Just as drinking alcohol has a legal age, so does gambling. Moreover, it differs from country to country, although 18 seems to be the most common age worldwide. Some countries are more open to gambling, such as Germany, Spain and the UK. The three countries are Europe’s biggest markets for online and traditional casinos. Gambling is accepted in many other European nations like Ireland, Scandinavia and Serbia, and Croatia. The Czech Republic and Russia are mostly anti-gambling, and there are no casinos there. Online casinos and bookmakers are available in such counties, although they are unregulated in the territories. The legal age for gambling in most European countries is 18 years. Exceptions include Ireland, Belgium, and Germany, where the legal gambling age is 21 years old. In Greece, it goes up to 23 years old, and in Portugal, it is even higher at 25 years old. Many such restrictions are for locals, so visiting Portugal as a Canadian citizen, you only need to be 18 years old.
The USA
The gambling age in the USA depends on the individual state. You need to be at least 21 years old in most US states. Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, and Wyoming allow real money gambling at 18 years old. Atlantic City and Las Vegas have the highest concentration of casinos; however, gambling isn’t only available in the two states.
The UK
The UK accepts most gambling types, from horse racing to greyhound racing, sports betting and online casinos. Punters have an abundance of wagering options and betting possibilities. The legal gambling age is 18, and it applies to land casinos, racetracks, betting outlets, bingo, and online sports betting and casinos. The National UK Lottery and the football pools are exceptions as they are legal at 16. Gaming machines like slots and other low-stakes gambling games you can see in entertainment centres and arcades do not have a minimum age, and anyone can play them.
Egypt
Egypt is an unlikely candidate for a gambling Mecca; however, the country has a rich gambling history dating back thousands of years. However, Muslims are forbidden from gambling since the Qur’an prohibits it. Nevertheless, it is permitted for tourists and visitors and legalized by the Egyptian government. The only gambling options open to locals in Egypt are lotteries and sports betting. There are around thirty casinos licensed in Egypt, and visitors have to show proof of age and identity before stepping inside an Egyptian casino. The currency casinos use the US dollar, and they refuse the official currency of Egypt, The Pound. The legal gambling age is 18, although a few casinos there insist on 21.
Japan
Gambling in Japan is illegal, and if you are caught, you can get into a lot of trouble with the law. The Japanese Mafia; The Yakuza crime syndicate, operates a handful of underground casinos in Japan, plus some illegal mobile casinos. You should walk away if you stumble upon such an establishment. All other forms of gambling are legal in Japan. You can bet on horses, judo, baseball, motor racing, powerboat racing and sports. Japan has many ‘pachinkos,’ which are Japanese pinball games lasting hours and providing entertainment to locals and travellers alike. The legal gambling age is 20 years old. Anyone under 20 is forbidden from taking part in gambling except playing pachinko.
Macau
Macau is another world-renowned hotspot for gambling. Many casinos attract some of the best players globally, with the casinos providing tourism. The Macau Palace Casino and Hotel Lisboa Casino are two popular casinos that have no entry fee. Anyone can access the Macau casinos; however, like Monte Carlo, you should dress appropriately. Men should wear smart attire, and women have to wear formal dresses. Residents of Macau must be 21 years old before visiting a casino. Tourists can enter and gamble from the age of 18. You must use the correct currency and can exchange your money into Hong Kong Dollars and Macau Patacas at banks or the casino. Once you gain entry to a casino, you will likely find all of your favourite games, like roulette, blackjack, and poker, and there are local games such as Chinese fan-tan.
Singapore
Singapore only has two casinos; the Marina Bay Sands and Resort World Santosa. You can enjoy a luxurious casino experience, unlike anything in the West. The Marina Bay Sands is a vast complex with over 500 table games, while the RWS is the complete resort. There are plenty of other attractions in Singapore to keep you entertained. The legal gambling age is 21 years old for both locals and tourists. Anyone under 21 cannot enter the casino gambling area; however, they can use the casino facilities as they offer more than gambling. The Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs has been enforcing the Remote Gambling Act since 2015. It is illegal to provide unlicensed gambling, and the law makes it a criminal offence for residents to gamble at unauthorized gaming operators online. That essentially means that unlicensed online websites that provide advertising, facilitate or promote remote gambling services have been blocked by the government and banking transactions to and from unlicensed gaming activities.
Australia
The Australian gambling scenario is diverse. No matter what game, there is something for everyone in Australia, from horse betting to playing blackjack at a casino. Over 80% of Australian adults gamble, so it is undoubtedly a lucrative market. You have to be 18 years old to gamble in Australia. Each state is responsible for its gambling laws: however, the legal age for gambling is the same everywhere. It is an offence to break gambling laws, and any establishment allowing people to gamble under 18 can face license suspension and hefty fines. In terms of online gambling, there are many online gambling options in Australia.
Across the states, there are sports betting and lotteries perfectly legal, with each territory in charge of regulations. Online casinos follow the same fundamental laws that all players have to be over 18. Operators can request players to provide proof of age. However, the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 made it clear offshore online casinos are no longer allowed to service the Australian gambling market. Offshore casinos that accept Australian players are doing so illegally and face the risk of prosecution; however, Australian players will avoid punishment.