However, there are some states where that age is set at 18. If you happen to have questions about what the legal gambling age in your state might be, you are in luck. Listed out below, we have broken down the gambling age for each of the 50 states in the U.S. You will notice that there are a lot of stipulations for 21 years of age, but there. Each state has its own responsibility for gambling laws but the legal gambling age is the same across the country. It is a criminal offense if any of these laws are broken and any establishment allowing people to gamble under the age of 18 can face severe punishment, including having their license removed. In Pennsylvania casinos, the legal gambling age is 21 years old. Many places around the world, the gambling age at casinos became 21 due to the fact that casinos sold alcohol, and Pennsylvania is no exception, adhering to this trend and keeping the gambling age at casinos within the state at the general age of majority: 21.

• Gambling Age By State
• Legal Gambling Age By State
• Casino Age Limit

California Gambling Highlights

Legal Age Online

18+

Online Casinos

Yes

Legal State Lottery

Yes

Legal Sports Betting

No

Summary of California Gambling Laws

California’s Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) covers the current state of gambling on native reservations. Below are answers to the most common questions about California betting.

Yes, gambling is legal in California. You can partake in tribal casinos, fantasy leagues, horse race betting, and state lotteries. While sports betting and online gaming are not regulated at the state level, you can play at offshore sites.

18 is the minimum age to gamble in California. However, many casinos don’t allow players under 21 years old on-site because of strict alcohol and zoning guidelines. If you are over 18, you can join offshore online sites and enter a few native gaming sites.

California does not have regulated online gambling. The state’s gaming is currently controlled by the tribes in the region, which can cause friction between the state and tribes. Fantasy leagues, poker, sports betting, and offshore casinos are available to players online.

Yes, California has land-based casinos. There are plenty of brick-and-mortar options and resorts in the region where you can visit and gamble in-person. These are all operated by the native tribes in the area, and you won’t find commercial establishments.

Yes, offshore casinos are safe for California residents. All our recommended sites have the necessary licensing to operate and have been investigated by a third party.

Yes, you need to pay taxes on gambling winnings in California. We suggest taking a look at our exclusive article on everything you need to know about gaming taxes. It includes detailed information from a certified public accountant.

Disclaimer: The information on this page does not, nor does it intend to, constitute legal advice.This page is for learning purposes and may not have the most up-to-date information year-round. Readers should contact their attorney and/or accountant to obtain advice concerning any particular legal matter. Do not take any action without first contacting a lawyer in your state.

Online Gambling in California

There are no state-regulated online casinos in California.The laws can be confusing to players as it’s not always clear what games are prohibited and allowed. However, the offshore gambling sites that OUSC recommends are available for everyone over 18 to enjoy.

Don’t get put off by the term “offshore.” We review and verify our recommendations to ensure they have the proper licensing. Therefore, offshore online casinos are an excellent option for Californian residents who wish to gamble safely online.

You can also bet on sports and play poker at our recommended casinos. It is only illegal for Californians to play online games at sites run in the US.

The Best Online Casinos for California Players

The table below has the best offshore casinos for players in California. You can trust the banking options and site security, plus the software and game selection are unmatched.

California Casinos

Native American tribes run the 65+ brick-and-mortar casinos in California. Many are enormous resorts on reservations a short drive outside of the cities.

You’ll have no problem finding your favorite game in Californian casinos. Across the massive state, you can enjoy over 70,000 slot machines and 2,000 table games.

Poker Rooms

California also has poker rooms available to those that enjoy playing games like Texas Hold’em and Five Card Draw. The scene is bustling in California, and you’ll always find a seat with over 85 poker rooms in the state. You can play live hands with real money, and might even see some professional players!

Map of California Casinos & Poker Rooms

This interactive map shows you the location of California’s land-based casinos and poker rooms.

Top California Casinos

• Total Casinos: 65+
• Poker Rooms: 85+
• Tribal Casinos: 65+

Other California Gambling Options

Casino games are fun, but you have more gambling options in California. Below we look at the other types of legal betting in the state.

Sports Betting

Sportsbooks in California must be at an offshore online casino. However, fantasy leagues like DraftKings are permitted.

State Lottery

California’s state lottery offers massive prize pools. You’ll find scratch offs, Mega Millions, Fantasy 5, Powerball, and more.

Race Betting

Dog and horse race betting is entirely legal in California. You can wager on races at tribal casinos and race tracks.

Charitable Gaming

Some organizations are allowed to host bingo games for charitable efforts after obtaining the proper permits.

