18+ Online Betting – The Best Sportsbooks, Poker Rooms and Casinos for 18-Year-Olds
Those of you seeking 18+ betting action actually have quite a few more options than you realize, if you know where to look. The landscape of gambling across the United States is primarily focused on the 21+ market, making it difficult for players between the ages of 18 and 20 to find a legit betting venue. There are some state-regulated gambling sites that allow for online betting at eighteen-year-old, but only a few.
That scenario changes drastically when considering offshore gambling sites, as many of the top-rated online betting sites include 18 + casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms. Bettors from most states in the USA are welcome as long as you are at least 18 years old, and this page will help you find out what's offered in your region. This guide focuses on three primary sources of online betting for 18 year olds, but will also cover other venues as the guide grows. These categories include:
- 18+ Casinos (as well as online mobile casino apps that offer casino games for Android, iPhone and iPad)
- Sports Betting For 18 Year Olds (including a page dedicated to sports betting apps for 18 year olds)
- 18+ Poker
Bovada – Best 18+ Online Sportsbook And Casino
💵 Sportsbook Bonus
50% Max $1,000
💵 Casino Bonus
125% Max $3,750
💵 Poker Bonus
100% Max $500
Is Bovada legal for 18 year olds?
Yes!! Bovada is licensed and regulated by the government of Curacao, and can legally accept players who are 18 and up. This operator has been a top-rated 18+ online betting site since 2011, and is one of the most respected brands in the business. They offer a sophisticated casino, sportsbook, and poker room, as well as a premium racebook, with sign-up bonuses on offer for each of their platforms.
Bovada does well with maintaining relevance in a rapidly changing technological environment with an exceptional mobile app, support for crypto transactions, same day payout options, prop building tools, live dealer casino games, wide range of poker tournaments, easy online and mobile access to 24/7 customer service, and some of the most reasonable wagering requirements for bonus offers and promotions.
- License Certificate: B2C-4FML2EDR-1668JAZ
- License Jurisdiction: Curacao eGaming
- VIP Program: Yes
Can You Gamble At 18?
Yes, as long as you know what your legitimate options are.
Offshore: This is where you going to find the most options and widest range of gambling entertainment available to you. The online gambling sites you see on this page are all 18+, and are all legitimately licensed and regulated to accept players who are adults aged 18 and up across the US. You will find the following gambling entertainment platforms represented across these sites:
- 18+ casino sites
- Sports betting for 18 year olds
- 18 and up online poker
- 18 and over horse racing
A little further down we'll explain just why we have selected these particular sites.
Locally: There are a handful of states that authorize the licensing of casino gambling, sports betting, and horse racing for 18 and up players, however most venues that are regulated and licensed by individual states opt for the 21+ criteria, including tribal casinos, though there are exceptions.
Most states allow 18 year olds to purchase lottery tickets and play bingo for real money and prizes. Following are the state-licensed gambling entertainment opportunities most often found available to 18 year olds.
- Lottery Tickets
- Bingo
- Limited Casino Access - very few states support gambling at 18 at local casinos. Those that do often limit player access to slots only.
- Sports Betting - There are a few states that offer sports betting for 18 year olds at their local sportsbooks, with a few of them also supporting local online and mobile betting apps.
- Horse Racing - There are a handful of US states that support 18+ betting on horse races in person and through simulcast events.
Where Can You Gamble At 18?
If you're lucky enough to live in a state that supports gambling for all adults who are at least 18, then you probably have some local options to turn to. For the rest of us, or for those who simply prefer the convenience of online and mobile access to premium gambling entertainment, there are some fantastic online betting sites that have been providing their services to USA bettors for years (or decades in some cases...).
Every single betting site you see represented on this page delivers both an exceptional desktop or laptop gambling experience as well as a sophisticated and more than satisfying mobile betting experience. They cater to the US gambling market, welcome players who are 18 and up, and are legally licensed and regulated through international gambling jurisdictions. The online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms we list on this page not only allow you to gamble at 18, but based on our own personal experience, they also outperform the domestic providers in every way, while providing some perks you won't find locally.
