Online Casino Age Restrictions: Comparison by Jurisdiction

1) Age threshold value in gambling

Age restrictions are one of the key tools for responsible gambling regulation. They are determined by the jurisdiction that issued the casino license, and may differ even between countries with similar laws. For the player, non-compliance with the age requirement threatens to cancel winnings and block the account.

2) Australia

Minimum age: 18 in all states and territories.

There are no exceptions - even when participating in international casinos.

Operators are required to conduct KYC checks to confirm age.

3) Comparison by key international jurisdictions

Jurisdiction	Minimum age	Features
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)	18 years	Unified for all operators licensed by MGA.
UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)	18 years	Tight control, instant age verification at registration.
Curacao eGaming	18 years (sometimes 21 depending on license)	Requirements vary by sublicense, it is important to check the conditions of a particular operator.
Gibraltar	18 years	Strict KYC standards, blocking underage accounts.
Isle of Man	18 years	Full verification before admission to rates.
United States (online)	21 in most states	There are exceptions - 18 years in some regions.
Canada	19 years in most provinces, 18 years in Quebec and Alberta	Differences depend on provincial laws.
New Zealand	20 years for some types of offline games, 18 years for online games	Online regulation is more lenient.

4) Why there are differences

Cultural and social norms - In some countries, gambling is equated with alcohol or tobacco, raising the age threshold.

Regulatory goals are to protect young people and reduce the risk of gambling addiction.

License type - some jurisdictions allow operators to independently choose the age threshold within the permitted range.

5) Risks for players when breaking the age limit

1. Cancellation of winnings - the casino may refuse to pay out if a violation is detected.

2. Account blocking - no refund on the balance.

3. Problems with the law - in some countries, playing minors is classified as an administrative or criminal offense.

6) Recommendations for Australian players

Always check the license terms of a particular casino.

Verify using real documents.

Avoid offshore sites where requirements are not transparent or differ from Australian standards.

Consider that some tournaments, bonuses and promotions may have separate age restrictions.

7) Conclusion

The age threshold for gambling varies across jurisdictions from 18 to 21. For Australians, the basic requirement is 18, but when playing in international casinos it's important to check licence rules to avoid blocking and losing winnings.