The minimum age to use sports betting apps in the United States is not set at the federal level. Since the Supreme Court returned authority over sports wagering to the states, each jurisdiction decides whether to allow wagering and at what age. This article explains where 18 year olds may be eligible to use sports betting services, how regulated mobile apps verify age and location, and practical steps to verify eligibility before you try to sign up.

After the 2018 decision, states set their own sports betting ages, so rules differ by jurisdiction.

New Hampshire, the District of Columbia, and Montana are commonly cited as allowing 18 year olds under their current frameworks.

Mobile apps enforce age and location through identity checks and geolocation, and failing verification can block account access.

Quick answer: can 18 year olds use sports betting apps?

One-sentence summary: sports betting apps for 18 year olds

Short answer, it depends on the state. Since the Supreme Court returned authority over sports wagering to the states in the Murphy v. NCAA decision, each state and jurisdiction sets its own minimum betting age and rules for mobile sportsbooks, which means eligibility for 18 year olds varies by location Murphy v. NCAA decision. See a state-by-state regulations guide here.

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Check your state regulator website now to confirm whether 18 is allowed where you live and review the app terms before creating an account.

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This article covers which states and jurisdictions explicitly permit 18 year olds to wager, examples of states that require 21, how mobile apps verify age and location, practical steps for anyone who might be eligible, and lawful alternatives for young sports fans who are not yet allowed to use regulated sportsbooks. Read more on the Funded Plays blog.

How U.S. law determines minimum betting age

The impact of the Supreme Court decision

The 2018 Supreme Court ruling removed a federal barrier and returned the decision over legal sports wagering to individual states, so state legislatures and regulators now set the minimum age and other conditions for wagering in their jurisdictions Murphy v. NCAA decision.

How states set rules now

After that decision, states enacted statutes or created regulatory frameworks through gaming commissions and lotteries to authorize and control sports wagering, including setting minimum ages, licensing operators, and defining permitted products. State statutes and commission rules are the authoritative sources for age limits in each jurisdiction, and trackers such as Legal Sports Report monitor changes and legislation activity.

Which states and jurisdictions explicitly allow 18 year olds to wager

Examples in statute and lottery programs

Some places explicitly set the minimum age at 18. For example, New Hampshire's sports wagering statute establishes 18 as the minimum age for bettors in the forms authorized by the state New Hampshire Revised Statutes. See an age-by-state guide at OddsIndex.

The District of Columbia also permits sports wagering at age 18 under its code and lottery-administered program, where eligible participants can place bets consistent with D.C. law D.C. Code sports wagering provisions.

Is sports betting legal for 18 year olds?

It depends on the state. Some jurisdictions authorize wagering at 18 while many require 21; check your state regulator and an app's terms to confirm current rules.

Montana provides sports wagering through its lottery program and lists 18 as the minimum age for participation in the lottery-run offerings, though implementation details may differ from commercial sportsbooks in other states Montana Lottery sports betting FAQ.

What 'allow' means in practice

Allowing 18 year olds in statute or lottery rules means the state framework permits wagering at that age for specified products, but it does not mean every app or operator in the jurisdiction will support all product types. Regulations may distinguish between retail venues, lottery-operated offerings, and licensed mobile operators.

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Even where 18 is permitted, consumer protections and operator rules can limit which services an 18 year old may access. Always check the regulator notice and the app's eligibility rules for product-level distinctions before attempting to register. See the Funded Plays site for context: Funded Plays.

Which states commonly require bettors to be 21 (example: New York)

Why some states choose 21 as the minimum

Many states set the minimum at 21 to align wagering eligibility with other regulated activities or to reflect local policy choices. These decisions are made by legislatures or regulatory bodies and are enforced through licensing and account rules.

How regulators implement 21+ rules

New York provides a clear example: its mobile sports wagering regulations require account holders to be at least 21 and to complete formal identity verification as part of account establishment, and regulators require operators to enforce those limits when managing accounts New York mobile wagering regulations.

Where 21 is required, apps implement checks during signup to prevent underage access and may block deposits, wagers, and withdrawals if a user cannot verify age or identity consistent with state rules.

How mobile sports betting apps verify age and location

KYC identity checks explained

Regulated sportsbooks commonly require Know Your Customer identity checks that ask for government ID, name, date of birth, and sometimes proof of address; the process helps confirm the person meets the state minimum age and prevents underage access. These types of account management rules are detailed in state account management regulations Massachusetts account management regulations.

Geolocation and in-state presence

To comply with state licensing rules, mobile apps use geolocation technology to confirm the bettor is physically inside the state or jurisdiction at the time of placing a wager. Geolocation systems operate during signup and with each wager to enforce in-state presence and prevent cross-border play.

Typical verification flows combine identity checks with realtime geolocation and device data; if either check fails, account access or wagering functions may be denied or flagged for further review.

When you create an account, the common sequence is: register basic details, submit a photo of an ID or enter ID information, allow the app to confirm geolocation, and then wait for the operator to complete verification. Some verifications are instant, while others may take a short review period.

