Many readers wonder if an 18 year old can use popular sports wagering apps. The short, practical reality is that eligibility depends on state law and how operators verify age and location. This article explains the legal framework, shows which states currently permit 18 year olds to wager, describes how DraftKings verifies identity, and gives step by step actions to confirm eligibility.

DraftKings enforces the state minimum age for sports wagering through geolocation and identity verification.

New Hampshire and Wyoming currently permit sports wagering at age 18, subject to verification and market availability.

If your state requires 21, attempting to bypass verification risks account restriction and denial.

Quick answer: can an 18 year old use DraftKings?

Short summary

Short answer: in most U.S. jurisdictions DraftKings requires users to be 21, but where state law sets the minimum at 18 an eligible 18 year old can register and place wagers provided geolocation and identity checks confirm eligibility, and DraftKings enforces those rules during signup

Close up of a hand uploading a photo ID on a smartphone showing verification progress for betting apps for 18 year olds on a minimalist dark Funded Plays style background

That conclusion depends on state law, because states decide the legal minimum age for sports wagering and operators must follow local rules as part of licensing and compliance; for information on verification practices see DraftKings Help Center DraftKings identity verification

For example, some states have set the minimum betting age at 21 while others allow wagering at 18, so licensed operators change market access to reflect those local rules; for a compact overview of state differences consult a state-by-state legalization summary National Conference of State Legislatures sports betting summary and a sports betting age overview sports betting age by state

Why the answer depends on state law

Federal law does not set a uniform minimum age for state-regulated sports wagering, so each state establishes the age threshold that applies to licensed operators within its borders, and those thresholds differ noticeably across the country

Why state law controls minimum betting age

Federal vs state authority for gambling laws

States, not the federal government, regulate most forms of legal gambling including sports wagering, and that authority lets each state decide the minimum age and the licensing conditions for operators who serve customers inside that state; see a state regulations guide Sports Betting Regulations in the US

Because regulation is state based, operators must restrict access and tailor their verification and geolocation systems to match the legal requirements of each licensed market; for regular updates on state changes see the NCSL summary NCSL sports betting summary

How regulators set different minimum ages

Regulators publish the specific age rules for sports wagering alongside licensing guidance, and those public notices are the authoritative source for whether 18 or 21 applies in any given state

As concrete examples, Massachusetts and New Jersey both currently require a minimum age of 21 for sports wagering under their regulatory frameworks, so app access in those states follows the 21 plus rule Massachusetts Gaming Commission sports wagering FAQ

Where 18 year olds can use DraftKings: state examples

New Hampshire: 18 allowed

New Hampshire permits sports wagering at age 18 under the state lottery model, so an 18 year old physically located and verified inside New Hampshire can use a licensed sports wagering app that is authorized to operate in that state New Hampshire Lottery sports betting FAQ

That permission depends on geolocation and identity checks at signup, which operators run to verify that a registrant is both old enough and physically present inside the state jurisdiction before allowing wagering

Does DraftKings allow 18 year olds to use its app?

DraftKings follows state law, so 18 year olds can use DraftKings only where state regulations permit 18 plus wagering and after passing identity and geolocation verification.

Wyoming: 18 allowed

Wyoming permits online sports wagering at age 18 statewide, so eligible 18 year olds who meet the state criteria and pass operator verification can access licensed wagering apps while located in Wyoming Wyoming Gaming Commission sports wagering

Because operators must apply geolocation and comply with state licensing obligations, availability depends on whether DraftKings is licensed and operating in the state at the time a user attempts to register

Common 21 plus states: examples

Several states require a 21 minimum for sports wagering, which means residents and visitors in those states generally cannot register or place wagers until they meet that age requirement; regulators publish those rules on official agency pages New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement sports wagering FAQ

Because the legal age varies, always confirm the regulator guidance for the specific state you are in before attempting to use a wagering app

How DraftKings verifies age and identity

KYC checks at signup

DraftKings runs identity verification as part of account creation to confirm name, date of birth, and other identifying details before permitting wagers, and accounts remain restricted until verification succeeds DraftKings identity verification

