The legal gambling age in Nebraska depends on what you want to play. You must be 18 for charitable bingo and pickle cards, 19 for the state lottery and keno, and 21 for casino games, sports betting, and horse racing.1Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Code 43-2101 – Persons Under Nineteen Years of Age Declared Minors Nebraska is one of only two states where the age of majority is 19 rather than 18, which is why the lottery and keno thresholds here are higher than visitors expect.
Quick Reference by Activity
- Charitable bingo — 18
- Pickle cards (pull-tabs) — 18
- State lottery (scratch-offs, Powerball, draw games) — 19
- Keno — 19
- Daily fantasy sports — 19 (set by the platforms, not by statute)
- Casino games at licensed racetracks — 21
- Sports betting — 21
- Pari-mutuel horse racing wagers — 21
- Tribal casinos — set by each tribe (one Nebraska venue requires 19)
Age 21: Casinos, Sports Betting, and Horse Racing
The highest threshold applies to the activities most people picture when they think of gambling. If you’re under 21, you can’t play.
Casino Games at Licensed Racetracks
Nebraska authorized casino-style gambling through a 2020 constitutional amendment and limited it to licensed racetrack enclosures. Under the Racetrack Gaming Act, no one younger than 21 may play any game of chance or use any gaming device at one of these facilities.2Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act – Section 9-1104 That includes slot machines, table games, and electronic wagering terminals. The rule covers presence as well as play — you can’t be on the gaming floor at all if you’re underage.
Sports Wagering
Sports betting carries the same 21-year minimum. The designated sports wagering area at each licensed racetrack must be physically inaccessible to anyone under 21, with posted signage at every entrance.3Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Code 9-1110 – Sports Wagering Nebraska does not allow online or mobile sports betting, so every wager has to be placed in person at one of these facilities.
Horse Racing
Pari-mutuel wagering on horse races also requires you to be 21. Many states allow horse racing bets at 18 or 19, so this one catches people off guard. Knowingly helping someone under 21 place a horse racing bet is a Class I misdemeanor, carrying up to a year in jail and a fine up to $1,000.4Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Code 2-1207 – Parimutuel Wagering
Age 19: Lottery, Keno, and Daily Fantasy Sports
The middle tier tracks Nebraska’s age of majority.
State Lottery
You must be 19 to buy a Nebraska Lottery ticket, whether that’s a scratch-off or a draw game like Powerball. If someone under 19 ends up holding a winning ticket, the prize is paid to a parent, guardian, or custodian rather than the minor.5Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Code 9-823 – Tax Commissioner Buying a ticket when you’re under 19 is a Class IV misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.6Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Code 9-814 – Prohibited Acts, Violations, Penalties
Lottery tickets are a popular gift, but the Nebraska Lottery advises giving them only to recipients who are at least 19. The age restriction applies to redeeming prizes just as much as to buying tickets, so a ticket handed to a 17-year-old creates a problem if it actually wins.7Nebraska Lottery. Nebraska Lottery Tickets Make Great Gifts, If You’re At Least 19
Keno
County and city lotteries, the game Nebraskans know as keno, follow the same 19-year threshold. No one under 19 may play, and no operator or employee may knowingly allow it.8Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Code 9-646 – Participation, Restrictions Keno lounges are common in Nebraska restaurants and bars, so this rule comes up often.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports are largely unregulated in Nebraska. No state statute directly addresses them. Major operators like DraftKings and FanDuel voluntarily require Nebraska users to be at least 19, matching the state’s age of majority, and because there is no state licensing framework, enforcement is left to the platforms themselves.
Age 18: Charitable Bingo and Pickle Cards
Nebraska’s lowest gambling age applies to charitable gaming. Bingo games run by religious, charitable, or fraternal organizations are open to anyone 18 and older.9Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Code 9-241.08 – Participation, Restrictions The legislature set a lower bar here because proceeds go to a nonprofit cause rather than a commercial operator.
Pickle cards, Nebraska’s version of pull-tab lottery tickets sold at bars and charitable events, follow the same 18-year minimum.10FindLaw. Nebraska Code 9-345 – Participation, Age Limitation Organizations that allow underage participation risk losing their gaming permit.
Tribal Casinos
Nebraska has a handful of tribal casinos that operate under federal Indian gaming law rather than state statute, and each tribe sets its own age policy. Native Star Casino on the Winnebago reservation, for example, requires guests to be 19, matching the state’s age of majority rather than the 21 required at state-licensed racetrack casinos. Policies can vary from one tribal venue to another, so call ahead or check the casino’s website before you go.
Penalties for Underage Gambling
The consequences scale with the activity. An underage person who participates in a game of chance at a licensed racetrack commits a Class I misdemeanor, carrying up to one year in jail and a fine up to $1,000, and anyone who knowingly allows the person to gamble faces the same charge.11Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act – Section 9-1115 Helping someone under 21 place a pari-mutuel horse racing bet is also a Class I misdemeanor.4Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Code 2-1207 – Parimutuel Wagering Buying a lottery ticket while under 19 is a Class IV misdemeanor, with no jail time but a fine of up to $500.12Nebraska Legislature. Nebraska Code 28-106 – Misdemeanor Categories, Penalties
What to Bring for ID
Every gambling venue in Nebraska requires valid, government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a current Nebraska driver’s license, a state-issued ID card, a U.S. military ID, or a passport. The document must be unexpired. Staff will reject an expired ID even if the birthdate clearly shows you’re old enough, and casino and racetrack security check both the photo and the birthdate before letting you into any gaming area.
If you’re visiting from a state where the casino age is 18, remember that Nebraska’s 21-year requirement for racetrack casinos will stop you at the door at 19 or 20.