National Lottery minimum age change is official as thousands banned from playing
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The government's changes to the National Lottery is now officially in effect as of this month as the minimum age rises to 18.
The rule change will affect the sale of physical lottery tickets and scratchcards for people aged 16 and 17. Camelot, the operator of the National Lottery, announced the rule change in March.
While under-18s are banned from gambling, they were previously permitted to play in National Lottery games and to buy scratchcards.
The minimum age change follows a review of gambling laws launched in December 2020 by the UK Government. Campaigners believe the National Lottery served as a " gateway " to gambling.
Under-18s were also banned from National Lottery online sales and games in April.
This National Lottery rule change is the first time the minimum age has changed since 1994.
Campaigner and director of Clean Up Gambling Matt Zarb-Cousin, previously told The Mirror : “Britain is the only country in the world that allows children to gamble.
“The loophole that lets under-18s buy lottery tickets has been exploited to peddle rapid instant win games to children, which act as a gateway to harder forms of gambling.
“These games have more in common with online casinos than lotteries. The government should increase the minimum age to 18 as soon as possible.”
A spokesperson for Camelot said: “Now that a decision has been made to raise the age to 18 by October 2021, we’ll be doing everything we can to implement all of the changes that will be necessary as quickly as possible, while ensuring that we maintain the very high standards demanded of the National Lottery.”
