Gambling is regulated and access is restricted in all countries around the world. Specific age limits are enforced in particular to protect young people from the psychological and financial risks of such offers. The minimum age of 18 is standard in Europe. However, Belgium has raised the age to 21 - despite the fact that fewer and fewer young people seem to be gambling there. At the same time, many Belgians are not even aware of the age restriction. And what about the access age in other countries?

It is generally accepted that young adults are particularly susceptible to the lure of gambling. The brain is not yet fully developed in this group, especially in terms of impulse control and decision-making, which makes them more susceptible than average to the emotional stimuli of such offers. Quick wins and high adrenaline rushes are critical. In order to minimize these risks, Belgium decided to raise the minimum age for almost all games of chance to 21. In Germany, the Green Party recently spoke out in favour of standardizing the age regulations.

A recent study by the Flemish Competence Center for Alcohol and Other Drugs shows that the number of young gamblers in Belgium has fallen in the last year. In addition, the minimum age for lotteries remains at 18, which raises the question of why this form of gambling is exempt, even though it can also contribute to problematic gambling behavior.

The Belgian move towards more comprehensive prevention therefore appears inconsistent in part. These developments provide an opportunity to take a look at other countries, some of which have significantly different age restrictions.

Minimum age raised to 21, but many Belgians do not even know that they have to be of legal age to play certain games of chance

Belgium has decided to raise the minimum age for almost all types of gambling to 21 in order to better protect young people from the risks. This decision was taken in February 2024 and ratified by royal decree in September 2024.

However, a recent study shows that participation in such offers is already declining among young people in Belgium. The report, which examined the behavior of young people in relation to gambling, drugs, alcohol and social media, covers the period 2022 to 2023. Only 9.7 percent of young people stated that they had played scratch cards in the last year, which is the lowest figure since the surveys began (in the Czech Republic, by the way, such lottery tickets are a serious problem). Participation in lotteries (5.3 percent) and poker (2.3 percent) is also at historic lows. This indicates that previous efforts to prevent gambling problems among young people have already had an impact.

Nevertheless, the study also revealed an alarming fact. In fact, only 77.6 percent of those surveyed were aware that you have to be at least 18 years old to buy a scratch card. This is particularly worrying, as knowledge of the age restrictions is of course crucial for dealing responsibly with games of chance.

BAGO, the association of private gambling providers in Belgium, has been critical of the new regulation. They argue that the exception for the National Lottery, which remains accessible to people aged 18 and over, is inconsistent:

“We find it illogical that raising the minimum age to 21 does not apply to all products and are therefore calling for uniform protection for young people,” they said.

Plus/minus 18: Special age restrictions for games of chance worldwide

In most countries around the world, the age limit for gambling of any kind is 18. However, there are some interesting exceptions.

Here you can actually play under the age of 18

  • Estonia: In Estonia, young people aged 16 and over can take part in the national lottery. However, other forms of gambling, such as casinos and sports betting, are only permitted from the age of 18.
  • United Kingdom: In the UK, the minimum age for most games of chance is 18. However, there are exceptions, such as scratch cards, football pools (a type of soccer betting) and lotteries, in which people as young as 16 are allowed to participate.
  • Solomon Islands: In the Solomon Islands, people aged 16 and over are allowed to participate in certain small lotteries, mainly under parental supervision or in a private setting.
  • Tuvalu: Similar to the Solomon Islands, people aged 16 and over are also allowed to play small lotteries in Tuvalu.

In many countries, the age of 21 must be reached

  • USA: In many US states, the minimum age for casino gambling is 21, especially in states such as Nevada (Las Vegas) and New Jersey (Atlantic City). This applies to both land-based casinos and some online offers (online sports betting often offers particularly generous bonuses in the United States). However, some states allow lotteries, bingo or horse racing from the age of 18.
  • Singapore: In Singapore, the minimum age for access to casinos is also 21. This applies in particular to the two large integrated resorts Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. Singapore has strict laws on gambling, which are underlined by this age limit.
  • Philippines: In the Philippines, the minimum age for gambling in casinos is also 21. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) strictly enforces the regulations.
  • Malaysia: In Malaysia, gambling offers such as those in Genting Highlands, the country's largest casino, may only be used by people aged 21 and over.
  • Egypt: In Egypt, only non-Muslims are allowed to participate in gambling - and the minimum age for entry to casinos is 21. This rule is particularly strict in tourist areas.
  • Cambodia: Cambodia only allows foreigners to enter casinos. Once again, people aged 21 or over are admitted.
  • South Korea: In South Korea, there are special casinos for tourists - and the minimum age for entry is again 21. South Koreans are not allowed to gamble in most casinos, but there is one exception. In the Kangwon Land Casino, the minimum age for locals is also 21.

Sometimes the age limit is even higher than 21

  • Greece: In Greece, the minimum age for visiting casinos is 23. This regulation applies nationwide and is stricter than in many other European countries.
  • Georgia and Malta: In licensed casinos in Georgia, the minimum age is 25. This is a special regulation for locals. Foreigners, on the other hand, are allowed to gamble from the age of 18. This regulation also applies to Malta.
  • Uganda: In Uganda, the minimum age for entry to casinos is generally 25, which is stricter than in most other countries worldwide. Uganda has relatively few casinos, but these age restrictions are rigorously enforced there.

Conclusion

By raising the minimum age to 21, Belgium is sending a strong signal for the prevention of problem gambling, even though gambling rates among young people are already on the decline. This step is likely to further reduce the already declining figures - particularly due to the additional hurdle that a higher age limit represents.However, the fact that lotteries are exempt from this rule seems strange - BOGA's criticism is absolutely understandable.

A look at international age restrictions makes it clear that there are very different approaches worldwide.While gambling is permitted from the age of 18 in most countries, there are exceptions:In Estonia and the UK, gambling is sometimes permitted from the age of 16. Countries such as the USA, Singapore and the Philippines require a minimum age of 21.In Greece and Uganda, the minimum age is 23 and 25 respectively. Belgium is therefore at the upper end of the international scale.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/teenager-sofa-smartphone-mann-7010923/

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