Las Vegas. Sin City. It is a place where incredible nights and indescribable days come to be. Anyone and everyone has heard of Vegas and knows that the main attraction is gambling. But if you plan to go in the near future, it helps to know the minimum gambling age in the desert oasis.
Millions of people play at online casinos each and every day. While the experience comes close to mimicking the real casino floor, it isn’t quite there. And no online casino can hope to match the experience of going to Las Vegas.
Going to Vegas, even for a weekend, is a dream trip for many. The allure of heading to Sin City is to enjoy the gambling scene, rife with massive casinos. But how old do you have to be to partake in the gambling that Vegas has to offer?
The Allure of Vegas
One of the things that makes Las Vegas, Nevada a destination is that there are limitless options. That said, the casinos are the primary destination and have been for decades. With legendary institutions like the Bellagio, the Wynn, the Venetian, and so many more, you can enjoy the bright lights of Las Vegas from right in the heart of it.
Each casino is massive, featuring a built-in hotel, restaurants, entertainment, and more. Staying at one of these iconic institutions feels like a whole experience to itself. Add in the hundreds of casino games and it is easy to see why it is such a draw.
From a gambling perspective, it helps that there is a little something for everyone. If you like to play slots, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of machines to choose from. Each has a different theme, limits ranging from penny to high roller, and some even offer the chance to win jackpots of well over $1 million.
There are blackjack tables with wide-ranging limits so that everyone can partake and enjoy themselves. Baccarat, craps, roulette, poker, and a whole array of game variations can be played 24 hours a day. For those who like to gamble, it is called “The Mecca” for a reason.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Gamble in Vegas?
Now comes the real question: “How old do you have to be to gamble in Vegas?” Though it is a hedonist destination, there are rules. And like the rest of the United States, the rules dictate that all players must be at least 21 years old in order to play.
Each establishment that offers gambling has to get a license from The Nevada Gaming Commission. Whether it be for a handful of slots or a full-service casino, the same rules apply. Both the Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board fully expect license holders to adhere to the regulations and laws that have been put into place to protect the perception and integrity of the gaming industry as a whole.
Failing to adhere to those stringent rules comes with heavy penalties. Like the six-figure-fine kind of penalty. There are even some cases where an establishment can have its license revoked without measures to improve security.
For that reason, casinos and any other establishment that offers gambling is strict about the “21 or older” rule. More importantly, the casinos aren’t the only ones being governed here. Anyone caught trying to play at a casino that is underage faces penalty as well.
In Nevada, anyone gambling in a casino that is under the age of 21 faces a fine of up to $1,000 and a jail sentence of up to 6 months. At the very least, expect to sit in a jail cell for a night and be forced to stare down expensive legal bills.
There are stories of underage gamblers who have won massive jackpots only to be forced to give them up because they were underage. Vegas staff has been trained to spot a fake, which means there is an exceptional chance of getting caught.
What is There to Do if You’re Not 21?
While it might be a bummer to have to miss out on the legendary gambling scene, all is not lost. As it turns out, Vegas is a hub of entertainment like few others on the planet. Even if you are under 21, there are so many things to do.
Some strip hotels allow 18-and-up clients, though not all of them will. That said, it is best to enjoy the various events and entertainment destinations that Vegas has to offer.
Concerts
One of the biggest entertainment draws for Vegas is concerts. Though Vegas is known for having massive stars play residency concerts at local casinos, that may not necessarily be an option for the 21-and-under crowd.
Thankfully, there are many other festivals and venues to choose from. Life is Beautiful, When We Were Young, and the I-Heart Music Festival are just a few to roll into town. Then there’s the Las Vegas Event Center for most other acts. If you’re in town when Adele or Taylor Swift come, Allegiant Stadium will be thumping with their rhymes.
The Sphere, a new venue in the city, is a popular place for concerts.
Sphere in Las Vegas is live music at its best. Not just for the visuals but for the sound quality. Videos don’t come close to doing it justice. It’s unlike anything you have ever experienced.
Thankful to have attended opening night with U2, and again tonight for @deadandcompany. pic.twitter.com/noLlrvygLn
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 17, 2024
Sporting Events
For decades, sports in Las Vegas was nothing more than a pipe dream. The only sports interaction you would find came in the form of casino sportsbooks. Now, Vegas is slowly becoming a hub of major sporting activity.
During the fall, winter, and spring, the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL) ply their craft. The Knights, despite coming into existence in 2017-18, have already won a Stanley Cup championship.
At the aforementioned Allegient Stadium, the former Oakland Raiders make their home. The black and silver lifestyle of Raider Nation is a perfect fit for the “sin city” lifestyle that Vegas has to offer.
Finally, the city is expected to take another team from Oakland in the near future. The Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) are expected to move to the desert within the next few years.
Niche Entertainment
Even if you have gone to all the concerts and sporting events you can stomach, that doesn’t even come close to the end of entertainment in Vegas. No matter what your interests may be, there is a little bit of something for everyone.
Unique destinations like the Pinball Museum allow you to step into the heart of an American classic. Neo Paseo offers an energy that can’t be beat and the club scene is one of the best in the world.
Go-carts, arcades, museums, and more can all be enjoyed. The outdoor enthusiast will also have a ton to see, especially given that Mt. Charleston, Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, and Red Rock Canyon are all within an hour.
Whatever you could possibly hope to see or do in Vegas can be achieved. Even if you are 21, taking a trip to Las Vegas can create the kind of memories that last a lifetime. And when you finally come of age, there is just one more thing to love.
