Participation in gambling is regulated by minimum ages worldwide. This is due to the fact that when you are young, you have internalized the handling of money even less, and you have a higher willingness to take risks than adults. Read on to find out what the rules are in different countries around the world.
Gambling Online – How old are you?
Almost everyone has a tablet or smartphone at home, even some 5-year-old toddlers play with these gadgets! But we think it can be problematic when a teenager gets their first cell phone. You’ve heard or maybe even read stories about how teens create fake profiles on social media or other websites to appear older. What happens when the child registers at an online casino? This can happen even in top online casinos Malaysia, and the problem is that we can’t always protect them from doing something wrong. Especially when it comes to gambling!
Gambling All Around – What are the laws?
When it comes to gambling, there are some countries that are really open to it and have laws that legalize certain types of gambling activities. The biggest markets are of course the United Kingdom, Spain, and Germany, where gambling is legalized and regulated both online and in casinos. This also includes countries like Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, Ireland and most European countries. However, there are other countries that ban any kind of money gambling. Countries like Russia, Czech Republic and others have banned online gambling. There is a law that prohibits gambling, but no attention is paid to whether citizens gamble on foreign websites. But still – be careful and always look for licensed casinos only! In whichever country in Europe you want to play, 18 years is the minimum age. There are some exceptions like Germany, Ireland and Belgium, where the legal age for gambling is 21. Other exceptions are Greece, where the legal gambling age is 23, and in Portugal you can even gamble when you are 25! These are the two countries where the legal gambling age is above the adult age of 18 or 21. For example, if you want to gamble in Portugal, you should be at least 18 years old.
Gambling in the US is not welcomed everywhere. According to a previous research, gambling is not legal everywhere and you need to be 21 years old to play for real money. Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, and Wyoming are the states where you are allowed to play real money games if you are over 18. Although we mentioned that in a large part of America gambling is not legal, there are some types of games and bets that are allowed depending on the state you are in. There are also differences in the minimum legal age
If you want to learn a bit more about gambling laws around the world, we recommend you to take a look at our dedicated article. There we share some interesting facts that will definitely surprise you. Do you know which country has over 40 casinos? Check out what we found here!
What is the accepted gambling age worldwide?
As mentioned above, each country has its specific gambling laws and age restrictions
Gambling in the USA
When it comes to gambling in the States, it’s not just about Las Vegas. You can gamble basically almost anywhere, and the gambling age varies from 18 to 21, depending on the state. There are also states that have legalized a certain form of gambling but don’t have a specific minimum age. However, there is not much difference as the legal gambling age still starts at 18 and can go up to 21 or 23 max. There are also some interesting gambling restrictions – let’s take a look:
- If you place bets with a minor in Alabama, regardless of the fact that the minor is not gambling, you are committing a felony. Such issues need to be controlled by juvenile laws.
- Charities can conduct casino nights in Arizona.
- In Arkansas, it is prohibited for persons under 18 to be “patrons of the system of wagering conducted or supervised by Arkansas,” however, it does not say that you cannot participate in horse racing at all.
- Delaware is the state with the strongest restrictions when it comes to gambling. You must be 18 to participate in the state lottery, but you can easily buy a ticket if you are 18 and give it as a gift to a younger person. The State Lottery has VLTs as racetracks – the age limit for slot machines and in casinos is 21.
These are just a few examples of the various gambling laws in the US. Now is the time to move to Europe!
What is different in Europe?
We will do our best to be as brief as possible, as there is more detailed information in the other article we mentioned earlier. There we have created a table with the legal gambling age in each country and the favorite gambling activities. Although the legal age in most countries is 18-21, according to our study there is an increase in the percentage of problem gamblers in 2018, starting with 16-year-old gamblers. There will likely be changes and greater restrictions in 2019 – time will tell!
How about Japan
If you want to go to Japan to gamble, you better think twice. Casino gambling is illegal in the Land of the Rising Sun and you can get into big trouble. However, the Yakuza (an organized crime syndicate) operates casinos all over the country as well as some illegal mobile casinos, regardless of the law. An interesting fact is that there are other forms of gambling that are legal, and these include:
- Motorcycle racing
- Motorboat racing
- Horse racing
- Bicycle racing
This also includes pachinko games – Japanese pinball games of chance that are fun, interesting, and a favorite pastime for locals and foreigners. It is said that this industry is 30 times more profitable than Las Vegas casinos!
The Mecca of Gambling – Monte Carlo
If you ask a gambler about a destination where you can win a few extra euros and have fun, he/she will probably say either Las Vegas or Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo is like a gambler’s paradise and Casino de Monte-Carlo is the most famous casino in the world and offers an unforgettable experience. You must be 18 to play at the casino and private parlors require you to wear a black tie.
Minimum age in Muslim countries
As we have already mentioned, there are some countries that strictly prohibit gambling on the territory, and there are serious consequences for those who try to gamble illegally. These include most Muslim countries, where gambling is considered a sin and is therefore forbidden for both locals and tourists. However, there are some Muslim countries that offer legal forms of gambling such as horse racing, various bets and even casinos. Locals are not allowed to gamble, only foreigners over the age of 18.
Last but not least – Be responsible!
As we mentioned before, the gambling age is different everywhere, there are different laws that are either strict or non-existent. Either way, as a gambler you should know what to expect and follow the customs of the country you are visiting, especially in regards to gambling. A large portion of casinos worldwide are regulated and licensed by gambling commissions and there are strict security measures in place to keep you out of trouble as a customer, but self-control is very important for your health and wallet. The best casinos, strive to prevent addiction and gambling abuse and promote responsible gambling. Please, gamble responsibly! But don’t forget to have fun!
Is gambling legal in Malaysia?
This topic encompasses two areas of gambling legality – land-based casino gambling and Internet gambling. These two types of games have different authorizations and their status is not the same. Land-based gambling is legal in Malaysia, but not for Muslims. Since Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, this means that these activities are only available to non-Muslim residents and tourists.
There is only one place in Malaysia where gambling is legal. This casino is located in the Genting Highlight Resort in a huge complex located on a picturesque hill in Pahang, not far from the capital Kuala Lumpur. It is open 24/7, which means players can enjoy their favorite games at any time. Players under the age of 21 cannot participate in any event at this casino. The age limit is much higher than in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom. Although Genting Highlands Resort has the only casino in the country, there are many other smaller clubs with about 15 machines that allow Malaysian players to enjoy some games.
Since Malaysia is a Muslim country and according to Shariah law Muslims cannot gamble, entrance to casinos is possible only for non-Muslim believers. The minimum age to enter a casino is 21 years old.
Read our review of one of the best casinos: Bitstarz Casino Malaysia
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