How old do you have to be to use Kalshi? Age rules for Kalshi, Polymarket and other apps
Kalshi requires users to be 18 or older and to pass identity checks. Why it is 18 and not 21, how verification works, and the age rules on Polymarket, Robinhood, DraftKings and FanDuel.
You have to be 18 or older to use Kalshi. Kalshi also requires a US residential address and a linked bank account, and it verifies your identity before you can trade, which can include a photo ID check. There is no way around the age rule: accounts that fail verification are not allowed to trade.
Age rules and eligibility as published by each platform, as of October 2026. They change, especially for sports contracts; check the app's own help page.
Kalshi age requirement at a glance
| Platform | Minimum age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kalshi | 18 | US residents; identity verification before trading |
| Polymarket US | 18 | US residents; ID checks |
| Polymarket (global site) | 18, or the age of majority where you live | Not open to US residents; country list |
| Robinhood | 18 | Needs an approved Robinhood account |
| DraftKings Predictions | 18 in most states | Third-party guides list 19 in Alabama and Nebraska and 21 in Massachusetts, Virginia and parts of Louisiana |
| FanDuel Predicts | 18 | Eligible states only |
| US sportsbooks | 21 in almost every state | For comparison |
Why Kalshi is 18 and not 21
Kalshi is a federally regulated exchange: the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) oversees it, the same way it oversees futures markets. Federal market rules use 18, the age at which you can sign a binding contract, like opening a brokerage account. Sportsbooks are licensed by states, and most states set the sports betting age at 21.
That difference is part of the political fight over sports contracts. Some state officials argue that an 18-year-old should not be able to trade on a football game when they could not bet on it at a sportsbook, and several bills in 2026 proposed raising the age for event contracts. Kalshi has kept 18 as its minimum while adding stronger checks against underage use. The legal background is in is Kalshi gambling? and is Kalshi legal in your state.
How Kalshi verifies your age
When you sign up, Kalshi asks for your legal name, date of birth and address, and runs identity verification. If the automatic check cannot confirm you, it asks for a document, such as a driver's licence or passport, and sometimes a selfie. You can browse markets before you are verified, but you cannot deposit and trade until you pass.
A few practical points:
- Use your own details. Opening an account in a parent's or friend's name breaks Kalshi's terms and can get the account closed with funds returned only after review.
- The bank account must be in your name. Deposits from someone else's account are a common reason for a frozen withdrawal; see Kalshi and Polymarket withdrawals.
- Taxes follow the account holder. Kalshi sends tax forms to the verified owner: Kalshi taxes.
Polymarket age requirement
Polymarket US, the regulated exchange for Americans, also requires users to be 18 or older and verifies identity. The global Polymarket site requires users to be adults under their local law and is closed to US residents. Step-by-step: how to use Polymarket in the US.
Other prediction apps
Most US prediction apps follow the same 18+ rule because they connect to CFTC-regulated exchanges. The exceptions tend to be the sportsbook brands, which in a few states apply a higher age to their prediction products. Comparisons: prediction market apps, DraftKings Predictions, FanDuel Predicts and Robinhood prediction markets.
Under 18?
You cannot trade on any regulated prediction market, but you can still follow the odds. Our live markets page and 2026 election hub are free to read without an account, and play-money forecasting sites let you practise without real money.
Kalshi age requirement: frequently asked questions
Can you use Kalshi at 18?
Yes. 18 is Kalshi's minimum age, with identity verification.
Can you use Kalshi at 17?
No. Kalshi does not allow anyone under 18 to open or use an account.
Is the Kalshi age requirement different by state?
Kalshi's help pages give 18 as the minimum without a state table. Some other apps, such as DraftKings Predictions, set a higher age in a few states.
Why can I bet on sports at 18 on Kalshi but not at a sportsbook?
Kalshi is regulated as a federal exchange, where 18 is the standard age. Sportsbooks are licensed by states, most of which require 21.
What happens if a minor opens a Kalshi account?
It fails verification or is closed when found. Using someone else's identity breaks the terms of service.