California passed its first piece of gambling regulation in 1933 when betting on horses was legalized.

Following an extended period, California passed a law in 1984 to meet the rising demand for gambling establishments.

Also, in 1984, the state created the California Lottery, taking control of something that had been controversial in the Golden State since the 1800s. The new rules let individuals buy scratch cards and participate in drawings.

In 2000, the federal government allowed Native American tribes to control gambling in select states. That led to a boom in casinos in California, and ultimately the gaming industry becoming a multibillion-dollar market.

Today, California has more than 65 land-based casinos across the state that also act as entertainment resorts and hotels.

Recent Legal Updates & News

Throughout the 2000s, California is undergoing a tough legal battle regarding online gambling. Tribal casinos are fighting to retain executive control over the state’s industry and lobbying against statewide regulation.

Many experts predict that any bill about online gambling is dead in California until at least 2022. Still, the discussion is always ongoing since it would provide a substantial economic boost to the area.

Additionally, since there is no specific law prohibiting fantasy sports betting, sites like DraftKings and FanDuel are currently seizing the opportunity to establish dominance in the market.

Enjoy Gambling in California Today

There are a few legal restrictions for Californian gamblers keep in mind, but that still leaves you plenty of options to place your bets. Feel free to sign up at one of our safe and legit offshore online casinos. Create an account to place sports bets, play all your favorite games, and join internet poker tournaments!

Alternatively, at brick-and-mortar locations, you can enjoy the community, beverages, and the atmosphere. Travel to a tribal casino while you are in Cali, play at real money tables, and spin the reels on slot machines.

There’s nothing quite like the rush of playing poker for real cash, but there is always a minimum gambling age involved. It can be really embarrassing to get turned away at the door while your friends go on to have a night of fun playing their hearts (and wallets) out, so doing your homework can really pay off. There is a bit of study required, as the legal gambling age to play poker in each state varies.

At domestic venues, the US legal poker age by state is typically set to a minimum age of 21 years old, but there are some 18 and over poker rooms located across the United States, as this age restriction is not federally mandated. There are also 18+ poker sites that are available to USA players. Below, we detail the minimum gambling ages for regulated domestic poker as well as each state’s age requirements for offshore gambling for real money.

Minimum Age To Play Poker For Real Money In Each State

• Alabama – offshore 18
• Alaska – offshore 18
• Arizona – 21 poker, offshore 18
• Arkansas – offshore 18
• California – 18 poker, offshore 18
• Colorado – 21 poker, offshore 18
• Connecticut – NO POKER (Thumbs down or sad face emoji?)
• Delaware – Poker 18 – Offshore 18
• Washington, D.C. – Offshore 18
• Florida – Poker 18 – Offshore 18
• Georgia – Offshore 18
• Hawaii – Offshore 18
• Idaho – Offshore 18
• Illinois – Poker 21, Offshore 18
• Indiana – 21 poker, offshore 18
• Iowa – 21 poker, offshore 18
• Kansas – 21 poker, offshore 18
• Kentucky – offshore 18
• Louisiana – 21 poker, offshore 18
• Maine – 21 poker, offshore 18
• Maryland - 21 poker, offshore 18
• Massachusetts – poker 21, offshore 18
• Michigan – 18 poker, offshore 18
• Minnesota – 18 poker, offshore 18
• Mississippi – poker 21, offshore 18
• Missouri – 21 poker, offshore 18
• Montana – 18 poker, offshore 18
• Nebraska – offshore 18
• Nevada – poker 21, offshore 18
• New Hampshire – 18 poker, 18 offshore
• New Jersey – 21 poker, 18 offshore
• New Mexico – 21 poker, 18 offshore
• New York – 18 poker, offshore 18
• North Carolina – 21 poker, 18 offshore
• North Dakota – 21 poker, 18 offshore
• Ohio – 21 poker, 18 offshore
• Oklahoma – 18 poker, 18 offshore
• Oregon – 21 poker, 18 offshore
• Pennsylvania – 21 poker, 18 offshore
• Rhode Island – 18 poker, 18 offshore
• South Carolina – 18 offshore
• South Dakota – 18 poker, 18 offshore
• Tennessee – 18 offshore
• Texas – 21 poker, 18 offshore
• Utah – offshore 18
• Vermont – offshore 18
• Virginia – offshore 18
• Washington – 18 poker – NO OFFSHORE
• West Virginia – 21 poker, 18 offshore
• Wisconsin – 18 poker, 18 offshore
• Wyoming – 18 poker, 18 offshore

States Where 18+ Online Poker is Legal - State-Regulated

These states have specifically passed legislation allowing state-regulated poker gambling within their borders:

Gambling Age By State

• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Montana
• New Hampshire

• New York
• Oklahoma
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

With the exception of CT and WA, there are no states that legally prohibit players who are 18 years old and up from enjoying online poker games at offshore poker sites. Players in all other states are free to play real money poker as long as they are 18 and over. Here we’ve listed the industry’s leading online poker sites accepting 18+ players, as well as what their current bonus offers are.