Typical checks include document uploads, database cross checks, and geolocation to ensure a user is located where the law allows wagering; these controls are standard for licensed operators and help prevent underage access

Minimalist 2D vector map of the United States highlighting New Hampshire and Wyoming with accent color on Funded Plays dark background illustrating state by state variation betting apps for 18 year olds

What happens if verification fails

If a verification check does not confirm age or location, DraftKings will restrict wagering access and may temporarily suspend account activity while the operator requests additional documentation or rejects an ineligible registrant

Because verification decisions are tied to both identity details and the legal minimum in the detected location, a failure linked to age or geolocation usually prevents wagering until the issue is resolved

verify identity and location for sportsbook signup

State regulator
App market availability
Photo ID
Selfie
Proof of address

Upload clear scans

Step-by-step checklist: how an 18 year old can confirm eligibility

Check your state regulator

Step 1, verify the legal minimum age for sports wagering in your state by checking your state regulator page or a recent state-by-state implementation summary to confirm whether 18 or 21 applies where you live

Confirm your state age requirement now

Before you proceed, check your home state regulator website now to confirm the legal minimum age for sports wagering

Check state rules

Step 2, confirm that DraftKings or another licensed operator is authorized to operate in your precise location before creating an account, since market availability and licensing determine whether the app will accept registrations

Verify DraftKings market availability

Step 3, confirm that DraftKings is offering wagering in your state at the current time; market availability can change as operators add or pause services in specific states

Step 4, be aware that geolocation must show you are physically inside an eligible state when you register and when you place wagers, so mobile location services and permitted network settings matter

Complete KYC correctly

Step 5, prepare commonly requested documents for identity verification, such as a government issued photo ID and proof of address, and follow the operator instructions for clear scans or photos to reduce friction

Step 6, if verification is delayed provide any requested follow up documents promptly and, if needed, contact the operator help center to track the verification process

Decision points: when to try signing up and when to wait

If your state is 18+

If your state regulator sets the legal minimum at 18, you can proceed to register and complete KYC, keeping in mind that successful verification and local market availability are both required for wagering access

Confirm both the legal change and that DraftKings is operating in the state before investing time in verification

If your state is 21+

If the regulator requires 21, attempting to register as an 18 year old risks rejection during verification and potential account restriction, so it is generally best to wait until you meet the legal minimum

Trying to bypass the system by misrepresenting age or using location workarounds is likely to fail and can lead to account denial or closure

If the law is unclear or changing

When statutes or agency rules are in flux, check the regulator press pages and the NCSL tracking summary for confirmation, and avoid registering until both the legal change and operator market updates are clear

When in doubt contact the regulator or the operator support team for definitive guidance before you attempt to sign up

Common pitfalls and how underage attempts are handled

Using VPNs or false documents

Operators use geolocation and KYC to detect attempts to misrepresent age or location, so using a VPN or false documents to appear eligible is likely to be discovered and will usually result in account restriction DraftKings identity verification

Beyond account denial, attempting to bypass rules can lead to forfeiture of account access and blocked future registrations on the same identity

Shared accounts and age misrepresentation

Sharing accounts or allowing someone else to register under a different age is a breach of terms for licensed operators and can result in immediate restriction when discovered

Responsible participation and clear compliance with the operator terms protect both the user and the integrity of licensed markets

Practical scenarios: three real-world examples

18 year old physically in New Hampshire

Scenario 1, an 18 year old located in New Hampshire who registers with a licensed operator can complete verification and wager if geolocation and identity checks confirm eligibility under New Hampshire rules New Hampshire Lottery sports betting FAQ

That process typically requires a clear photo ID and successful geolocation at the time of signup and during wagering

18 year old visiting from a 21+ state

Scenario 2, an 18 year old who normally lives in a 21 plus state but is physically visiting an 18 plus state will be treated based on the detection of current physical location, so geolocation may permit wagering while visiting but not for home state activity

Because operators check location at transaction time, wagers placed while physically outside the 21 plus home state can be allowed provided verification and network settings confirm the visit

