US Casino Finder tracks gaming, local gambling law, and other information pertaining to gaming and gambling establishments throughout the United States. Legal gambling ages across the nation, for instance, range from 16 to 21—and can often vary within a particular state depending on the type of gambling involved, whether the casino is on an Indian reservation (and sometimes, which Indian reservation), or if liquor is served in the casino. The prevalence of smoking bans in casinos is also growing. Below you will discover this information, and more. Enjoy.
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, US Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Indian Gambling Nationwide
If bingo or dog racing is your game, you're going to love Alabama. The legal gambling age in Alabama is 19.
Pull-tab and bingo halls are very popular in Alaska. The legal gambling age in Alaska is 18.
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Most of the casinos in Arizona, The Grand Canyon State, are located around either Tucson or Phoenix, and are Indian-owned. The legal gambling age in Arizona used to be 18, but is now 21. Smoking is banned in all Arizona casinos.
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Arkansas, The Razorback State, is small, so it's only natural that it would have few gaming establishments. You will find several parimutuel venues, though. The legal gambling age in Arkansas is 18.
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California gaming includes card clubs, Indian casinos, parimutuel horse wagering, and charitable gaming such as bingo. The legal gambling age in California is 18 for parimutuel betting and some Indian casinos, and 21 otherwise. Even without high-stakes casinos, gambling in The Golden State generates $14 billion in annual revenue. Smoking is banned in all California casinos.
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Although Colorado legalized limited stakes gambling (maximum $5 bets per play/game) in 1991, parimutuel greyhound racing has been a staple in The Centennial State for decades. The legal gambling age in Colorado is 18 for parimutuel betting, and 21 in the casinos. A recent development has allowed gambling communities to vote on raising bet limits (up to $100) and to permit 24/7 operation of casinos.
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Connecticut has few casinos, but they make up for that with size—the nation's two largest casinos call Connecticut home. The legal gambling age in Connecticut is 18 for parimutuel betting and some Indian casinos, and 21 otherwise. In 2003, Connecticut banned smoking in the workplace, including restaurants and bars; casinos and private clubs are currently exempt from the ban.
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All casino gambling in Delaware takes place at the state's racinos—combination racetracks and casinos.
The legal gambling age in Delaware is 18 for parimutuel betting and 21 for casino gaming. Smoking is banned in all Delaware casinos.
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An interesting law in the District of Columbia is that a loser of a bet of $25 or more can sue the winner for full recovery of the loss, which probably explains why there are only bingo halls in DC. BTW: simply having a lottery ticket in one's possession is a jailable offense. The legal gambling age in District of Columbia is 18. Smoking is banned in all DC casinos.
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In addition to the multitude of casinos, card rooms, and both dog and horse racetracks, Florida is home port to dozens of cruise ships that operate as floating casinos. The legal gambling age in Florida is 18 for parimutuel betting, but may vary in different casinos. Smoking is banned in all Florida casinos.
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Most gambling is illegal in Georgia, but the state is host to a number of bingo halls, as well as home port to cruise ships that double as floating casinos. The legal gambling age in Georgia is 18 for the purchase of lottery tickets.
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Hawaii is one of the two states (Utah being the other) where all forms of gambling are illegal. There is no legal gambling age in Hawaii.
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Most casinos in Idaho are Indian-owned, and small (ranging in size from 5,000 to 30,000 square feet), and offer a variety of slot machines as well as 'alternative gaming' options, which include bingo, video lottery, and parimutuel race track gambling. The legal gambling age in Idaho is 18 for parimutuel betting, but for casino gaming varies depending on the casino. Smoking is banned in all Idaho casinos.
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Riverboat casinos and parimutuel racetracks dot Illinois, along with nearly 200 bingo halls. The legal gambling age in Illinois is 17 for parimutuel betting, but for casino gaming varies depending on the casino. Smoking is banned in all Illinois casinos.
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Poker is the most popular game in Hoosier State casinos, and Texas Holdem tournaments abound. The legal gambling age in Indiana is 18 for parimutuel betting and 21 for casino gaming.
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From casinos to dog and horse tracks, bingo halls, and card rooms, Iowa has something for every gambler. The legal gambling age in Iowa is 18 for parimutuel betting and either 18 or 21 for casino gaming depending on the casino.
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All the casinos in Kansas (The Jayhawk State) are Indian-owned. Kansas also hosts a number of parimutuel dog and horse race tracks. The legal gambling age in Kansas is 18 for parimutuel betting and varies for casino gaming.
