If you are under the age of 21 and decide to try your luck in a Las Vegas casino, you are committing a criminal offense and could lose more than a few chips if you’re convicted.
The legal age for gambling in the state of Nevada is 21. NRS 463.350 provides that a person under the age of 21 shall not:
- Play, be allowed to play, place wagers at, or collect winnings from, whether personally or through an agent, any gambling game, slot machine, race book, sports pool or pari-mutuel operator.
- Loiter, or be permitted to loiter, in or about any room or premises wherein any licensed game, race book, sports pool or pari-mutuel wagering is operated or conducted.
- Be employed as a gaming employee except in a counting room.
This means that just hanging out in a casino if you’re underage is a crime. Furthermore, parents take note: the law provides that anyone who “permits the violation of any of the provisions of this section” is guilty of a crime as well.
A violation of NRS 463.350 is a Nevada misdemeanor than upon conviction could result in a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.
In addition to facing these penalties, you will be kicked out of the casino immediately and, importantly, would not be allowed to keep any significant winnings from your time in the casino.
If you acquired a fake ID in order to gamble, drink alcohol, or buy cigarettes in Las Vegas, you are committing a separate misdemeanor offense that can also lead to up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines.
If you have been charged with a crime in Las Vegas, please contact one of our experienced Las Vegas criminal defense lawyers 24/7 to schedule a FREE consultation. We may be able to get your charges reduced or even dismissed altogether. And if necessary, we will champion your case all the way to trial.
