Are you thinking about going on a vacation and visiting a casino while you're there? Do you know how old you must be to enter a casino? Or to gamble there?
All casinos are accessible without charge but smart dress is required. There is a minimum age requirement of 18 for visitors and 21 for locals in all casinos. The casinos accept only Hong Kong dollars and Macau Patacas and guests can exchange money either at casino counters or the nearby banks. Casinos in Macau Peninsular.
Well, you're in luck because we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the legal age to gamble all over the world! There are different minimum ages and regulations for most countries. Remember, it's essential to stay legal when traveling.
- Business Intelligence, Macau Business, MAG They say it takes time to make good decisions but for lawmaker Kwan Tsui Hang there isn't much to think about. She is questioning why it is taking so.
- Interactive games of fortune and chance cannot be exploited by gaming concessionaires under Law no. 16/2001; such Law, in its article 4, states that interactive gaming concessions are separate from concessions for the operation of games of fortune and chance in casinos in Macau. Hence, all forms of online gambling in Macau are considered outlawed.
The United States
One of the biggest attractions of the United States is its world-famous casinos. People travel from far and wide to visit Las Vegas and its infamous casino strip.
There is no national age minimum to gamble in the United States. Instead, each state controls what the legal age to gamble is. The ages range from 18 to 21, but in most states they stick with 21 because they also sell alcohol in the casinos.
Even where the legal minimum is 21, they sometimes allow 18 -year-olds to buy scratch cards, lottery tickets, and bingo. Again, this varies from state to state, so check out the places you will be visiting.
Legal Age To Enter Casino In Macau 2019
Canada
The legal age to gamble in Canada is between 18 to 19 (source: https://online.casino/canada/), depending on the Province you visit. In British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan, the minimum age is 19. In Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, the age is 18.
Legal Age To Enter Casino
Both online and real casinos are legal in Canada; however, there are a lot of illegal online casinos to be wary about. Make sure the casinos you are playing at are licensed, to avoid legal troubles down the road.
China
In China, all forms of gambling are illegal, no matter what age you are. This includes online gaming, as well.
There are some exceptions, though. In Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, some forms of gambling are allowed. They have two national lotteries available, but only to play in person, not online.
There is the Welfare Lottery, which is regulated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Also, there is the Sports Lottery. The General Administration of Sports governs this lottery.
Even though it is illegal, the people of China are protesting to make gambling legal. We recommend that if you are visiting China, to stay away from any gambling because it is likely illegal, which can cause serious troubles for you if you are arrested as a foreigner.
The United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the minimum legal age to gamble depends on what type of gambling it is. For most gambling activities, like real casinos, online casinos, sports betting, and bingo, the legal age is 18.
However, it is possible to participate in some gambling at the age of 16 legally. You can purchase lottery tickets and bet on football pools, and other low stakes gambling.
We encourage you to take part in gambling in the United Kingdom if you are 18 or older because it is entirely legal. If you are between 16 to 18, we would recommend making sure that your gambling activities are permitted for your age group.
Netherlands
When in Europe, everyone wants to visit Amsterdam. ‘The Dam' offers a unique traveler experience, including its casinos. The legal age for gambling in the Netherlands is 18 years old.
The Holland Casino Group owns all of the casinos, and the revenue goes to the Dutch Treasury. There is no online gambling in the Netherlands. If you are found participating in online gambling on foreign sites, there is a fine, but no further punishments.
Our recommendation is to only participate in land-based casinos in the Netherlands, and only once you are over the age of 18.
Brazil
In Brazil, gambling is prohibited, so there is no legal minimum age. However, some places do offer illegal gambling, and in those places, the minimum age is 18 years old.
There is not the political power to shut down the casinos, and they are run unlawfully. This creates a high risk for players. We do not recommend you go to casinos while in Brazil because they are not subject to any formal regulations.
Australia
In Australia, the minimum age to gamble in both online and real casinos is 18. This goes for betting actual money and also for free play.
The Australian federal and state governments control gambling outlets offering real money games. We recommend that when you are in Australia, only go to legal and regulated casinos once you're 18 or older.
Japan
Gambling in Japan is illegal in many cases. The country does permit betting on sports and horse racing. Placing money on these events in Japan is only for people who are 20 or older.
They do allow some gambling games, specifically pachinko. For this game, you only have to be 18 to play with real money. These places are heavily controlled and regulated with spending limits.
The Bottom Line
The United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the minimum legal age to gamble depends on what type of gambling it is. For most gambling activities, like real casinos, online casinos, sports betting, and bingo, the legal age is 18.
However, it is possible to participate in some gambling at the age of 16 legally. You can purchase lottery tickets and bet on football pools, and other low stakes gambling.
We encourage you to take part in gambling in the United Kingdom if you are 18 or older because it is entirely legal. If you are between 16 to 18, we would recommend making sure that your gambling activities are permitted for your age group.
Netherlands
When in Europe, everyone wants to visit Amsterdam. ‘The Dam' offers a unique traveler experience, including its casinos. The legal age for gambling in the Netherlands is 18 years old.
The Holland Casino Group owns all of the casinos, and the revenue goes to the Dutch Treasury. There is no online gambling in the Netherlands. If you are found participating in online gambling on foreign sites, there is a fine, but no further punishments.
Our recommendation is to only participate in land-based casinos in the Netherlands, and only once you are over the age of 18.
