Betting Age Across the U.S. State by State — 2025 Update

You’ve probably noticed there’s no single “betting age” nationwide—states juggle laws around age thresholds, betting formats, and access. Some let 18‑year‑olds play via mobile apps, others stick to the traditional 21‑plus rule, and a few haven’t opened up at all. Here’s your no‑fluff guide to where sports betting is legal, restricted, or still off-limits in 2025.

Want the short version?

Check the table below.

✅ means legal

❌ means not legal.

Age column = minimum legal age for sports betting in that state (online or retail, whichever applies). Notes flag quirks (tribal-only, retail-only, etc.).

Fast notes before you scan

• 18+ states are rare and mostly lottery/tribal-led markets.
• Retail-only = you must place bets in person; no statewide mobile.
• Tribal-only = betting is offered by tribal casinos; statewide mobile usually not available.
• On-prem mobile = mobile works only while you’re physically at the book.

State-by-state snapshot (accurate for 2025)

State	Online	Retail	Age	Notes
Alabama	❌	❌	—	Not legal
Alaska	❌	❌	—	Not legal
Arizona	✅	✅	21	Statewide online + retail books
Arkansas	✅	✅	21	Statewide online + casino retail
California	❌	❌	—	Not legal
Colorado	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
Connecticut	✅	✅	21	Statewide online + retail
Delaware	✅	✅	21	State lottery model with online + retail
Florida	✅	✅	21	Statewide online via Seminole; retail at Seminole casinos
Georgia	❌	❌	—	Not legal
Hawaii	❌	❌	—	Not legal
Idaho	❌	❌	—	Not legal
Illinois	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
Indiana	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
Iowa	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
Kansas	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
Kentucky	✅	✅	18	Law allows 18+; some operators choose 21
Louisiana	✅	✅	21	Online/retail in authorized parishes
Maine	✅	✅	21	Tribal-controlled online; retail available
Maryland	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
Massachusetts	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
Michigan	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
Minnesota	❌	❌	—	Not legal (bills pending at times)
Mississippi	❌	✅	21	Retail only; on-prem mobile at casinos
Missouri	❌	❌	—	Not legal
Montana	❌	✅	18	Lottery kiosks + on-prem app only
Nebraska	❌	✅	21	Retail at racetrack casinos only
Nevada	✅	✅	21	Statewide mobile (in-person acct setup common) + retail
New Hampshire	✅	✅	18	Lottery-led (DraftKings); retail books available
New Jersey	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
New Mexico	❌	✅	21	Tribal-only retail sportsbooks
New York	✅	✅	21	Full mobile + retail upstate
North Carolina	✅	✅	21	Statewide mobile (2024) + retail
North Dakota	❌	✅	21	Tribal-only retail; no statewide mobile
Ohio	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
Oklahoma	❌	❌	—	Not legal
Oregon	✅	✅	21	State lottery online; tribal retail
Pennsylvania	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
Rhode Island	✅	✅	18	Lottery-led online + retail
South Carolina	❌	❌	—	Not legal
South Dakota	❌	✅	21	Retail in Deadwood only
Tennessee	✅	❌	21	Online-only statewide
Texas	❌	❌	—	Not legal
Utah	❌	❌	—	Not legal
Vermont	✅	❌	21	Online-only (no casinos)
Virginia	✅	✅	21	Statewide online + retail at casinos
Washington	❌	✅	21	Tribal-only retail; on-prem mobile
West Virginia	✅	✅	21	Full online + retail
Wisconsin	❌	✅	21	Tribal-only retail; limited on-prem mobile
Wyoming	✅	❌	18	Online-only statewide
District of Columbia*	✅	✅	18*	Lottery-run online (18+); private books 21

* DC: Age 18 for the lottery-run book; 21 at privately operated books.

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Quick FAQs (so you don’t have to Google)

Which states allow 18+ sports betting?
Kentucky (law allows 18+; some books set 21), Montana (lottery retail/on-prem), New Hampshire (lottery), Rhode Island (lottery), Wyoming (online-only), and DC’s lottery-run option.

What does “retail-only” mean?
You must place bets at a physical sportsbook location. Some states enable on-prem mobile, but only while you’re inside/near that sportsbook.

Is offshore betting legal?
No. If a site isn’t licensed in your state or DC, you’re outside the regulated market. Stick with state-authorized books.