Gambling Age Guide by Country (2025): Legal Gambling Ages Around the World

Why Gambling Age Matters in 2025

Gambling age restrictions exist primarily to promote responsible gaming and protect minors from harm. As more governments crack down on underage gambling and strengthen KYC (Know Your Customer) laws, players must ensure they’re meeting legal requirements in their respective jurisdictions.

Moreover, with the surge in offshore gambling sites, players often assume age rules are relaxed. But even casinos without a Swedish license—such as those licensed in Curacao or Malta (MGA)—still enforce strict age verification processes. Ignoring the legal age can lead to confiscated winnings, banned accounts, and even criminal liability.

What Is the Legal Gambling Age? General Overview

There is no universal gambling age. However, most countries set the minimum age to gamble between 18 and 21.

• 18 is the most common minimum age, particularly for online gambling.
• 21 is more common in parts of the United States and some Asian regions.

Some countries distinguish between:

• Casino entry age (just visiting)
• Legal gambling age (actively placing bets)

Always verify what the law specifies—especially if you’re playing online without Swedish regulation.

Gambling Age by Region: A Quick Comparison Table

Curious about the legal gambling age across different parts of the world? This quick comparison table gives you an at-a-glance overview of both land-based and online casino age requirements in key regions. Whether you’re planning to play locally or explore casinos without a Swedish license, knowing the minimum age by country is essential to stay compliant in 2025.

Moreover, the GREF, which stands for Gaming Regulators European Forum, is an authority that oversees iGaming activities across Europe. The organization ensures casinos implement the best and most secure gambling practices.

Where Can You Gamble at 18? Top Countries for Young Adults

If you’re 18 and eager to explore gambling legally, many countries welcome you—especially in Europe and among offshore-licensed online casinos. These include:

• UK and Ireland – Full access to online and land-based gambling.
• Sweden – Online gambling at 18 (land-based requires 20).
• Germany and Netherlands – Strict licensing but 18+ is permitted.
• Malta & Curacao – 18+ online casinos dominate the non-EU market.
• Australia and Canada (most provinces) – 18 or 19 depending on region.

Online casinos targeting international markets—especially those without Swedish license—tend to default to 18+ minimum age, though they require verification.

Where Is the Legal Gambling Age 21 or Higher?

Some countries maintain a higher gambling age, either for cultural, religious, or regulatory reasons:

• United States – Varies by state; most states require players to be 21 for land-based casinos. Online gambling is also 21+ in many legalized states.
• Japan – Legal gambling age is 20 due to national law.
• Certain tribal or cruise ship casinos – May enforce their own 21+ age policy.

This higher limit often applies to both online and physical casinos, making them less accessible to younger adults to protect them from payments that spirals out of control.

Gambling Online vs. Land-Based: Does the Age Differ?

Yes, the gambling age can differ between online and land-based casinos. For example:

• In Sweden, the land-based gambling age is 20, but online it’s 18.
• In some US states, land-based may allow 18, while online gambling is restricted to 21+.

Online casinos—especially those based in Curacao or Malta—commonly use 18+ as their default age. These platforms, however, must comply with anti-fraud laws and require ID verification before allowing withdrawals.

Land-based venues often use visual ID checks at the entrance, whereas online platforms perform digital KYC using passports, ID cards, or BankID in Sweden.

Gambling Age and Casinos Without a Swedish License

For Swedish players considering casinos without a Swedish license, it’s essential to understand age requirements:

• Minimum age is 18 across almost all Curacao, and MGA-licensed platforms. Both for soccer betting and casino.
• These platforms still enforce KYC rules to verify your age and identity.
• Casinos like those in Curacao may appear more relaxed but still hold regulatory obligations.

Most unlicensed casinos accept 18+ players and are attractive due to:

• Higher bonuses
• Faster registration
• No Spelpaus integration

✅ Still, players under 18 will be denied access and risk ban if detected.

Find out more about: Casino Bonuses

Legal Consequences of Underage Gambling

Whether you’re playing online or offline, underage gambling is illegal. Consequences include:

• Account termination and confiscated winnings
• Permanent bans on gambling sites
• Legal charges or fines in some jurisdictions
• Ineligibility to create future accounts—even once of legal age

For casinos, failing to enforce age restrictions can result in heavy fines or loss of license.

This is why even offshore casinos without a Swedish license implement strict KYC onboarding and regularly audit player ages.

Gambling in the Middle East – The Forbidden Pleasure

Both land-based and online casinos are illegal in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. However, the UAE has published laws and rules for legal gambling and online casino licenses. For example, the GCGRA is a UAE regulatory framework that has issued a lottery license.

Did you know the UAE will launch its first land-based casino in Ras Al Khaimah in 2027?

Besides, some Middle Eastern countries lie in the gray area. For instance, the national lottery is legal in Egypt, but the government prohibits all forms of gambling since it is a Muslim country. On the other hand, Lebanon has allowed gambling in land-based casinos.The country’s most popular platform is Casino Du Liban. The legal age to play in this casino is 21 years. There has been a significant surge in online casinos in Lebanon, attracting players to play online slots, table games, and live casino games. Most platforms operating online in Lebanon are licensed on Malta or Curacao.

FAQs – Gambling Age Around the World

Can you gamble at 18 anywhere?
Yes. Many countries such as the UK, Curacao, Malta and Estonian casinos allow gambling from age 18.

What happens if you lie about your age?
Accounts may be suspended, winnings forfeited, and access denied permanently.

Do online casinos check your age?
Absolutely. All licensed platforms require ID verification to comply with international law.

Is the gambling age always the same for land-based and online casinos?
Not always. Some countries allow 18+ online but enforce higher age limits in physical venues.

Which countries have the lowest gambling age?
Technically, 18 is the lowest legal age among regulated markets. No major market allows gambling under 18.

Final Thoughts: Know the Law Before You Bet

The legal gambling age varies widely across the globe, ranging from 18 to 21 depending on country and casino type. For those exploring online casinos without a Swedish license, the typical requirement is 18+—but proper ID verification is still enforced.

Staying informed about gambling age laws not only protects your rights but also ensures you enjoy a safe and compliant gaming experience. Whether you’re new to gambling or switching to international platforms, know your legal standing before you play. 🎯 Ready to explore top-rated casinos for 18+ players? Check out our handpicked list of licensed offshore casinos that welcome Swedish players today!