Brazil
In Brazil, gambling is prohibited, so there is no legal minimum age. However, some places do offer illegal gambling, and in those places, the minimum age is 18 years old.
There is not the political power to shut down the casinos, and they are run unlawfully. This creates a high risk for players. We do not recommend you go to casinos while in Brazil because they are not subject to any formal regulations.
Australia
In Australia, the minimum age to gamble in both online and real casinos is 18. This goes for betting actual money and also for free play.
The Australian federal and state governments control gambling outlets offering real money games. We recommend that when you are in Australia, only go to legal and regulated casinos once you're 18 or older.
Japan
Gambling in Japan is illegal in many cases. The country does permit betting on sports and horse racing. Placing money on these events in Japan is only for people who are 20 or older.
They do allow some gambling games, specifically pachinko. For this game, you only have to be 18 to play with real money. These places are heavily controlled and regulated with spending limits.
The Bottom Line
Around the world, there are different regulations based on the country you are in. Always make sure what you are doing in other countries is legal according to their local laws.
Gambling is a fun activity, especially when you are on vacation. In most countries, the minimum age to gamble is 18, but not everywhere. Make sure you follow the rules and always enjoy safe gambling.
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Last Updated: November 6, 2014 – Macau is now the richest casino destination in the world. In 2013, their 35 casinos (with 8 more casinos on its way) generated USD $45 billion (HKD $348.9 billion) in gross gambling wins. This is more than every casino in the entire United States combined. It is because they are the only jurisdiction of Chinese sovereignty with legal casino gambling that we achieved such success. In 2012, they had 25,055,704 visitors from Chinese jurisdictions (Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) which accounted for 89.22% of our overall visits.
While this article is placed in our section: Gambling Laws by Country it would be difficult to understand Macau without also understanding our unique history and culture. For that reason, this article covers our laws in brief, a detailed historical account of Macau gambling during our 442 years as a Portuguese administration and concludes by touching on the conversion to Macau SAR of China which began 20 December 1999.
Macau Gambling Laws
The gambling laws of Macau are rather complex but only for those in the gambling business. In short, as a player – all you really need to know is locals must be age 21 to gamble in casinos, age 18 for other forms of gambling, and cheating is a serious crime. Other than that, not much is illegal here as a player.
We have casino, horse race betting, greyhounds, sports betting, lottery and poker rooms and even prostitution is allowed. Another interesting fact is in 2011 the government acknowledged Macau has no online gambling laws. It is in no way illegal to use websites such as www.bet365.com from your Macau residence or hotel room to play online poker, casino games, bet sports or races.
As China Gambling Law, Hong Kong Gambling Law, and Taiwan Gambling Law prohibit most forms of online gambling this is good information to know. If you live in one of these places, you can open a Bet365 account at home and during your trips to Macau you can do online gambling 100% legally.
Getting back on the topic, Wikipedia Entry: Macau Gambling Law explains that our gaming law is not a branch of law but rather a large collection of legal topics related to gambling that include constitutional law, administrative law, tax law, company law, contract law and criminal law. Most of what we have is gaming regulations such as: what games casinos can offer, their guidelines, tax rates, licensing, and complaint resolution. Our criminal law covers cheating, money laundering, and running non-licensed gambling houses. Our civil laws deals with contracts and it does state gambling debt is enforceable.
This is a huge topic that Macau University offers a Bachelor's degree course on. If you have a sincere interest their course overview contains a list of laws you can research. Many laws are also referenced in this 13 Page Macau Casino Law Report. The actual laws themselves can be found by market segment on this page of DIJC's website. DICJ is Direcção de Inspecção e Coordenação de Jogos which is Portuguese for Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. They are our industry's regulator and the laws are only available in Chinese and Portuguese. After reading the rest of this article you might better understand why.
Macau Culture and History
An important thing to understand is nowhere else did two vastly different cultures co-mingle longer than in Macau.
In the photos shown, the one on the bottom right is Sanedo Square. Mustang money slot machine online, free. This is a 2km walk from major casinos Grand Lisboa (shown in the background of the photo top left) and Wynn Macau. Along the way you'll find both low-end and high-end shopping and food ranging from noodle vendors to Asian street food and western fast food to both Portuguese and Chinese fine dining.
Sanedo Square is one of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Macau. If you didn't know otherwise (and other than the fact most everyone is Chinese) standing here – you could easily convince yourself that you were in Europe. If you walk upwards you will find the amazing ruins of St. Paul also shown in the photos and a historic museum. Between all this are Asian shops selling beef jerky, street food vendors and all sorts of things that are clearly Chinese.
This all explained by the fact Macau was the oldest and last European colony in Asia. Settlers came here as early as 1513, and beginning in 1557 this was a trade-port city leased by the Chinese empire to Portugal. In 1887 we became a Portuguese colony. During this era we operated similar to being our own country and in 1906 began printing the Macanese Pataca (MOP) which is still the currency used today.
On 20 December 1999 Macau sovereignty was transferred to China. Today we are a special administrative region (SAR) of China with our own passports, currency, government, laws and courts. While considered 'technically' the same country, residents of Mainland China need a visa to visit Macau – something not required for visitors from Hong Kong or Taiwan.
The facts we border Mainland China's most populated province Guangdong (广东省), are accessible by the South China Sea, and are a short boat ferry ride from Hong Kong, and have legal gambling, prostitution, and many attractions – then and still today – has Macau as the hottest spot to visit in the region.
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