A few others also believe adults – and that’s the key term here – that young should have access to the regulated market. I may be in the minority regarding allowing 18-year-olds to wager legally, but I’m not alone. Many of those students are likely betting offshore or elsewhere, which is just as much of a concern as the local bookie.įind all of the best Kentucky sportsbook apps right here on. There’s no way the remaining 65.3% are all of legal age using licensed sportsbooks. Giving illegal operators any kind of head start only undermines that effort.Įven the percentage of students who said they didn’t use an on-campus bookie is a concern.

If we are going to be serious about getting bettors to wager in legal, regulated markets, we should be looking to do that as soon as possible. I’d be willing to wager that if they’re betting with a bookie at 18 or 19, they’ll probably be more inclined to keep betting that way when they turn 21. One question stood out: For those who have engaged in sports betting while in college, “Have you ever placed a bet with a local bookmaker who is a fellow student at the institution you currently attend or are earning a degree from?” What convinced me finally and firmly to make my stand at 18 was the survey results released last month by the NCAA. NCAA Survey Results Support Lowering Age Limit At the same time, I’ve understood the arguments from responsible gaming advocates who say teens are more susceptible to developing problem gambling issues. I’ve understood the desire to allow 18-year-olds to bet on sports, especially since people that age can bet on horse racing or play the lottery in most states. This is something that I’ve been ambivalent about for a long time. I’m not just saying this because of comments made earlier this month by Ohio Casino Control Commission Executive Director Matt Schuler, who told a Cincinnati TV reporter that he believes Kentucky’s age limit is “horrible.” I’m not just saying this because I’m based in Kentucky, which later this year will become the sixth state, plus the District of Columbia, to allow people that young to register for sports betting accounts. The age limit for sports betting needs to be 18 as Kentucky sports betting is advocating. However, the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. What you’re about to read will likely be dismissed by many in the gaming industry as something that can’t be seriously considered.

Sports betting age