How Are Minimum Ages To Play Poker Determined?

Each state is its own self-governed territory. They each set their own rules and regulations when it comes to poker, both online and off. One of the many considerations for every state includes setting the minimum age for poker play, which usually aligns with its minimum legal gambling age.

Federal gambling laws do not provide a minimum age to play poker for real money. Thus, it is up to each US State to determine the age at which they will allow for real money poker at their domestic rooms or at their online venues (if such are regulated and allowed for by law).

Ages for domestic poker play begin at adulthood, or 18 years old, with most states requiring a legal age minimum of 21. Some US states may offer differing minimum gambling ages depending on the poker room in question. Alcohol sales and whether or not the venue is located on tribal land are usually the determining factors.

Why Are There Different Poker Gambling Age Minimums In The Same State?

It would be nice if each state declared a legal minimum poker age requirement that would govern all facilities located under its control. Well, in fact, they do, and land-based commercial poker rooms must adhere to these regulations. So how do facilities located within the same region offer different age minimums for poker players?

Native American lands are sovereign, and the tribal leaders are allowed to operate businesses in these regions (mostly) as they see fit, including the building of exotic casino resorts. Because these lands are sovereign, the local tribal governments can set their legal minimum gambling age limits. There are scenarios across the USA where the state’s minimum poker age is set to 21 while tribal poker rooms allow poker and tournament poker play beginning at just 18 and up.

There are some instances where states allow for 18+ poker play at local gambling venues, but some facilities within that same region require gamblers to be 21 or over. This is almost always due the poker room or card room offering alcohol as one of their many services. Because 21 is the legal drinking age in the US and is set by federal law, many facilities that offer alcohol prohibit 18- through 20-year-old gamblers from entering, simply to avoid any potential operational issues. Many bars and clubs that serve alcohol restrict entry to 21+ customers for the same reason.

Developing 18+ Poker Laws

State legislatures meet annually and have the full capability to alter poker laws within their borders as they so choose, including changing minimum gambling age requirements. Federal legislative bodies also have the ability to impose laws that are enforceable across all territories that the United States governs. Changes can affect the industry positively and negatively, so additional regulation is not always a bad thing.

Legal Gambling Age By State

Offshore poker rooms most often allow 18 and over bettors to be dealt in, but we’ve seen a few that require minimum poker ages of 21 and up. Read through the terms and conditions of your chosen offshore poker gambling site before attempting to become a member.

Additionally, if your state has a minimum poker age limit of 21 and older defined in its lawbooks, you may wish to err on the side of caution and wait until you’re at least that old before signing up with an online gambling site operating offshore. We’ve never heard of any 18 and up poker players getting in trouble for playing over the Internet in such states, however.

Depending on where you are in the country, the legal minimum poker age to play for real cash at a domestic poker room can be as low as 18 years old. The most common age requirement to enter and play at a poker room is 21 years old. In some US states, there are poker rooms that have different age requirements. This is often tied to whether the establishment offers alcohol as one of its perks.

There are a few states that offer online poker through their domestic casinos, and the legal minimum poker age to play will be the same age that is required at the physical locations they’re partnered with. That legal gambling age varies by region but is typically 21 years old. For those that don’t live in one of the US states where online poker is legal, then an offshore betting site is the best option.

Online poker is typically not legal to play across state borders, but this is a state-by-state matter. There is no federal law that bars the pastime in this way. While the UIGEA law prohibits the electronic transfer of funds across state lines for unauthorized gambling purposes, states that offer domestic online poker (Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey) have agreements allowing for interstate online play.

Casino Age Limit

That said, most all states fail to address offshore poker sites in their lawbooks, allowing for legal play for 18+ gamblers online. Players that have yet to reach adulthood are advised to refrain from playing Internet or in-person poker for real money, as the penalties for playing under the legal minimum gambling age vary from hefty fines to potential jail time.