How old do you have to be to gamble on horses in IL?

Question

Can't find this anywhere on the internet. Does anyone know?

Answer 1

It's most likely 18...That's the gambling age in all the states I've been in.

Answer 2

18

Answer 3

ILLINOIS

Illinois is unique in defining a minor (at least under the horse-racing statutes) as "any individual under the age of 17 years." Illinois Revised Statutes ch.230, §5/3.08. The state also makes a distinction between casino gambling run by charities -- age 18 -- and casino gambling run for profit on riverboats -- age 21.

Lottery: In 1997 the State Legislature made it more difficult for anyone under 18 to play the State Lottery. It repealed a statute which had allowed adults to purchase tickets as gifts for children, and added a provision forbidding payment of prizes to minors under 18. HB1802, amending 20 ILCS §1605/15 and repealing 1605/18. Selling a ticket to anyone under the age of 18 is a Class B misdemeanor for the first offense, a Class 4 felony for subsequent violations. A minor who buys a lottery ticket is guilty of a petty offense. Id. at §1605/15.

Parimutuel betting: Minors (defined as those under 17) are forbidden from being admitted as a patron during a racing program unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Exceptions are made for employees, licensees, owners, trainers, jockeys, or drivers. Id. at ch. 230, §5/26.

Casinos and slots: The state has both riverboat and charity casinos. The state Riverboat Gambling Act prohibits any person under 21 from even being permitted on an area of a riverboat where gambling is being conducted. A riverboat casino operator was fined and a guard fired for allowing a mother with her infant in a baby carriage onboard. It is a Class B misdemeanor to permit "a person under 21 years to make a wager." Id. at ch.230, Act 10, §18. An exception is made for employees, but workers must be at least 21 to perform any function involved in gambling. Id. at §10/11. Illinois charitable casinos do a multimillion dollar business. The "Charitable Games Act" allows the following games: roulette, blackjack, poker, pull-tabs, craps, bang, beat the dealer, big six, gin rummy, five card stud poker, chuck-a-luck, keno, hold-em poker, and merchandise wheel with a $10 maximum bet. Unlike for-profit riverboat casinos, charity casinos are open to anyone over 18. Id. at §30/8.

Bingo and pull-tabs: Minimum age for bingo and pull-tabs is 18. Id. at ch.230, §§20/4 and 25/2. In fact, persons under 18 may not be in the area where bingo is being played unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.