Do Casinos Accept Passports? [Acceptable Forms of ID]

In the United States of America, there are plenty of circumstances in which you are obliged to present your ID. Whether it’s something as simple as buying a beer, renting a car, getting into a club, or entering Las Vegas casinos.

This could raise follow-up questions: What forms of ID do casinos accept? Can you get into a casino with a passport?

Let’s find out.

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Casino ID Requirements: What Are They?

First, let’s settle down some misconceptions about the casino entry requirements. Contrary to common logic, you are not obliged to present any form of ID while entering a casino building. There are no specific laws in the US requiring someone to present their ID, passport, or any other document to enter a casino building.

However, only people aged 21 or older are allowed to play. Therefore, if you look young, or the casino staff has any doubts about your age, they are authorized to ask for age confirmation.

You are free to both enter and play a game in a casino with no need to present your passport, nor any other document. Generally speaking, if not for age validation, the casino’s staff has no right to ask for your ID.

Except for one circumstance. 

If you hit a jackpot or win a substantial amount of money (exceeding $1,200), you are legally bound to pay adequate taxes to the IRS. Therefore, to fill out the appropriate paperwork, casinos are not only authorized to but in fact, obliged to obtain your photo ID. You, of course, have the right to refuse to hand over your documents, but this means you won’t be able to collect your reward. 

Find out more about passports from these articles:

Acceptable Forms of ID for a Casino

So, whether you look too young and the staff wants to confirm your age or you hit a jackpot: What forms of ID do casinos accept?

Types of acceptable government-issued photo ID:

• Valid driver’s license,
• Valid state ID (or non-driver ID),
• Valid passport,
• ID card of the armed forces of the United States.

You may also be asked to show a Social Security card as secondary identification.

You can’t get into a casino with:

• Expired ID
• Birth certificate
• Picture of your ID

In case of lack of a valid passport, or other ID documents, most casinos allow for a postponed reward collection. Your winnings will be held by the casino in safekeeping for some time, and return to the casino with proper documentation to get your money. It gives you a brief window to either renew your passport, or bring a valid ID. 

ID Requirements and Online Casinos

Online casinos are gaining more and more popularity, although they are still available only in a few states throughout the US The federal government left this matter to the local authorities, which means that every individual state can either establish or ban online casinos. So far, only a handful of states have decided to give a green light toward gambling on the internet. 

Despite limited availability, online gambling attracts more and more visitors, which may raise the question of accessibility and registration. Unlike in brick and mortar casinos, where the staff has direct contact with you, and can therefore easily verify your age, online casinos are limited strictly to computer verification. 

The rules of entry and gaming laws regarding online casinos are essentially the same as with standard ones, and only people aged 21 and over are allowed to enter. Due to the lack of direct contact, online casinos have more strict verification procedures, and every player needs to confirm his/her identity.

This usually happens by providing some basic personal data, but in case a casino has a problem identifying you (for example you don’t appear on the voting list), they may ask for additional documentation in the form of a valid ID, for example, a scan of your passport.

Additionally, an online casino may also ask you for a utility bill or a driver’s license.

Renew Your Passport with Passport Photo Online

If you happen to win a jackpot, but your passport is expired, or if you simply want to save time applying for a new travel document, you can use the services of Passport Photo Online. It is an app that uses some advanced AI technology to quickly scan your picture and transform it into a legitimate passport photo. 

The way the tool works is that you simply upload your home-made photograph – even from your smartphone – and the software adjusts it adequately in seconds, so it always meets the official passport requirements. 

See for yourself why over a million people worldwide have loved Passport Photo Online  in getting their new passport photos. Upload the pictures for free and pay only once you are completely satisfied with the result. 

Can You Get into a Casino with a Passport: Recap

Casinos don’t require an ID unless you look under 21 or hit a jackpot. So, to be on the safe side, it’s best to have a valid ID on you when entering a casino: You can use your passport or any other form of ID we mentioned in this article.

And in case you’re the lucky one who got the machines buzzing with money, but has no valid passport – save time by using Passport Photo Online to get your passport pictures for the application. 

FAQs

Sources

• [1] https://www.fincen.gov/resources/statutes-regulations/guidance/

Adam Grucela

Adam is an SEO & Digital PR writer with a child’s curiosity about the surrounding world. His superpower to dig out juicy facts got him citations in Forbes, Social Media Today, and 90+ other news outlets. Adam enjoys snapping pictures and won the national Huawei Next Image Award.