What is the legal age for mobile gambling on my phone?

I've just got a brand new Sony Xperia S android phone and I've been installing apps of all descriptions, including gambling apps. So far I've downloaded the Paddy Power app and the Bwin Poker apps.

I'm 17 at the moment (I'll be 18 in September) so can anyone tell me what the legal as is for mobile betting in the United Kingdom. Is it the same as age requirement for betting online or in a bookmakers?

With the European Championships coming up I'd like to be able to place the odd bet from my phone. The Olympics are also being held in London this summer so it would also be great to have a sports betting app for that.

 

I don't think there is one universal legal ago for mobile betting. It will depend on the laws in your jurisdiction. I know that in the United States the legal age for online gambling varies from state to state. In New York for instance it is 18 while if you go to the gambling mecca that is Las Vegas you need to be 21. I think the legal gambling age in Canada is 19 although I could be wrong.

Anyway, it will depend wholly on where you are living. I'm guessing from your interest in the Olympics you are based in the UK?

 

Thanks for the info Donald. Yes, I live in Manchester. I know the legal age for placing bets in a bookmakers is 18 but you are allowed to buy lottery tickets when you are 16 so I'm not sure what the legal age is for mobile sports betting.

 

I'm pretty sure the legal age would be 18 for mobile betting also....

 

I think in some jurisdictions it is only 17

 

well you're going to need a credit card to use any of the gambling apps and as far as i'm aware banks don't give these to children so i don't think it's an issue.

 

But how is a minor supposed to buy Bitcoin if they don't own a bank account or if they don't have credit cards?

 

does my legal gambling age change if i go on vacation to another country or does it depend on which country i'm a citizen of?

 

If the US government doesn't consider DraftKings or FanDuel to be gambling sites then does that mean that there are no age restrictions? Can an 11 year old enter a fantasy sports betting contest?

 

No you need to be at least 18 to bet with any of these fantasy betting sites. Alabama and Nebraska citizens need to be at least 19. Most teens don't have credit cards anyway so it would be difficult for them to fund their betting accounts.

 

At bitcoin gambling sites they don't even ask you for your age. They just look for a username and password and that's it. Totally anonymous.

 

I think it's unfair to blame bitcoin for underage gambling. Many kinds in the US now have access to credit cards or they can buy prepaid ones to use online pretty easily.