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Mostly bingo halls here in the Bluegrass State. Oh, yeah, there's some horse racing, too, we hear. The legal gambling age in Kentucky is 18 for parimutuel betting.
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Louisiana—The Sportsman State—features Southern hospitality and gambling galore. The legal gambling age in Louisiana is 21 for both parimutuel betting and casino gaming.
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In addition to bingo halls, Maine is home to a racino—a combination race track and slots casino. The legal gambling age in Maine is 18 for parimutuel betting and an astonishing 16 for casino gaming. Smoking is banned in all Maine casinos.
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Bingo and parimutuel racetracks are the only form of legal gambling in Maryland. The legal gambling age in Maryland is 21 for parimutuel betting. Smoking is banned in all Maryland gaming venues.
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Bingo and parimutuel racetracks (dogs and horses) are the only form of legal gambling in Massachusetts. The legal gambling age in Massachusetts is 18 for parimutuel betting. Smoking is banned in all Massachusetts gaming venues.
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Over 300 bingo halls, card rooms, and casinos dot the state of Michigan. The legal gambling age in Michigan is 18 for parimutuel betting, and either 19 (Indian casinos) or 21 (Detroit casinos). In the 1990s, Michigan's Supreme Court decided that operating a dealer school was illegal in the state, despite the fact that most forms of gambling were quite legal. The state appears to have come to its senses since then—there are now several dealer schools in Michigan.
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Minnesota has a cornucopia of gaming venues available, including racetracks, casinos, bingo halls, and racinos. The legal gambling age in Minnesota is 18 for both parimutuel betting and casino gaming. Smoking is banned in all Minnesota gaming venues.
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Mississippi is home to nearly 40 casinos, mostly located along the Gulf, for which the devastating effects of Katrina proved to be no lasting setback. Additionally, the Magnolia State is home to numerous riverboat casinos. The legal gambling age in Mississippi is 21 for casino gaming.
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Missouri, the Show-Me State, recently repealed a law that prohibited patrons from gambling over $500 within two hours. The legal gambling age in Missouri is 18 for parimutuel betting, and 21 for casino gaming.
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The Big Sky State has nearly 200 casinos large and small, most of which are open 24 hours a day. The legal gambling age in Montana is 18 for parimutuel betting and casino gaming.
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Along with Indian-owned casinos, The Cornhusker State hosts a number of video keno bars and parimutuel horse race tracks. The legal gambling age in Nebraska is 18 for parimutuel betting and casino gaming.
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The Silver State is the undisputed Gambling Capital of the World. Virtually every town in Nevada has at least one casino, with Las Vegas, Reno, and Laughlin boasting a few more than one. The legal gambling age in Nevada for all forms of gambling (and drinking) is 21. Interesting note: In Nevada, it's illegal to use cellphones in a sports book to prevent communicating point spreads posted on the board.
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Parimutuel dog and horse racetracks, and several card rooms compete with few bingo halls for The Granite State's gambling dollar. The legal gambling age in New Hampshire is 21 for parimutuel betting and the card rooms. Smoking is banned in all New Hampshire gaming venues.
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All casino gambling in The Garden State is restricted to casino resorts in Atlantic City, a short bus ride from New York City. The legal gambling age in New Jersey is 18 for parimutuel betting, and 21 for casino gaming.
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The Land of Enchantment, New Mexico boasts a surprisingly wide range of gaming venues, from resort casinos (most of which are Indian-owned) and card rooms to parimutuel horse and dog racetracks. The legal gambling age in New Mexico is 21, although at some parimutuel venues it is 18.
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With casino gambling sprinkled throughout The Empire State and Off-Track Betting (OTB) in the city, New York offers gamblers ample opportunity to win. The legal gambling age in New York is 18, except at the Seneca casinos, where it is 21.
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While one can find video poker machines in convenience stores throughout North Carolina, the payouts are in merchandise, not cash. For cash prizes, you'll need to visit the Tar Heel State's only casino. The legal gambling age in North Carolina is 21 for both parimutuel betting and casino gaming.
North Carolina Gaming Laws (there is no official gaming commission in North Carolina)
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Since the first tribal gaming casino opened in North Dakota to the public in 1992, numerous gaming and recreation centers have sprouted throughout The Sioux State, offering a wide range of gambling options. The legal gambling age in North Dakota is 18 or 21 for parimutuel betting depending on the venue, and 21 for casino gaming. Smoking is banned in all North Dakota gaming venues.
