Legal Sports Betting Age by U.S. State

There is a lot of confusion, not just about where in the United States in-person and online sports betting is legal and regulated, but about age requirements. This lack of clarity is fueled by the presence of unregulated offshore sportsbooks, which do not delineate between which U.S. states allow sports betting for those aged 18 and up, and which allow the activity for those aged 21 and up. Moreover, these illegal operators (view a list of them here) allow residents of all U.S. states to bet on sports, irrespective of in-state legality. Additional confusion is fueled by differing requirements between in-person sports betting at a physical gambling facility (i.e. land-based casino) and online sports betting by state-approved apps and websites.

The demand for clarity regarding sports betting age by state is not just motivated by legal reasons, but because of mental health concerns for teenagers and young adults, those who exhibit disproportionate vulnerabilities to problem gambling behavior. This is why Kindbridge Behavioral Health is weighing in on the matter through the publication of a resource (this page) which defines the legal age to bet on sports in the United States. While all young adults face a higher risk of problem gambling when compared against the older population (all else equal), there is a very significant difference in behavioral and emotional maturity in the age range between 18 and 21. This is driven by a "maturity gap" where cognitive capacity reaches adult levels around 16, but psychosocial maturity relating to impulse control and risk assessment continues developing past 18. This "emerging adulthood" period, typically from 18–25 for young adult males, is defined by rapid brain development and shifting life experiences. Crudely but aptly stated, an 18-, 19-, and 20-year old has a lot more catching-up to do when it comes to impulse control and risk assessment - both of which are key components to responsible gambling. This is why the majority of U.S. states have set the minimum legal sports betting age at 21, with some exceptions. Meanwhile, state regulators with an established minimum age of 18 face pressure from voters to increase the minimum age to 21. We encourage readers to bookmark this page and check back often for updates that may occur as a result of this pressure, and for updates for remaining U.S. states that may choose to legalize sports betting in the near future.