National Lottery minimum age raised to 18

The government has announced that the minimum age for playing the National Lottery will be raised from 16 to 18 from October 2021.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport said it is working with the Gambling Commission and Camelot, the National Lottery operator, to ensure that the new age limit is in place by October.

Under current plans, online sales to 16 and 17 year olds will stop in April 2021.

“We’re committed to protecting young people from gambling related harm which is why we are raising the minimum age for the National Lottery,” commented Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage Nigel Huddleston.

“Patterns of play have changed since its inception, with a shift towards online games, and this change will help make sure the National Lottery, although already low-risk, is not a gateway to problem gambling.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has also launched a review of gambling laws to ensure they are fit for the digital age.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the announcement, noting that the move will bring consistency in National Lottery age restriction.

“In our response to the government’s consultation on the minimum age for buying National Lottery products, we urged consistency between scratchcards and online games so that retailers would have one clear policy on which to operate and train their colleagues on,” James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said.

“We are pleased the government has listened and implemented a single age restriction of 18 for all National Lottery products.”

The decision comes after a 2019 consultation on the minimum age for purchasing National Lottery products.

Lowman added that the ACS will support retailers in rolling out the new age limit.

“Consistent with our position before and during the government’s consultation process, we are now fully committed to helping retailers to implement this policy over the next ten months,” he said.

“We will alter our industry standard assured advice to reflect this change, and work with our members and with the National Lottery operator Camelot to ensure that retailers are aware of and equipped to sell National Lottery products to over 18s only.”