If you are 18 and wondering whether you can use DraftKings, the answer is not the same across the United States. Legal age limits, product classifications, and whether DraftKings is licensed to operate in your state all matter. This guide explains when 18-year-olds may access DraftKings products, how the platform verifies age and location, what to do if verification fails, and practical next steps to check eligibility for the product you want to use.

Eligibility to use DraftKings at 18 depends on both state law and whether DraftKings offers the product in that state.

DraftKings enforces age and geolocation checks and may request identity documents if automated verification fails.

Daily Fantasy Sports and simulation platforms can be lawful alternatives for younger users in some states.

Why this question matters for 18-year-olds

What readers will learn about betting apps for 18 year olds

Age limits determine whether you can legally use specific products on platforms like DraftKings, and understanding them helps avoid account denial or legal problems. If you are researching betting apps for 18 year olds, you need to know that state law and operator rules together decide access, not just the platform's signup form.

DraftKings enforces the legal minimum age for each jurisdiction and runs age and location checks before allowing play, so creating an account does not guarantee you will be allowed to wager or enter contests in every product or state DraftKings Help Center on age and location.

How the article is structured

This article gives a short, actionable answer first, then walks through the state-by-state reality, product differences, verification steps, document follow-up, a simple decision checklist, common mistakes to avoid, practical scenarios, and lawful alternatives for underage users.

Use the signposts to jump to the section that matters for your state or product type, and treat the guidance here as explanatory rather than definitive legal advice. (See the Funded Plays blog for related posts.)

Short answer: under what conditions can an 18-year-old use DraftKings?

Quick headline answer

The short answer is: you can only use DraftKings if you meet your jurisdiction's legal minimum age for the specific product and DraftKings is active in that market; in some states that minimum is 18, while in many major sportsbook markets it is higher.

DraftKings maintains a page showing where its Sportsbook and other products operate, and availability varies by state and by product, so check that page before assuming you can sign up or wager DraftKings Help Center: availability. You can also check DraftKings' fantasy availability page for product-level details DraftKings fantasy availability.

Practice with FundedPlays Challenges while you check your eligibility

Check the operator availability page and your state regulator for the product you plan to use before attempting to register.

View FundedPlays Challenges

What 'availability' and 'product' mean in practice

'Availability' means the operator is licensed or permitted to offer a given product in your state. A product can be the Sportsbook, Daily Fantasy Sports, or other offerings, and each can have different age rules and geographic limits.

Close up smartphone showing a blurred sportsbook app beside a notepad listing US state names for verification checks visualizing betting apps for 18 year olds

Because product availability changes and is product-specific, meeting the state's age minimum does not automatically mean DraftKings will be able to offer that product to you in your state.

State-by-state reality: where 18 is allowed and what to check

States that set sports betting age at 18

As of 2026, New Hampshire and Wyoming set the legal sports betting age at 18, which means residents of those states could be eligible to use sportsbook products where DraftKings is live and the product terms allow it American Gaming Association state guide for New Hampshire.

Funded Plays Challenges page

View FundedPlays Challenges

Even in states with an 18-year minimum, you still must be in a location where DraftKings has authorization to operate the specific product you want to use, and the platform's own product terms can impose further restrictions.

Common states where the minimum is 21 and what that means

Many large sportsbook markets maintain a 21-year minimum for sports wagering; for example, New Jersey has a 21-year minimum for sportsbook activity, so an 18-year-old in that state cannot place sportsbook wagers through DraftKings there New Jersey guidance on sports wagering.

If you live in or travel to a state with a 21-year minimum, the geolocation and age checks used during sign-up and play will prevent you from accessing sportsbook features even if you can access other parts of the site or app.

How to check operator availability in your state

To confirm whether DraftKings is active for the product you want, review DraftKings' maintained availability page for its Sportsbook and other offerings and cross-check with your state regulator's site for definitive licensing status DraftKings Help Center: availability. You can also consult DraftKings' sports betting state list for legal coverage Where is sports betting legal.

When in doubt, contact the state regulator listed on their official website; regulators provide the authoritative legal position on age limits and operator licensing in each state.

