18+ Online Casinos Explained
Gambling is fun. But there are rules that should be followed if you really want to enjoy this type of gaming experience since it involves money. Among them is the age requirement. Same with land-based casinos, online casinos require players to be of legal age to enter. Feigning your age could get you in trouble, and that would mean a negative gambling experience overall. In the United States, certain laws have demanded the minimum legal gambling age to be 21. Although this is still applicable now in most states, the laws have somehow shifted with the times. And this is a good thing if you are 18 years old and eager to have your first online gambling experience.
Top 18+ Online Casinos
What Is The Minimum Age For Online Gambling In 2023?
The gambling age limit is set by the laws, and the same age requirement is being followed in both brick-and-mortar and online casinos. If you are denied entry to a physical casino in your area because you are below 21, then it’s almost certain that you won’t be allowed to play online either. The thing is, the laws were made to regulate any type of gambling, so you better know the rules in your location before jumping at the chance to have fun on any virtual casino.
While it may seem like it’s easy to get away with faking your age to play online, the reality is you are just setting yourself up for failure by doing this. Modern online casinos have also become stricter through the years, and they have been imposing the laws of the land diligently, if not strictly. Even though it’s easy to start playing at any online casino by just registering with an email and other personal details, problems are bound to surface later on.
The worst-case scenario when playing online without meeting the age requirement would be money loss. You may win loads of money and jackpots after an intense round of slots and table games, but you’ll soon find out that you won’t be able to enjoy your winnings once you start transacting for its transfer. Nowadays, digital casinos have this protocol wherein they would let players in and allow them to play after providing personal data. But then they would subject the players to multiple rounds of verification processes the moment they request a cashout. Failure to comply would lead to the non-releasing of funds.
Thankfully, some states have passed laws lowering their legal age requirement to 18. In these locations, you can find land-based casinos that accommodate players aged 18 and above. Online casinos operating in these states have also been allowed to welcome players below 21 but above 17. These gambling sites are referred to as 18+ online casinos, and they are an answered prayer for young adults who are craving some gambling action.
What Are The States That Allow 18+ People To Gamble?
Over the years, local lawmakers in the US have been debating about the standard legal age for gambling and drinking. For decades, the country has mostly agreed to set the age at 21. But things started to change in recent years.
Perhaps the people making the laws have come to realize the ridiculousness of the situation here. People can start driving as young as 16, and they can go to war at 18, but they aren’t allowed to engage in gambling unless they turn 21. Meanwhile, Europe allows people aged 18 to gamble since this is the age when they develop a sense of responsibility and accountability.
On the other hand, there are arguments that point to how gambling can be very addictive and lead to financial woes. These arguments are valid, especially since being 18 comes with a lot of responsibilities. Oftentimes, young adults could get overwhelmed and struggle to bounce back after seeing what the financial world is really about. At this age, people could easily blow their earnings before they could even start to grasp the importance of savings. So, adding a few years of experience makes setting the legal age at 21 fairly reasonable.
But as previously mentioned, a number of states have already opened their minds to allowing people as young as 18 to enter casinos. This comes with some caveats, however. And policies and regulations in states with lenient gambling laws for young adults vary. Just because a certain state allows 18-year-old people to legally gamble at a casino does not mean that they would be given access to all services and amenities offered by the casino. Some states only allow 18+ players to access slots, video poker, and table games, but not other gambling activities, such as horse races and sportsbooks.
Below is a list of states and locations that allow regulated casino gambling to people aged 18 and above. These places also make it possible for 18+ online casinos to operate and accept residents to their platforms.
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- Washington
Why Play At 18+ Online Casinos And Where To Find Them?
It is important that you only play at 18+ online casinos if you are 18 and over, for you to enjoy the full casino experience. These gambling sites allow players to access a wide range of games and services, including slots, roulette, video poker, table games, blackjack, specialty games, and live dealer games. If available, they will also allow players to engage in sports betting activities. Be sure that your prospective site is licensed and complies with the laws imposed by your state.
When looking for a credible 18+ online casino, always look for the option to play for free. This is the best way for you to try them out before even spending money on their services and committing to them long-term. Since we are talking about 18+ online casinos here, they are supposed to accept players 18 years old and up without hesitations. The verification process is also expected to be a breeze since they know their target market very well and won’t turn away young adults below 21.
Now that you know what 18+ online casinos are, feel free to embark on a journey with your desired brand. If you still need guidance to find an 18+ online casino that will suit your needs and accept you wholeheartedly, check out our list of the TOP 18+ Online Casinos. The list will give you insights into the most sought-after brands in this market, including the best of the best names in the industry, such as Bovada Casino, SlotoCash Casino, Ignition Casino, and Cyber Bingo.