Betting Legislation:

In addition, Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont, Virginia, and Utah are choosing to outlaw sports wagering entirely. Regardless, young bettors within those states are can legally gamble online at licensed offshore sportsbooks as an alternative.

States That Allow For 18+ Online Sports Betting

Federal and state sports betting laws have no domain over international sportsbooks operating in regulated territories, and that is why they cannot stop offshore sports betting sites from accepting bets on sports over the Internet from 18+ American customers.

Washington and Connecticut have laws that forbid online gambling in all of its forms, but the overseas sportsbook sites that we suggest on this page accept members from those two states. Sports betting and gambling laws tend to target the providers and don’t go after individual participants, and we’ve yet to hear of anyone being prosecuting at the age of eighteen or older for betting on sports online.

Each 18-and-over online sportsbook sets its own requirements for membership, and some of them exclude certain states like New Jersey. Be sure to inspect the conditions of becoming a member at one of these sports betting sites to make sure that the state that you live in is among the allowable regions.

Online Sportsbooks For 18 And Over Bettors

Offshore online sportsbooks are legally acceptable for Americans to participate on if they are licensed and regulated by an external host not located in the United States. Certain online sportsbooks specialize in serving 18+ bettors while others exclusively cater to those 21 and over. Legitimate online sportsbooks will often be more advantageous than a physically-located domestic sportsbook by offering bonus benefits, mobile betting capabilities, high-roller rewards, more extensive betting lines, odds and wagering options, and referral programs. To learn more about the online sportsbooks listed in this guide visit our 18+ sportsbook reviews page.

Available Sports Events to Bet On Now

18+ NFL Betting

Offshore sportsbooks allow players over the age of 18 to sign up and bet on NFL games. While some state-based operations might require players to be 21+, the online sportsbooks listed in our 18+ NFL betting guide will accept players from the United States over the age of 18. New account holders can also take advantage of lucrative bonus funds, reward programs, other services including casino games and poker, and more.

18+ Betting On NFL Thanksgiving Games

There is no better tradition than eating turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and betting on NFL Thanksgiving games. With the help of online sportsbooks that cater to 18-year-olds, betting on thanksgiving games has never been easier and more convenient than right now. New accounts can take advantage of numerous bonus options, and the sites listed in our guide typically offer additional platforms, including online casinos, racebooks, and poker gambling. Just don’t fall asleep after you stuff your belly with juicy turkey meat.

18+ Betting On Super Bowl 55

Can 18-year-olds bet on the Super Bowl? Yes, they absolutely can! A major sports event like the NFL Super Bowl is a prime sporting event 18+ bettors can wager on. The Super Bowl provides a variety of betting lines and wagering options from futures, money lines, over and unders, prop bets, and novelty bets that even first-time bettors can wager for or against. 18+ Super Bowl betting may just be one of the easiest ways for casual bettors to try out their skills. Learn more about where you can bet on the Super Bowl if you are 18 and over.

Age For Sports Betting Nj

18+ College Football Betting

There is nothing like the sport of college football, and with 18 + online sportsbooks, account holders can wager on props, futures, winners, and more. 18+ Betting on college football is one of the most popular wager games of modern times, and our betting guide is here to help you navigate through the defense.

18+ MLB Betting

Betting on Major League Baseball has been popular since the game was popularized in the early 1900s; however, it wasn’t technically legal until offshore sportsbooks started accepting US bettors. In the post-PASPA era, many states have passed sports betting laws to allow residents over the legal age another opportunity to bet on the diamond sport. Our guide to betting on the MLB walks you through the steps and prepares you for a home run.

18+ Boxing Betting

Professional fighting has grown in popularity with 18+ bettors over the past decade, and with mega-fights rumored to happen in 2021, there is no better time than now to get set up and get ready to bet on professional boxing. Boxing has long been one of the most bet on sports since superstars like Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, and others stepped into the ring.

18+ NBA Betting

The NBA season is now underway and bettors can take advantage of the multiple game lines listed online. With 82 games and 30 teams, there is something for every fan of the game. Our guide to 18+ betting on NBA games takes a closer look at how game lines work, what sportsbooks are available to 18+ bettors, and how sports bettors should prepare for the betting season.

