Almost every major country in the Western world will have its own fabulous gambling hub – from Vegas to Macau and aboard high-seas cruise ships. But what about minimum ages? Not every country has the same age requirements as the UK, so it’s important to understand the different laws, depending on your travel destination.
Why Do Legal Age Requirements Matter?
Age limits are designed to help minimise the risk of gambling addiction and to ensure that anyone gambling is mature enough to understand the risks. If you break the law while on holiday abroad, the consequences can be serious – ranging from fines to bans from venues globally and even deportation.
Avoiding Risk at All Costs
Regardless of whether you are of legal age in your home country, you must comply with the laws of your destination. In some countries like Singapore or Macau, underage individuals are not permitted to enter a casino or even loiter near slot machines. Most international casinos require you to produce a photo ID and/or your passport upon entry. If you are not of legal age, you will be denied access.
Gambling on the High Seas – Different Stakes
Gambling at sea comes with its own set of laws – literally! Unlike land-based casinos, all cruise ship gaming is covered by maritime law. This means the age requirements will change depending on the country where the ship is registered. For the most part, cruise ships follow the law of their “flag state” – think Bahamas, Netherlands or the USA – but some set their own policy, typically falling within the 18-21 age range.
However, cruise ship casinos do not operate 24 hours a day like many of their land counterparts. When a ship is anchored or docked within 12 nautical miles of a country’s coastline, the casino must comply with the gambling laws of that country. This means that if you are sailing into a port like Singapore or the USA, expect the casino to go dark until it is back in international waters.
Las Vegas and the United States of America
The USA has some of the highest age minimums when it comes to gambling. You must be 21 to have a flutter on any of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip casinos or the legendary Atlantic City boardwalk. However, some states differ when it comes to casino age limits.
States with 18+ Access:
- California (varies by casino)
- Georgia (cruises only)
- Idaho
- Michigan (varies by casino)
- Montana
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota (only at Indian casinos)
- Washington State
Other forms of gambling, such as horse racing, bingo and lotteries, can have different age requirements depending on the state. So, do your homework before travelling!
Macau – aka “The Vegas of the East”
The tiny island of Macau, across the Pearl River delta from Hong Kong, has become the largest casino destination globally, rivalling Las Vegas itself. With its rich history as a Portuguese province, it was returned to the Chinese in 1999 and remains a hotspot for international gamblers.
Here, you will find iconic casino chains like Bellagio, Wynn, The Venetian and MGM China offering the usual poker, baccarat and Blackjack, plus local favourites with ancient ties to Asia like Sic Bo, Fan Tan and Pai Gow.
In Macau, the legal age to gamble is 21 years old without exception, and your passport will be required upon entry. Interestingly, it’s the only place in China where gambling is legal, so it is popular with both tourists and locals.
Gambling in Asia
Several countries in Asia have thriving gambling cultures, particularly Singapore where almost half of adults reported gambling regularly. In 2010, the Marina Bay Sands and Sentosa Island Casinos opened as Integrated Resorts (aka IR’s) – the only legal casinos in Singapore.
Online casinos are strictly prohibited in Singapore, with fines of up to $10,000 or 6 months in jail for those caught playing, so it’s definitely a good idea to stick to the rules while visiting.
United Kingdom
Prior to 1960, gambling was largely unregulated. Public betting was allowed on horse racing and street games, with few age restrictions.
After the 1960 Gaming and Betting Act, the UK saw a huge rise in legalised high-street betting shops, fruit machines in pubs and private casinos. In 1994, the very first National Lottery – including scratch cards – was introduced but restricted to persons over the age of 18.
Today, online casinos in the country generate more than £6 billion annually in gross gaming yield (GGY) thanks to their accessibility and ease of use.
Meanwhile, no minimum deposit casinos offer UK residents 18 years and over a low-risk way to explore gambling. Upon signing up, payers receive a bonus – usually in the form of free spins or funds – without needing to deposit money, though age-verification is required.
Final Thoughts
Travelling the globe to experience casinos is a fun and exciting way to explore new cultures, meet new people and – hopefully – win big. Just be sure to check all the relevant gambling laws before you go, and you will enjoy a safe, drama-free holiday.