How old must you be to enter the casinos? How old to gamble?

The answer to both questions is 21 years old.
All businesses are VERY strict in enforcing this.
Their gaming license is at stake.

And, if you should be able to evade them and you win, you will not be able to cash in your winnings without a valid I.D. showing you are at least 21. There are security guards on the floors who will check IDs of anyone who looks to be too young. How do I know this? I was in Las Vegas once with my son who had turned 21 one month sooner. He was so proud to show his ID!

Just for the record, kids are allowed everywhere in the hotel except directly in the actual card and dice gaming area. The slot machine area is a place where they can pass through but not loiter.

I just returned from Vegas and could not believe the number of children present in the casinos. Many were of course just passsing through with their parents but it was still a nuisance and safety hazard trying to dodge all of the baby strollers. IMO Vegas is NOT for kids.

You can take kids through the casino, but you'd better look like you're headed for someplace else. I was once going through the slots area, holding a baby, and stopped to show him the flashing lights on the top of one of the machines. Within 30 seconds, a security guard came up to me and politely asked me to move along.

Thanks for the info. I'm taking an 18 yr old - not to gamble, just enjoying the sun and outdoors around Vegas.