Product differences: Sportsbook versus Daily Fantasy and other DraftKings offerings

How age minimums vary by product

DraftKings applies product- and state-specific age minimums, so Daily Fantasy Sports and other contest-style products may allow participation at 18 in many jurisdictions while sportsbook wagering often requires a higher minimum in several states DraftKings Help Center on product and age rules. The DraftKings fantasy availability page includes product-level age notes DraftKings fantasy availability.

Quick product-age check for your state

State name
Product name
Minimum age to check

Use the state regulator for confirmation

Why DFS often has lower minimums

Daily Fantasy Sports is classified differently in some states and historically has had lower age minimums in many jurisdictions, which is why an 18-year-old may be able to enter DFS contests in places where sportsbook wagering is restricted to older users.

However, product classification and state law both matter, so DFS availability at 18 is not universal and can vary by state and product rules.

What 'product-specific' restrictions mean for sign-up

When you sign up, the age and product you choose affect what parts of the app you can access. DraftKings enforces these distinctions at account level and during play.

Minimal 2D vector of a laptop showing a verification upload screen with an ID card and documents beside it in Funded Plays colors, illustration for betting apps for 18 year olds

If a product requires a higher age than your state minimum or if DraftKings is not licensed to offer the product in your state, you will not be able to place wagers or enter contests for that product.

Typical information requested at registration

DraftKings typically requests personal details such as full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number during sign-up to support automated identity checks DraftKings Help Center on identity verification.

These initial details are used to run automated age and identity checks before you can place wagers or enter certain contests.

Can an 18-year-old legally use DraftKings?

An 18-year-old can use DraftKings only when the state sets the legal minimum age at 18 and DraftKings is licensed to offer the specific product there; DraftKings enforces age and geolocation checks and may require identity verification before play.

Automated checks and when documents may be needed

Automated verification often succeeds, but if it fails DraftKings may request documents such as a photo ID or proof of address to confirm your identity and age; this manual step can delay access until the documents are reviewed DraftKings Help Center on identity verification.

Providing documents only confirms your identity and does not change legal age requirements; if you are under the state's legal minimum for a product, documents will not make you eligible.

Geolocation and why it matters

DraftKings uses geolocation technology to confirm you are physically located in a jurisdiction where the product is authorized; this prevents access from outside permitted areas and enforces state-specific rules during play DraftKings Help Center on location checks.

Even if your account information shows you meet the age requirement, geolocation rules can block play when you travel or if you try to connect from a different state.

If automated verification fails: next steps and common document requests

Types of documents you may be asked for

If automated checks fail, typical documents requested include a government-issued photo ID and proof of address such as a utility bill; the platform may also ask you to confirm personal details like the last four of your SSN DraftKings Help Center on identity verification.

Collect high-quality scans or photos of the requested documents before starting manual verification to speed the process.

How to submit documents securely

Follow the platform's secure upload procedures and use the DraftKings help resources for guidance rather than sending documents through unverified channels.

DraftKings' verification instructions explain the secure submission workflow and timelines for review.

What to expect after submission

After you submit documents, expect a review period; outcomes include verification and account activation for eligible products, or a denial if the legal age or geolocation rules are not met.

Providing documents cannot override state law, so if your state or the product requires an older minimum age the account will remain restricted for those products.

A short decision checklist: can you register or place bets?

Quick eligibility checklist

Use this checklist before you try to register or place bets: verify your state's legal minimum age, confirm DraftKings is licensed for the specific product in your state, and ensure you can pass identity and geolocation checks DraftKings Help Center: availability.

If you meet all three conditions and DraftKings' automated verification completes successfully, you may gain access to the permitted products for your location.

What to confirm before you try to sign up

Before signing up, check the state regulator for legal age rules and have required documents ready in case manual verification is needed.

Confirming these items ahead of time reduces delays and the chance of account denial.

Common mistakes and legal risks to avoid

Trying to bypass geolocation or falsify age

Attempting to bypass geolocation, falsify date of birth, or use someone else's identity can lead to account suspension, denial of withdrawals, and legal issues; do not attempt these measures DraftKings Help Center on age and location.