18+ NCAA Basketball Betting

18+ Betting on College basketball has never been so easy. Now that multiple states have passed domestic sports betting laws, there are multiple ways 18+ sports bettors can get in on the action and place bets on their favorites. Our guide to betting on College Basketball explores the various ways you can place a bet on regular-season games or on the March Madness tournament.

18+ UFC Betting

There is nothing more pleasing for some people than watching men and women throwing knockout blows for money. Now fans can get more involved in the action by betting on UFC matchups and events. With the help of offshore sportsbooks that accept bettors over the age of 18, there is no need to float like a butterfly or sting like a bee.

18+ Virtual Sports Betting

Virtual sports betting for 18 and up sports fans is not completely new but was made widely popular by quarantine circumstances during the Covid19 pandemic. Virtual sports have brought us an option when traditional sports have been absent for us, and it certainly has become a betting platform that is here to stay. At any given time there are multiple virtual sports to bet on, including football, basketball, soccer, horse racing, auto racing, camel racing, and more.

18+ Betting On Other Sports
In addition to football betting sports fans have plenty of other options to wager on as a number of events are underway or are about to start:

What Sports Can I Bet On?

Sportsbooks offer a wide range of sports events and categories that bettors can hand-select from. Sports categories include Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Hockey, Tennis, Soccer, FIFA World Cup, MMA, UFC, Darts, Cricket, Bicycle Racing, Horse Racing, Entertainment, E-sports, Simulated sports, NASCAR, Formula 1, Politics, and Volleyball. Online sportsbooks tend to have more niche or obscure sports to wager on than physical bookmakers.

How Do I Register To Bet On Sports?

Registration is required whether online or in-person before placing a bet on any particular sport. A brick and mortar sportsbook will often ask a bettor to first register for an account and provide a valid form of identification similar to how online sportsbooks register users. However, online bettors simply need to create an account and fund their sportsbook account balance to begin betting.

Super Bowl 2021 Preview: Odds, Predictions, Injury Reports, Start Time, How To Watch Chiefs Vs Buccaneers Game

Are There Sports Betting Apps Available To Use?

A number of sportsbook brands have created downloadable apps that allow bettors the same online betting and navigation capabilities as a PC would but for any mobile device, regardless of brand or operating system. These apps take up little storage in devices but for those wary of downloads, most sportsbooks can be played and operated through a mobile browser using WiFi. Our recommended offshore mobile sports betting portals are perfectly legal for American bettors to participate in.

What States Are Thinking About Legalizing Sports Gambling Next?

A vast majority of US states are considering sports betting legalization, most of whom have introduced bills with language which would regulate and allow the operation of sports gambling within their state borders. Of these states, Michigan, New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Indiana seem to be next in line for passing legal sports wagering while the rest may pass their bills in the following session or year.

Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina, California, Massachusetts, and Kansas must await legalization due to varying factors affecting each state and their respective legislative processing.

Can I Bet On Sports With Crypto Currencies?

Yes, a variety of sportsbooks are offering 18+ banking methods that include cryptocurrencies. With the growing popularity of cryptocurrency, applications for crypto betting and gambling have begun their integration with sportsbook brands. Physical sportsbooks have yet to begin accepting crypto, however, online sportsbooks are more than delighted to provide crypto-deposit bonuses and accept a wide range of cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dash, Bitcoin Cash and more.

Cached

What Will Happen to Fantasy Sports If Sports Wagering Becomes Legal Nationwide?

Virginia Sports Betting - VA Sportsbook Apps 2021

While fantasy sports companies have fought tooth and nail to justify their existence as legal outside of sports gambling, and if considered so, requiring more skill than the former, the legalization of sports gambling may cannibalize their business model.

Age To Bet On Sports In Illinois

Fantasy sports companies allow players to create fictional athletic teams and compete against friends; with sports wagering, fans can directly bet on the outcome of the exact games and events they watch. However, several major fantasy sports companies have thought ahead and switched gears to serve both fantasy and sports gambling fans.