What are the age rules for gambling?

Before discussing age rules for gambling, it helps to define what is meant by gambling. A basic working definition for gambling is that it has to contain three elements: some kind of consideration or cost, such as money, that must offered in order to play; an element of chance, and some kind of prize. When it come to online games, there are situations that don't fit this definition, situations that fit this situation that don't involve money, and situations that fit all three criteria and that have money involved. Whether age limits would apply would depend on the situation.

Online casino games that don't involve gambling
By this definition, playing a casino-related card game like poker would not be considered gambling if there were no prize and no consideration that has to be offered in order to play, so simply visiting a site and playing roulette, poker, slot machines, or any other online would not be considered gambling.

If the web site does not require any kind of registration, than anyone of any age can visit the site. In the US, if registration is required, but no money or other financial information is required, there may be some age-based requirement. For example, in the US, the federal Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires parental consent for the online collection of information about users under 13. In spite of this requirement, the typical web site has no way to verify the age of a user, so anyone of any age can use a free web site the requires registration.

Online sites that involve gambling but don't charge for the service
There are many 'play for free sites' that allow users to have a simulated gambling experience by the use of free credits or points that a user must spend in order to participate in these simulated casino experiences. In the US, a site like this could have players of any age. As is the case with any web site in the US, if the site allows users under the age of 13 to register, they must comply with COPPA.

Online sites that involve gambling and charge for the serviceIn this situation, the effective minimum age is usually 18. For sites like this, a player must have a credit card, debit, card, PayPal account, or some other kind of online payment system. While it is possible for someone under the age of 18 to have a credit card, debit, card, or PayPal account, the typical child doesn't have those financial options available.

Depending on the country where the web site is located, they may have a minimum age that is typically the same as the voting age in that country. In most cases, that would be 18.

Offline gambling
In the US, the typical minimum age for state sponsored gambling is 18. If the gambling involves going into a casino, the minimum age is typically 21, which is the minimum drinking age across the country. Outside the US, rules vary, with live casinos basically having a minimum age equal to the drinking age in that country.

Below is a list of minimum ages for live casino gambling in various countries.

Aruba: No one under 18 years old is allowed in casinos.

The Bahamas: Players must be at least 18.

Belgium: Casinos are technically "private clubs," limited to "members" at least 21 years old.

Bulgaria: Open to anyone over 18 years old.

Canada: Varies by province, but typically 18 or 19 years old.

Denmark: Casino guests must be at least 18 years old.

Finland: 18 years old.

France: 18 years old.

Germany: State governments set their own age limits, with minimum from 21 to 18 years old.

Great Britain: Casinos are technically membership clubs and no one under 18 may join.

Greece: Individuals must be at least 23 years old to enter a casino.

Australia: Varies by region with 18 years old being typical for any type gaming and betting, except in sweepstakes type games where the minimum age may be as low as 16.

New Zealand: No one under 20 years old may enter the gaming area of a casino.

Portugal: Casinos are open to foreigner over 18 years old, but Portuguese nationals are barred unless they are over 21 and in some casinos over 25.

Spain: 18 years old.

United States: Varies by state and type of game, with 21 being the minimum age to enter a casino and from 18 to 21 for other kinds of games. A few states, Utah, Tennessee, and Hawaii, do not allow commercial gambling.