Honest preparation and following the platform's verification steps are the safe and lawful path to access when you are eligible.

Assuming DFS rules automatically allow sportsbook access

Confusing product rules is common: being eligible for Daily Fantasy Sports does not automatically make you eligible to use the Sportsbook in the same state, because product classifications and age minimums can differ.

Always check product-specific rules rather than assuming one product's age rules apply to another.

Not checking operator availability

Do not rely on third-party forums for availability; check DraftKings' availability page and your state regulator for authoritative information on where products are offered and the applicable legal age DraftKings Help Center: availability.

Failure to confirm operator presence can lead to wasted time and unnecessary verification steps.

Practical examples and scenarios

Example: an 18-year-old in New Hampshire

An 18-year-old resident of New Hampshire may be able to use sportsbook products if DraftKings is live there and the product terms permit play for that age, but they must pass the platform's age and geolocation checks first American Gaming Association guide for New Hampshire.

Before attempting to sign up, confirm DraftKings' active availability in New Hampshire and have identity documents ready for verification.

Example: an 18-year-old in New Jersey

In New Jersey, sports wagering minimums are 21, so an 18-year-old cannot place sportsbook wagers through DraftKings in that state regardless of account verification New Jersey guidance on sports wagering.

An 18-year-old in New Jersey may still explore other permitted products but should not assume sportsbook access is possible.

What to do if you move or travel

If you move or travel, geolocation checks apply at the time of play. Moving to a state with a different legal minimum or product availability can change what you are allowed to use, so re-check the rules and verification steps after changing location DraftKings Help Center on location.

Keep your account information up to date to avoid verification delays when your location changes.

Alternatives for users who are under a state's sportsbook minimum

Daily Fantasy Sports and how its rules can differ

Some products, including Daily Fantasy Sports, may be available at 18 depending on the state's laws and the product's classification, so younger users should check product terms and the regulator to confirm lawful access DraftKings Help Center on product rules.

DFS can be a legal way to participate in contest-style prediction for those who meet its age requirements.

Skill-based sweepstakes and simulation platforms

Skill-based sweepstakes, simulation platforms, and educational prediction tools let younger users practice forecasting and build discipline without sportsbook wagering; these options can be a lawful way to gain experience until you meet sportsbook age thresholds. See our writeup on how evaluations work at Funded Plays.

Responsible ways to build experience before meeting age thresholds

Focus on learning analytics, tracking hypothetical bets, and using legal simulation tools to develop consistent decision-making and money management habits before attempting sportsbook play.

Responsible practice prepares you for lawful participation when you reach the applicable legal age and meet operator verification requirements.

Conclusion and next steps

What to check right now

Confirm your state's legal minimum age and whether DraftKings is licensed to offer the specific product you want to use; DraftKings enforces jurisdictional age limits and performs identity and geolocation checks before allowing play DraftKings Help Center on age and location.

If you are eligible, prepare the required personal details and documents in advance to speed verification and reduce delays.

Where to go for official confirmation

Visit DraftKings' availability page for product-level coverage and consult your state regulator for definitive legal guidance and licensing status DraftKings Help Center: availability. For related coverage, see the Funded Plays homepage.

When in doubt, rely on official operator pages and your state regulator rather than third-party forums or anecdotal reports.

Can an 18-year-old use DraftKings Sportsbook?

Only if the state sets the sports betting minimum at 18 and DraftKings is licensed to offer the Sportsbook there; otherwise sportsbook access is blocked by age and geolocation checks.

Can an 18-year-old play Daily Fantasy Sports on DraftKings?

Possibly; DFS age rules vary by state and product, so check the product terms and your state regulator to confirm lawful access.

What documents might I need to prove my age on DraftKings?

Common requests include a government-issued photo ID and proof of address; DraftKings may also ask for the last four digits of your Social Security number if automated checks fail.

Check the DraftKings availability page and your state regulator before attempting to sign up or wager. If you are not eligible for sportsbook play, consider lawful alternatives like Daily Fantasy Sports or simulation tools to build skills until you meet the required age.