Legal Age

[blf2much]

What should be the legal age for gambling? I think it is okay at 18 because you are considered an adult. But then again, you arent allowed to drink alcohol in some places until you are 21. So what should it be?

[mollila]

Originally Posted by blf2much But then again, you arent allowed to drink alcohol in some places until you are 21.

That is one aspect of America that I never quite understand

As for gambling, I'd say the 18 is fine. Old enought to work, earn money, lose it, and take responsibility of your actions.

[rjcon]

Yeah, it should be 18. If you are a legal adult at 18, why shouldn't you be able to gamble? But then again, I think the same thing should be said for the drinking age, too. The way I look at it--you can go into the Army at 18, right? You can fight with guns and tank and grenades and all that with the permission of Uncle Sam at age 18, but don't even think about sitting back and having a nice cold beer and gambling a pot or two when you are back in the barracks. Sounds kinda stupid, you ask me.

[MasterMind]

All over the world 18 is the beginning of adulthood, even though in some countries young people have to wait until 21 for both drinking and playing.

Therefore some countries grant limted access to people as young as 16 in age.

[r8rpwr]

In general, I tend to agree with 18.

But then I start remembering myself at 18 vs. 21, and start to maybe reconsider.

[penguinmama]

Originally Posted by rjcon Yeah, it should be 18. If you are a legal adult at 18, why shouldn't you be able to gamble? But then again, I think the same thing should be said for the drinking age, too. The way I look at it--you can go into the Army at 18, right? You can fight with guns and tank and grenades and all that with the permission of Uncle Sam at age 18, but don't even think about sitting back and having a nice cold beer and gambling a pot or two when you are back in the barracks. Sounds kinda stupid, you ask me.

This is my thoughts on the matter, as well. If our boys (and girls!) can DIE for their country at 18, certainly they should be allowed to make other life-affecting decisions at 18 as well. Nearly everything in the US is based on "over 18" or "under 18" so gambling ought to be as well.

[AllEars]

Good point penguin!
In Finland young people are allowed to play slot machines (in stores and caf?s etc) at the age of 15, which is the age you're allowed to work full-time, too. Gambling halls and the casino are restricted to 18-year-olds