Minimal 2D vector US map highlighting states that permit 18 year old wagering in accent color and states that require 21 in dark secondary color sports betting apps for 18 year olds

Practical steps an 18 year old should take before trying to use an app

What to check in the app and state regulator site

First, confirm whether your state allows 18 year olds to wager by visiting the state gaming commission or lottery website and reviewing current statutes or regulatory notices. Laws and rules can change, so use the regulator as the authoritative source for minimum age requirements.

quick regulator and app check before signup

State regulator site
App terms and age rule
Required ID

Keep copies of verification attempts

Second, read the app's terms of service and help pages to verify the minimum age and any product restrictions. If the app is licensed in your state, its terms should explain whether an 18 year old can register for mobile wagering and what identification will be required.

Third, prepare the documents commonly requested during KYC such as a valid government photo ID and proof of address, and be ready to allow geolocation access. Having documents organized reduces delays and lowers the chance of temporary account denial.

Typical KYC flow

Common reasons for rejection

Accounts are often rejected when the information submitted does not match public records, the ID is expired or unclear, or the geolocation check shows the device outside the licensed jurisdiction. Mismatched names, out-of-state addresses when not permitted, or attempts to disguise location commonly lead to denial.

If verification fails, follow the app's guidance for resubmission and contact customer support. Deliberately misrepresenting age or location risks account closure and other consequences under the platform terms and applicable law.

Legal and practical risks for underage attempts

Account closure and fund forfeiture

If an app determines a user is underage or otherwise ineligible, it can suspend or close the account and may hold or return funds according to its terms and regulator directives. Platforms and regulators treat age verification as a core compliance requirement and will enforce rules to protect minors.

Potential legal consequences

Intentionally falsifying identity or using methods to hide location, including using unauthorized tools to spoof geolocation, may violate platform terms and local law and can result in account sanctions. The safer course is to comply with state rules and correct any account errors promptly.

Common mistakes 18 year olds make and how to avoid them

Assuming national uniformity

A frequent mistake is assuming the same minimum applies everywhere. Because states set their own rules after the Supreme Court decision, eligibility varies and must be checked per state before attempting to sign up.

Overlooking app terms and verification

Another common error is signing up without checking the app's terms or failing to allow geolocation and ID verification. Avoid using VPNs or spoofing tools to appear in another state, as those actions can cause denial and potential account action against you.

When in doubt, document your verification attempts and contact customer support or the state regulator for clarification rather than attempting technical workarounds.

Practical scenarios: three short examples

An 18 year old in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, where statute authorizes wagering at age 18, an 18 year old who registers with a licensed provider would still need to complete KYC and geolocation checks before being allowed to place bets, consistent with state law and operator rules New Hampshire Revised Statutes.

An 18 year old in New York

By contrast, an 18 year old in New York would not be eligible for mobile sports wagering because New York's regulations require a minimum age of 21 and formal identity verification for account holders, so the app will prevent signup or wagering for underage applicants New York mobile wagering regulations.

A college student traveling across states

If you are legally eligible in your home state but travel to another state, mobile apps will typically use geolocation to block wagers when you are outside the licensed jurisdiction. Traveling students should check both the state rules where they are located and the app's geolocation policy before attempting to place a bet Massachusetts account management regulations.

Alternatives for young sports fans who are not yet eligible

Skill-based prediction platforms and sweepstakes model

Younger sports fans who cannot legally access regulated sportsbooks can consider skill-based prediction platforms and sweepstakes models that operate under different legal frameworks and focus on performance challenges rather than traditional wagering. These platforms often use virtual bankrolls and structured evaluation rather than taking wagers against the house.

Educational and practice tools

Other lawful options include fantasy contests that meet state rules, simulated betting apps for practice, and educational tools for learning handicapping and bankroll management. Confirm eligibility rules for any platform before registering and avoid providers that require underage users to misrepresent their age.

How to verify current rules: regulator sites and app terms to check

Where to find authoritative information

The most reliable source for minimum age and product eligibility is the state gaming commission or lottery website for the state in which you are located, since legislatures and regulators publish statutes and rules that control wagering eligibility and operator obligations.

What to look for in a regulator notice or app terms

When reviewing regulator notices or an app's help pages, look for explicit age statements, the list of permitted products, licensing status, and details on identity and geolocation requirements. If language is unclear, contact the regulator or the app's licensed compliance team for clarification.

Final checklist and next steps for readers

Quick legal checklist

Check your state regulator or lottery website for the current minimum betting age, read the app's terms of service to confirm whether 18 year olds may register, and prepare valid ID and proof of address for KYC verification. See our evaluations post here for related guidance.

If you are underage or unsure

If you are not eligible, do not attempt to bypass verification or mask your location. Consider legal alternatives such as skill-based prediction challenges that use virtual funded accounts and educational tools until you meet the state's minimum age requirement.

Can an 18 year old legally use any sports betting app across the U.S.?

No. After the 2018 Supreme Court decision, each state sets its own rules, so eligibility for 18 year olds depends on the state and the specific product or operator.

What documents do apps typically ask for during signup?

Most regulated apps request government photo ID, name, date of birth, and sometimes proof of address as part of KYC identity checks.

What should I do if an app rejects my verification?

Review the app's instructions for resubmission, confirm your documents match public records, and contact the app's support or your state regulator if you need further guidance.

If you are unsure about your eligibility, your state gaming commission or lottery website is the definitive source for up-to-date rules. Avoid attempting to circumvent verification and use lawful alternatives or practice tools until you meet the stated minimum age.