Age To Sports Bet
The novel coronavirus has changed the way people do things, and gambling is no different. In the age of COVID-19, the NFL is still gearing up for its championship game, but there are new obstacles for people who want to place a bet on the Big Game.
In the United States, the minimum age requirement for sports betting varies by state with the standard between 18 or 21. Online sportsbooks tend to be more flexible with their minimum age requirement by allowing bettors who are 18 to legally participate in their sports offerings.
California Sports Betting And Gambling Laws. California sports betting and gambling laws are fairly clear. The state’s ban on sports wagering is defined in § 337a of the California Penal Code (Part 1, Title 9, Chapter 10. Betting ages fluctuate between age 18 and age 21, though the majority of them are 21 years old in the states. But at the same time, sports betting sites will have their. The basic gambling age to buy lottery tickets is usually considered to be the legal age to bet on sports. We went to each of the state websites to get this information, so it should be up to date as long as their websites are correct. BetOnline is available to US residents in all 50 states, and only requires bettors to be 18 years old to sign up. There are lots of adverts during sporting events that encourage players to get involved and bet on their favorite teams. The minimum legal gambling age in the UK is 18 years old. This applies to most gambling activities including casinos, racetracks, betting shops, bingo halls, and online gambling.
Though previously illegal, sports betting is now a major New Jersey industry since the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to allow the practice. With many casinos closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, online gambling has seen a massive surge. For this reason, it’s fair to say that an unprecedented number of sports bets will be placed online for the Big Game.
Online Sports Betting Is Accessible
Casino closures and restrictions have kept a lot of people at home. Logging into a sports betting website is as easy as logging into your Facebook account. Finding an online sports betting site is simple, and there are a ton of options available.
Many sports betting websites are becoming publicly traded companies. Financial backing has been on the rise since 2019 as well. Between 2017 and 2018, investments in online betting and online sports grew from $490 million to a whopping $4.5 billion.
Online sports betting accessibility can be seen as a blessing and a curse. For people who need a release from the pandemic’s constant stress and uncertainty, gambling can be a fun way to blow off some steam. However, people with a gambling problem may find it difficult to “walk away” when placing bets from home.
The Big Game is Uncertain — Which Complicates Bets
Just like the rest of the world, NFL players are coping with a pandemic. Throughout the 2020 season, players have had to sit out games unexpectedly, and other players would join the roster. This has made it difficult to handicap NFL games and determine odds. Scheduling has become similarly unpredictable as teams have had to quarantine and postpone games unexpectedly.
COVID-19 Anxieties Play a Role in How People Bet
The pandemic has created a climate of anxiety, and many people are struggling to cope. For some, gambling can be an escape from mental health struggles. Experts have hypothesized that the increased time spent at home may have people spending more of their time online and may put problem gamblers at risk for placing high-risk bets and facing unprecedented losses. The popularity of the Big Game may exasperate anxieties and encourage more pervasive betting behaviors in hopes of winning big.
Gambling provides a rush of dopamine, and many people are craving that now more than ever. In April, the National Council on Problem Gambling issued a warning to people with gambling problems and suggested that there may be a greater risk to both an individual’s health and personal funds.
If you or a loved one struggles with the pandemic and a related sports betting problem, you have options. For support, treatment, and hope, call our 24/7 helpline at 800-GAMBLER. Thousands of NJ residents have been in your shoes and can empathize with your specific stressors. Our compassionate team of helpline respondents will connect you with resources near you for ongoing support.
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Want to get started betting on sports at a safe, licensed, and regulated sportsbook, but don’t know what the age requirements are? We’ve got you covered, regardless of what state you call home.
Reading through the micro-sized font on your sportsbook can be annoying and full of complicated legal jargon, but this guide keeps things simple. So, how old do you have to be to bet on sports in the United States?
Sports Betting Age Requirements by State
The age restriction for using an online sportsbook in the United States corresponds to state-imposed age restrictions for how old bettors have to be to gamble at brick and mortar casinos. This varies from state to state.
So, if you’re old enough to enter a brick and mortar casino in your state, you’re old enough to start using an online sportsbook.
You’re also allowed to bet on sports if you’re 18 or older when you’re visiting these states. There is no law stating that you have to be a resident to enjoy their lower age restrictions.
How Do Sportsbooks Verify Your Age?
To protect themselves from legal action, sportsbooks need to ensure that bettors are of legal age.
As such, they may ask you to verify your age.
To prove your age, you might be asked to provide the following:
- A photograph of your passport
- A photograph of your driver’s license
- A photograph of your state issued identification card
If you are of legal age, you’ll have no problem placing bets at your sportsbook. As a general rule, sportsbooks will verify your identity very quickly, and you’ll be able to start betting in no time.
Without verifying your identity, you will likely have significant difficulties depositing and withdrawing from your sportsbook.
Why Do Sportsbooks Have A Legal Requirement?
Sportsbooks place age restrictions on their customers because they are legally required to. If they didn’t, they’d be liable to be criminally charged and put out of business.
Sportsbooks are required to abide by the gambling laws in the countries that they provide services to. This is because sportsbooks are legitimate businesses subject to a wide range of regulations.
No matter what country or state you inhabit, there will be a law that states you must be of a certain age to have the capacity to gamble on sports. These laws were created to prevent businesses from taking advantage of minors.
If you need a comparable example, think of your neighborhood bar. In the United States, every single establishment that serves alcohol is bound by a law that states you must be 21 years or older to legally purchase alcohol.
This law was created to protect minors from the harms of alcohol abuse. Lawmakers decided that once adults reach the age of 21, they’re able to consent to potential damages that can be caused by drinking alcohol.
Gambling law was created to prevent minors from being exposed to the potential financial harms of gambling at too young of an age.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Use A Sportsbook at a Las Vegas Casino?
You must be 21, the same age as you have to be to use an online sportsbook in the state of Nevada.
Why Are There Different Restrictions for the Different States?
In the United States, gambling is legal under federal law. However, each state is entirely free to regulate gambling and the legal gambling age according to the wishes of their independent lawmakers.
There are four states where bettors can start betting on sports online at the age of 18, while in the remaining states bettors are required to be 21 or older:
| Sports Betting Allowed at 18 | Sports Betting Allowed at 21 |
|---|---|
| Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, Wyoming | Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tenessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia |
Age To Sports Bet - News
Start Betting on Sports Today!
Now that you know how old you have to be to start betting on sports, get familiar with the fundamentals of our Betting 101 guide.
Even better, learn more about the best bonuses available at online sportsbooks with our helpful guide.