Advantages Of Online Betting Sites Where You Can Gamble At 18
We mentioned that you will find some perks at the offshore betting sites we recommend, so we thought its only fair that we list at least a couple of them for you:
- Support For Cryptocurrency Transactions - this is a big one. The betting sites we feature all support making deposits and withdrawing your payouts using crytpo. We have yet to find a state-regulated casino, sportsbook, or poker room that allows you to use Bitcoin or any other crypto options.
- Convenience - 24/7 access from anywhere you have an internet connection makes for a pretty convenient set up for you. Since the betting apps we list are web-based, your account and status are always synched across any device you use.
- No Geotracking Limitations - the few states that support 18+ online betting provided by local gambling establishments impose geotracking requirements that must be satisfied, requiring you to be within a specific region or sometimes within a specific proximity to a casino or sportsbook property. None of the gambling destinations we recommend impose this limitation on their members.
- Accepts Members At 18 Years Of Age - Most of the locally licensed gambling establishments and their associated websites and apps require players to be 21 and up to enjoy their services. Of course there are a few exceptions, and even some of the exceptions are very limited in scope as opposed to the sites you see on this page that offer up their entire repertoire of services to you as long as you are 18 years of age or older.
Below we go into more detail about where you can gamble at 18, and break it all down by venue, including casino, sports betting, and poker. We share this information based on years being spent enjoying online gambling entertainment as well as years as industry insiders, giving us a rather unique perspective. We know when to call BS, and we know when the juice is legit. One thing we can guarantee is that we will always be strait up with you.
18 and Up Casinos Online
While some forms of state-regulated online gambling are spreading like wildfire across the US, sports betting specifically, online casino games are not as common at the state level. This is one reason that 18+ offshore online casinos have gained such strong momentum.
The states of Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Michigan (MI), New Jersey (NJ), Pennsylvania (PA), and West Virginia (WV) license online casinos that allow 21 and over gamblers to play real money casino games online. There are no states in the USA that regulate locally licensed online casinos or apps that are available to those of you who are between the ages of 18 and 20.
Legitimate offshore casino sites are regulated within the gambling jurisdiction in which they operate and are therefore not subject to US state and federal gambling restrictions, creating an opportunity that 18+ players across the USA can benefit from to gamble online. Below we have compiled a list of the highest-rated online 18+ casinos that allow you to play real money games. At these international gambling sites, you can expect to find your favorite casino games, including the following:
- Slots (3 reel, 5 reel, 3D, progressive, +more)
- Table Games: Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps
- Video Poker
- War
- Caribbean Stud
- Bingo
- Keno
- Live Dealer Blackjack, Roulette, Super 6, Baccarat
What Devices Support 18 And Up Casinos Online?
You will be able to access legitimate, premium 18+ casinos on just about any device that can connect to the Internet, including mobile devices, laptops, desktops, and even video gaming devices. The online casinos for 18 year olds you see listed on this page are all browser-based applications, so you won't have to download anything onto your device, and your account will be synched each time you login, regardless of which device you are using. From either your laptop, smartphone or tablet, you will be able to access not only their games, but all account management functions, such as registration, deposits, payouts, bonus codes, and tournaments, among other features.
You also will not have to visit any type of app store to access these casinos. You simply use any device you want to click on one or more of the links on this page and voila, your device turns into a remote casino interface. This type of convenience takes casino gaming to a whole new level, from anywhere that you have an internet connection.
Here is a breakdown of all the types of device compatibility you are getting with these brands:
- Desktop or Laptop: Microsoft Casino Apps and Mac Online Casinos
- Mobile: iPhone Casinos, iPad Casinos, Android Casinos
The technology, casino software, and casino interface are compatible with the majority of current devices, as well as backwards compatible with most older devices that can still accept operating system updates.
