The current gambling laws in the UK are designed to control illegal gambling and better regulate the industry to make it safer for gamblers to make bets. One area the laws focus on is protections for children and vulnerable adults and that includes a minimum legal age for gambling and self-exclusion options for adults with gambling addiction. No United Kingdom gambling law makes it illegal to gamble at licensed offshore online casinos, rather UK gambling laws just add some requirements for operators to be considered legitimate and legal whether or not they are located offshore.
Since 1960, all gambling has been legal in the UK. Legal age for sports betting and most other forms of gambling is 18. Scratch cards, lotteries & football pools legal for 16+. Gambling Act 2005 & Gambling (Licensing & Advertising) Act 2014 govern most online activities.
Current UK Gambling Laws & Casino Legislation
The current gambling laws in the UK are designed to control illegal gambling and better regulate the industry to make it safer for gamblers to make bets. One area the laws focus on is protections for children and vulnerable adults and that includes a minimum legal age for gambling and self-exclusion options for adults with gambling addiction.
What Is The Minimum Age To Gamble Legally In The UK?
In the UK, you need to be at least 18 to gamble legally, whether that is online or live. Gaming establishments, including online casinos and sportsbooks, are legally obligated to confirm that customers are at least 18 years old by requesting ID and, if necessary, other supporting documents.
One big exception to this rule includes lotteries, and some scratch cards, and football pools. The minimum gambling age in the UK for those is 16 years old.
What Is The Minimum Age To Gamble Legally In The UK?
In the UK, you need to be at least 18 to gamble legally, whether that is online or live. Gaming establishments, including online casinos and sportsbooks, are legally obligated to confirm that customers are at least 18 years old by requesting ID and, if necessary, other supporting documents.
One big exception to this rule includes lotteries, and some scratch cards, and football pools. The minimum gambling age in the UK for those is 16 years old.
How does it impact me?
There are serious consequences for failing to meet the gambling age in the UK, including denying you your winnings if they find out. Always make sure you're old enough to be gambling in the UK. In most cases, that means being at least 18 years old.