How Do US Casino Operators Prevent Underage Gambling?
In the US, it is the responsibility of different states to set the legal gambling age. Preventing underage gambling is an essential part of promoting safe and responsible gambling. Children are more vulnerable than adults and can suffer severe consequences when they gamble. Both legislators, casinos, and parents have a responsibility to take steps to reduce the number of underage gamblers.
How old is old enough to gamble?
In most states, the minimum gambling age is 21 for casino games and sports betting. For bingo games and the lottery, the minimum age is usually 18.
Physical casinos
Security personnel patrol the casino floor at US physical casinos. If they suspect a gambler is underage, they will request verification. Underage gamblers will be escorted off the premises and handed over to the police. There is a chance that they will receive a fine or some other form of punishment. In some states like New Jersey, fines can be hefty. Casinos should collaborate with educational institutions and provide them with resources to help children understand the consequences of underage gambling.
Online casinos
Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures require an online casino to verify the age and identity of users when they sign up. Before using a casino games app to play online games, a user must provide a social security number or a copy of a passport or driver’s license. However, this doesn’t prevent minors from lying about their age and using their parents’ details and credit cards to sign up. Online casinos that use biometric verification can prevent this from happening. If erratic betting behavior and other anomalies take place, this alerts casinos that a player may be underage and they will shut down the account.
Identifying games that attract underage gamblers
Underage children can participate legally in various gambling-adjacent activities such as eGaming and in-app purchases. It is important to identify the most appealing and accessible types of gambling to prevent them from getting involved.
Social casino games
Social casino games are games of chance like slots that are free to play. They don’t involve real money but players need to make in-app purchases to continue playing or access more features. Familiarity with social casino games can increase the risks of underage gambling.
When playing games like this, children should have access to resources for support and assistance. For example, they should be aware that continuously threatening someone while playing online games is illegal and they can report it. Educational campaigns can make a difference when targeted at games that attract underage players.
Fantasy sports
Fantasy sports are legal in many states, and young sports fans may lie about their ages to compete. Players form virtual teams of real professional athletes and compete against other players in a league.
Putting responsible gaming policies in place
Casinos must have responsible gaming policies in place. This may include setting deposit limits and offering resources and support to anyone who could develop a gambling problem. A casino or sportsbook that does not comply with KYC procedures may get a fine or even lose a license.
Legislators also need to educate young people about the dangers of addiction. States can help to empower families with knowledge and tools to address underage gambling proactively. Underage gamblers should be made fully aware of the risks they take when gambling.
Parents have access to parental controls and filters they can use to prevent minor children from accessing gambling and sports betting sites. They need to be sensitive to the rights of minors when dealing with adult children about this issue. This involves keeping communication channels open and focusing on increasing awareness about the risks.
When legislators, educators, casinos, and parents all work together, this is the best way to prevent underage gambling.