If you are interested in one of the leading 18+ casino mobile apps - we can point you in the right direction there too! Here are our recommendations, based on first hand experienced as long time registered players at each of them:
Online Sports Betting For 18 Years Old
Can you sports bet at 18? A majority of states in the USA now feature some form of domestic sports betting, with many of them including online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. Of those states, only New Hampshire (NH), Montana (MT), Rhode Island (RI), Tennessee (TN), Washington D.C., and Wyoming (WY) allow sports betting for 18 year olds online.
Offshore sportsbooks can accept members as young as eighteen in all states across the USA because they operate outside of the restrictions of local and federal US laws. The online sports betting sites we mention here are the best sites offering sports betting for 18 year olds, routinely delivering odds for the following pro and amateur athletics:
- Football - NFL, Super Bowl, College Football, Bowl Games, CFP, XFL, USFL, CFL, FCF
- Basketball – NBA, College Basketball, March Madness, Olympics, International
- Baseball – MLB, College Baseball, International
- Hockey – NHL, Olympics, International, College Hockey
- Motor Sports – NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar
- Combat Sports – Boxing, UFC, Bellator, Celebrity Boxing, Pro Wrestling
- Soccer, Golf, Tennis, Cricket, Rugby, Darts, Volleyball, Snooker, Cycling, Aussie Rules Football
NBA
March Madness
Olympics
NHL
NASCAR
UFC
Wrestling
Other Events Covered At 18+ Sportsbooks
There are some betting lines that you're only going to find at the offshore online sportsbooks you see on this page. We're referring to events that domestic venues abstain from, such as:
- Odds on election outcomes and entertainment (movies and TV results, reality TV competitions, celebrities, awards shows).
- MMA, UFC, Boxing, wrestling, and other combat sports are covered much more extensively at the 18+ offshore sportsbooks. You may find the most prominent MMA and UFC matches covered at some of the local sportsbooks, but the options are sparse compared to the international bookmakers.
- Financial betting lines focused on various global markets.
- Current event odds show up quite frequently and can include a wide range of categories based on trending topics.
- eSports (video game betting)
- Sports sims (betting on simulated sports, often using popular video game software)
- Virtual sports (gambling on virtual teams that are not real or based on reality).
That list is by no means exhaustive. Suppose your favorite sport is out of season, or it's late at night, well beyond game time. In that case, you can place your bets on eSports (video game betting), sports sims (betting on simulated sports, often using popular video game software), and virtual sports (gambling on virtual teams that are not real or based on reality).
Best Sports Betting Sites For 18-Year-Olds For May 2024
| Rank | Site | Bonus | Rating /5 | USA | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.9 |  | Play Now |
| 2 |  | 125% Max $3,125 | 4.6 | | Play Now |
| 3 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.5 | | Play Now |
| 4 |  | 100% Max $1,000 | 4.4 | | Play Now |
18 And Over Poker Online
Unfortunately, in May of 2024, no US states permit domestic online poker at the age of 18. However, 18+ online poker betting sites operating offshore come in for the save with an impressive selection of real money games and tournaments open to players who are 18 and over using web-ready devices nationwide.
Some of our favorite poker sites feature web-ready games that can be pulled up immediately. Others have downloadable poker apps that support speed poker and multiple hands/tables at once. Here are some of the types of cash poker games players can find at our #1 online betting sites.
- Texas Hold’em
- Omaha
- Hi-Lo
- Pai Gow
- Poker Tournaments
- Zone Poker
- Jackpot Sit & Go
Texas Hold'em
Omaha
Poker Tournaments
Zone Poker
Jackpot Sit & Go
The best-reviewed online poker sites can be accessed 24 hours a day and offer their real money games to 18 and over players across the United States. Until a local region changes their tune regarding online poker, international gambling sites will remain the best and only option in play.
Best 18+ Poker Sites For US Players For May 2024
| Rank | Site | Bonus | Rating /5 | USA | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | 100% Max $500 | 4.8 | | Play Now |
| 2 | | 100% Max $1,000 | 4.6 | | Play Now |
| 3 | | 100% Max $1,000 | 4.5 | | Play Now |
Betting Apps For 18 Year Olds
Best 18+ Casino Apps
iPhones, iPads and Android devices can access all of the recommended real money online casinos from just about anywhere in the country. By clicking on any casino link included on this page, those of you who are 18 to 20 years old can play real money casino games from any mobile device that is connected to the internet, including slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker and so much more using the best 18+ online mobile casino apps. These apps offer casino games for Android, iPhone and iPad.
