For nearly 30 years the National Lottery has been available to players under the age of 18. As of April 22nd, the legal age to buy lottery tickets online or via retail outlets will be 18+ bringing it in line with the legal age to gamble within the industry.
Minimum Age 18+
The minimum age is to be raised in a bid to prevent gambling-related harm to 16 and 17-year-olds who were previously able to purchase lottery tickets and other services. Prizes won on scratch cards and lottery tickets will be honoured if purchased before the 22nd. The new 18+ age limit will be in accordance with other gambling products available in the UK.In 2020, an ongoing review by the government found the minimum age for purchasing lottery tickets in the UK either online or in a retail outlet should be treated the same as other forms of gambling. Anyone creating new online accounts will be subjected to age verification checks through Experian.
Prevention Of Future Gambling Related Harm
Previous figures revealed more than 200,000 16 and 17-year-olds purchased scratch cards and lottery tickets on a regular basis. 55,000 children in this age bracket had faced gambling-related problems, which many started with playing National Lottery games. Clean up Gambling a campaigning organisation said the younger a person starts gambling the chances they will develop a gambling habit later in life.In 2020, some government members backed plans to review the age limit and were considering new restrictions on the industry to prevent the most vulnerable in society from gambling-related harms.Camelot who has operated the National Lottery since its inception in 1994, finally decided to become more involved in the prevention of underage gambling making it impossible for players under the age of 18 to access National Lottery tickets and other services provided.