The Quick Answer: 18 in Most States
In the vast majority of U.S. states, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase scratch-off lottery tickets. However, four states set the bar higher, and one state requires you to be 19. Here’s the complete breakdown.
States Where You Must Be 21 to Buy Scratch-Offs
Four states require buyers to be 21 years old — the same age as alcohol and casino gambling:
- Arizona — Must be 21 for all lottery products
- Iowa — Must be 21
- Louisiana — Must be 21 (strict ID enforcement)
- Mississippi — Must be 21
If you’re 18-20 and visiting one of these states, you cannot legally buy scratch-off tickets even though you could in your home state.
The One State Where You Must Be 19
Nebraska requires lottery buyers to be 19 years old — matching their general age of majority for other activities like signing contracts.
Complete State-by-State Age Requirement Table
| Minimum Age | States |
|---|---|
| 18 | Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| 19 | Nebraska |
| 21 | Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi |
| No lottery | Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah |
Can Minors Receive Scratch-Off Tickets as Gifts?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions about lottery age rules, especially around birthdays and holidays. The answer varies by state:
States That Allow Gifting to Minors
Several states explicitly allow adults to purchase scratch-off tickets as gifts for minors. Texas law, for example, states that “a person 18 years of age or older may purchase a ticket to give as a gift to another person, including an individual younger than 18 years of age.”
States That Prohibit It
Some states prohibit minors from possessing or redeeming lottery tickets regardless of how they obtained them. In these states, gifting a scratch-off to a minor is technically illegal — even if the minor can’t purchase one themselves.
Best Practice
Even where technically legal, giving scratch-off tickets to minors is discouraged by responsible gambling organizations. Research shows that early exposure to gambling products correlates with higher rates of problem gambling in adulthood. If a minor receives a winning ticket, an adult typically must claim the prize on their behalf.
What Happens If an Underage Person Buys a Ticket?
Consequences vary by state but can include:
- For the minor: Confiscation of the ticket, potential misdemeanor charge (rarely enforced), forfeiture of any prize
- For the retailer: Fines ranging from $200-$10,000, suspension or revocation of lottery retailer license, potential criminal charges for repeat offenses
If an underage person presents a winning ticket for redemption, most states will void the prize. The lottery commission typically will not pay out winnings to anyone who was underage at the time of purchase.
Age Requirements for Online Lottery
Online lottery platforms (both state websites and courier services) enforce the same age minimums as in-store purchases. Age verification is typically more rigorous online:
- Government-issued ID required during account registration
- SSN verification in some states
- Age confirmed against public records databases
- Some platforms require photo ID upload
Unlike in-store purchases where a young-looking buyer might slip by without being carded, online platforms have mandatory age verification for every account — no exceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 16-year-old scratch a ticket that someone else bought?
Technically, the purchase restriction applies to buying, not scratching. However, if the minor presents a winning ticket for payment, most states will ask for ID and refuse to pay out to an underage person. An adult would need to claim the prize.
Why is the age 21 in some states but 18 in others?
States that set the lottery age at 21 typically did so to align with their casino gambling age (21 in most states) or in response to problem gambling concerns. The states that use 18 generally view lottery tickets as a lower-risk form of gambling more similar to tobacco purchases than casino gambling.
Do stores actually check ID for scratch-off purchases?
It depends on the retailer and the buyer’s appearance. Most states require retailers to verify age if the buyer appears under 27-30. Self-service lottery vending machines increasingly require ID scanning (Texas implemented this in 2025). Online purchases always require age verification.
Can I buy scratch-offs at 18 if I’m visiting a state where the age is 18, but my home state requires 21?
Yes. The age requirement is based on the state where you’re making the purchase, not your home state. An 18-year-old from Arizona (age 21 state) can legally buy scratch-offs while visiting California (age 18 state).
Is there a maximum age for buying scratch-offs?
No. There is no upper age limit. As long as you’re above the minimum age and mentally competent to make a purchase, you can buy scratch-off tickets at any age.