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Until the election of 2009, casino gambling was illegal in The Buckeye State, but Issue 3 (a pro-casino initiative) passed, and casinos are now planned in four Ohio cities. Currently Ohio hosts a number of parimutuel horse racetracks, as well as more than 200 bingo halls. The legal gambling age in Ohio is 18 for parimutuel betting. Smoking is banned in all Ohio gaming venues.
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Casinos large and small, as well as parimutuel racetracks and racinos, make gambling in Oklahoma more than convenient. One caveat, though: Not all of The Sooner State's casinos serve alcoholic beverages. The legal gambling age in Oklahoma is 18 for parimutuel betting, and varies depending on the establishment for casino gaming.
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The Beaver State is the only one with a formal governmental contract with the state's nine Indian-owned casinos (gaming proceeds go to various charities). The legal gambling age in Oregon is 18 for parimutuel betting, and can vary from 18 to 21 for casino gaming, depending on the establishment. Smoking is banned in all Oregon gaming venues.
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Pennsylvania, The Keystone State, is home to not only a number of fine racinos, casinos, and horse racetracks, but also nearly 500 bingo halls. The legal gambling age in Pennsylvania is 18 for parimutuel betting and casino gaming.
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Puerto Rico is home to nearly two dozen excellent resort-casinos... and if that isn't enough, there are also an estimated 30,000 slot machines scattered throughout the bars, bakeries, and other small businesses of Puerto Rico. The legal gambling age in Puerto Rico is 21, while the drinking age is 18.
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The Smallest State, Rhode Island boasts a few racinos and parimutuel horse racetracks and dog racetracks; the legal gambling age is 18.
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Casino cruises and bingo halls are South Carolina's major gaming options. The legal gambling age in South Carolina is 21 for casino gaming.
South Carolina Department of Revenue
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In the Mt. Rushmore State, gambling is legal in many cities and on Indian reservations. Maximum allowable bets in South Dakota are $100, and the legal gambling age in South Dakota is 21 for casino gaming.
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There are no casinos in Tennessee, The Volunteer State. Although parimutuel betting is permitted, there are no current establishments in Tennessee offering that option.
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Casino cruises and the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino are the major gambling venues in the Lone Star State, although event planning companies abound that offer private or corporate 'casino nights.' The legal gambling age in Texas is 21 for parimutuel betting.
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Gambling is illegal in the Beehive State, although poker is permitted in Utah as long as the game is played for entertainment purposes only. There is no legal gambling age in Utah. Smoking is banned in all Utah gaming venues.
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Only non-profit organizations are permitted to operate gambling operations in Vermont, The Green Mountain State. The legal gambling age in Vermont is 18 for parimutuel betting. Smoking is banned in all Vermont gaming venues.
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Virginia law declares all bets 'shall be utterly void.' and it's legal to sue for gambling losses. That said, there one exception to the law is parimutuel betting at horse racetracks and OTB offices. The legal gambling age in Virginia is 18 for parimutuel betting.
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Of the three US Virgin Islands—St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John—Only St. Croix features a full-on resort-casino, but St. Thomas hosts several video & slot machine gaming venues. The legal gambling age in the US Virgin Islands is 21.
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About a fifth of Washington State's 130+ casinos are Indian-owned. Payout percentages tend to be a bit higher in Evergreen State casinos. The legal gambling age in Washington is 18 for both parimutuel betting and casino gaming. Smoking is banned in all Washington gaming venues.
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Tables games like poker, seven card stud, blackjack and craps are prohibited in West Virginia. On the other hand, slots are alive and well (as is parimutuel betting at The Mountain State's several horse racetracks, dog racetracks, and racinos). The legal gambling age in West Virginia is 18 for parimutuel betting, and can vary from 18 to 21 for casino gaming, depending on the establishment.
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All casinos in Wisconsin are Indian-owned. There are also a few bingo halls and one dog racetrack in The Badger State. The legal gambling age in Wisconsin is 18 for parimutuel betting and 21 for casino gaming.
Wisconsin Dept. of
Administration-Gaming
101 East Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53702
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Wyoming is home to exactly one casino and one parimutuel horse racetrack; the Equality State rounds out its gaming options with a handful of bingo halls. The legal gambling age in Wyoming is 18 for parimutuel betting and casino gaming.
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Additionally, there is a National Indian Gaming Commission that exists "to regulate gaming activities on Indian lands for the purpose of shielding Indian tribes from organized crime and other corrupting influences; to ensure that Indian tribes are the primary beneficiaries of gaming revenue; and to assure that gaming is conducted fairly and honestly by both operators and players." The NIGC does not set minimum gambling ages at Indian-owned casinos; rather, it reviews state contracts with the various bands, nations, and tribes to ensure fairness and legality.
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