Best 18+ Sports Betting Apps
Bet on the NFL, NHL, UFC, NBA, MLB, or any other popular sport with the sports betting apps for 18 year olds we feature here. These betting apps are all web based, so no downloads are required, and they work across Apple, Android, and Microsoft mobile devices. You can also sign-up, claim bonus offers and promotions, make deposits, and request payouts through these mobile sportsbook apps. These are the betting apps we ourselves use to place bets online.
Best 18-20 Mobile Poker Apps
Your best bet for real money poker apps all operate legally from within international gambling districts as they are not yet offered domestically for players under 21. Any poker brand we list on this page can be legally accessed by players 18 and up using Apple and Android devices that are connected to the web. You'll find a huge selection of your favorite cash games and tournaments. You will want to ensure you have a stable internet connection since these games are in real time.
Guidelines For Selecting A Premium 18+ Online Betting Site
While we appreciate the recent influx of new operators entering into the 18+ online gambling scene, we do require that gambling venues have at least five years of high-level, uninterrupted service under their belts before they can claim a spot on our list**.
We’re members with newer gambling sites, but they won’t receive a review here until after they’ve established themselves as a long-term, trustworthy provider. Other variables that factor highly into our 18+ online betting site reviews include:
- Variety Of Games And Sports Odds Offered
- Customer Service Availability And Effectivity
- User Interface And Experience
- Latest Software Providers And Real Money Games
- Same-Day Payouts
- Must Meet Or Exceed Current Cybersecurity Standards
- Generous Poker, Casino And Sportsbook Bonus Offers
- Legitimate Business, Licensing, And Regulatory Credentials
**The only exception to our longevity rule is if an existing brand that we recommend launches a sister site and brings it in under the same management team. In that case we may include a newer brand because we're already intimately familiar with their back office team, polices, procedures, and standards, as well as their regulatory status.
Why You Can Trust Us To Help You Select A Safe 18+ Online Betting Site
You may notice our list of betting sites for any single gambling platform is not exceptionally long. This isn't because there aren't a ton of brands out there we could promote - those options are endless. It is actually because we only suggest those betting sites that we have spent our own time and hard earned money at and can vouch for based on first hand experience as registered gamblers. We don't just read other people's reviews of an online casino or sportsbook and regurgitate what we learn from them (you'd be surprised how many people do that). Every word we write on this site is drawn from our own personal experiences with each and every brand you see throughout this website.
We are doing what we wish someone had done for us when we were first exploring the online gambling arena. Several of us on the team got into this business back in the 90's and had to learn a lot of things from hard knocks. As we became more experienced in this market and thankfully more wise, we eventually realized that our insight could not only be valuable to those individuals looking for legal, safe options to gamble online, but we could also spare you from making some of the errors that we made in the early days that ended up costing us more than a chunk of change.
We aren't afraid to point out the things we wish these operators did better, as well as the things they get completely right. We will share with you what to look for in a legitimate betting site, what the benefits of using crypto to gamble with are, and where to find the most trusted and reputable gambling sites that cater to 18 year olds. Yes, we do make money when we send you to these gambling sites, but this has not compelled us to load up our site with brands we don't know, believe in or trust. We honestly put our money where our mouth is.
Offshore Online Gambling vs. Domestic Gambling
Offshore
- Premium Options For Players 18 and Up
- Supports deposits and payouts with cryptocurrency
- Players can gamble with the same online betting site from anywhere that has an internet connection
- Allows for political betting and entertainment odds
- No download required mobile gambling apps
Domestic
- Mostly 21+
- No 18-20 online gambling or real money poker sites
- Geofencing restricts gambling within a specific proximity within state lines
- No entertainment or election betting lines
- Most betting apps require a download where available
- Does not support cryptocurrency transactions