Gambling age and rules in United Kingdom (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: In Great Britain it is an offence to let anyone under 18 gamble, with exceptions such as lotteries and some low-stake machines. Online gambling needs a licence from the Gambling Commission.

RuleWhat applies
Minimum age for casinosGamblingIt is an offence to invite or permit a person under 18 to enter licensed casino premises, and a young person (16 or 17) commits an offence by entering. A child is under 16 and a young person is 16 or 17. [1]
Minimum age for lotteriesGambling⚠ Not yet verified
Minimum age for sports bettingGamblingIt is an offence to invite, cause or permit a person under 18 to gamble. Exceptions include private or non-commercial betting, lotteries, football pools and category D gaming machines. [2]
Online gamblingGamblingOnline gambling is legal only for licensed operators. Providing facilities for gambling without a licence or an exception is an offence, and this covers remote gambling where at least one piece of remote gambling equipment is in Great Britain. [3]
Gambling regulatorGamblingThe Gambling Commission, a body corporate set up by the Gambling Act 2005. [4]

Notes

  • The Gambling Act 2005 applies in England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has its own gambling law.
  • Section 46 of the Gambling Act 2005 exempts lotteries from the offence of inviting a child or young person to gamble, so the age is not set there.

Sources

  1. legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives): Gambling Act 2005, section 47 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives): Gambling Act 2005, section 46 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  3. legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives): Gambling Act 2005, section 33 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  4. legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives): Gambling Act 2005, section 20 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.