18 year old in Wyoming signing up remotely

Scenario 3, a Wyoming resident aged 18 can register for an operator that is licensed in Wyoming and pass the required identity checks to gain wagering access, subject to the operator accepting Wyoming registrations at that time Wyoming Gaming Commission sports wagering

Check both state guidance and operator market status before starting the process

If your account is restricted: steps to resolve verification issues

Documents to prepare

Collect government issued photo ID and a recent proof of address for upload, and ensure images are clear and match the personal details on your registration to minimize delays

Common acceptable documents and guidance are summarized by operators in their help centers and should be followed precisely to speed resolution DraftKings identity verification

Who to contact at DraftKings

Start with the operator help center and the verification support flow, provide requested documentation promptly, and keep records of correspondence if you need to escalate

If the issue appears to be a legal age restriction rather than a documentation mismatch, follow up with the state regulator for clarification

When to check with state regulators

If DraftKings denies access and you believe you meet the legal age in your state, contact the regulator to confirm the published rule and ask whether any additional administrative steps apply

Regulators can clarify whether legislative or administrative changes affect eligibility and point to official guidance to resolve disputes

What to do if your state changes the minimum age

Monitoring legislative updates

Track state law changes through regulator press pages and a national summary such as the NCSL tracker to learn when legal minimums shift and when operators will need to adapt NCSL sports betting summary

When a state changes its legal minimum, operators typically update market availability, but confirm both the law and the operator notice before attempting to register

How operators respond to law changes

Operators adjust their geolocation and verification rules to align with new law or regulatory guidance and will publish market updates that indicate when signups and wagering become available

Always check the operator help center and the regulator notice together to ensure both the legal change and the operator response are in effect

Non-gambling alternatives for younger sports fans

Skill-based prediction platforms and sweepstakes

While waiting to become eligible for regulated wagering, younger sports fans can practice forecasting and learn bankroll management through skill-based prediction platforms or sweepstakes style challenges that operate under different rules than sportsbooks. Visit the Funded Plays homepage for related resources Funded Plays

Educational resources and simulation accounts

Use simulated accounts, statistical tools, and educational content to refine models and decision processes while you wait to meet the legal minimum age for wagers. Read more on the Funded Plays blog Funded Plays blog

Focusing on learning outcomes and consistent practice prepares users for compliance with operator verification once they are eligible

Summary and next steps

Key takeaways

State law determines whether an 18 year old can use DraftKings, with New Hampshire and Wyoming notable examples that allow 18 year olds, while many other states require users to be 21; DraftKings enforces those rules through geolocation and identity verification DraftKings identity verification

Actionable next steps for readers

Check your state regulator page, confirm DraftKings market availability for your location, and prepare clear identity documents if you are in a state that permits wagering at 18

If you are underage in your state, use skill-based challenges and simulation tools to build skills while you wait and read our explanation of how Funded Plays evaluations work how evaluations work

Appendix: sources and how to verify updates

Official regulator pages to bookmark

Bookmark your state regulator sports wagering page and a national legislative tracker so you can confirm the legal minimum and any recent changes in policy NCSL sports betting summary

For state specific guidance reference the New Hampshire Lottery and the Wyoming Gaming Commission pages where applicable New Hampshire Lottery sports betting FAQ

DraftKings help pages to follow

Keep the DraftKings identity verification help page bookmarked for instructions on acceptable documents and the verification flow DraftKings identity verification

Checking both regulator and operator pages is the most reliable way to confirm eligibility before you register

Can an 18 year old register on DraftKings?

It depends on your state. DraftKings enforces the state minimum age, so in states where law permits 18 you may register after passing identity and location checks; in many states the minimum is 21.

Which states allow 18 year olds to wager?

Some states, notably New Hampshire and Wyoming, allow sports wagering at 18; most other states set the minimum at 21. Always confirm with your state regulator.

What should I do if my verification is denied?

Provide clear copies of requested ID, contact the operator help center to resolve the issue, and consult the state regulator if the denial appears tied to local law.

If you are unsure about eligibility, prioritize checking your state regulator and the operator help pages before signing up. Responsible participation and accurate verification protect you and the licensed market.