British residents under the age of 18 will no longer be able to purchase lottery tickets or play on the National Lottery website after the local authorities increase the lawful age for lottery participation. The change comes into effect today amid growing concerns about problem gambling among the youth. Brits aged 16 or 17 will be unable to purchase scratchcards or partake in the EuroMillions draws.
The legal age for lottery participation in Great Britain was previously 16 years old. Edinburgh teen Jane Park became the youngest EuroMillions winner in Great Britain after scooping £1 million in prize money at the age of 17 back in 2013. Prior to the new rules, it was a common practice to give lottery tickets to British teens as a birthday present once they turn 16 years old.
With the changes coming into force today, thousands of teens under 18 will have their online lottery accounts terminated. They will also be unable to play the lottery via its official mobile app. The government decided to reduce the legal lottery age in an attempt to prevent problem gambling from spreading among the local youth.
Reports reveal unsettling trends among local youngsters as 55,000 minors fall into the category of problem gamblers. According to the House of Lords, many of these minors started to exhibit problematic behaviour after participating in the National Lottery games.
A spokesperson commented the state-franchised national lottery fully embraces and supports the government’s decision to introduce the changes. The spokesperson proceeded by saying the lottery is committed to responsible and healthy play. All customers have the option to set limits on the sums they transfer to their accounts per week.
Setting personalised restrictions on one’s weekly spend is possible as well. Players can curb their level of play for instant-win games with the help of session-duration reminders. They can also take advantage of permanent or temporary self-exclusion.
Players under 18 Will Have Their Online Accounts Closed on November 30
Individuals under 18 who have purchased lottery tickets before April 22, 2021, are still eligible for redeeming their profits even if they win after the new rules have come into force. All winners under the new legal age will have 180 days to reap their profits, counting from the day of the draw.
They will be able to log into their National Lottery accounts until the end of November 2021. Customers who turn 18 years old before this period can continue playing lottery games from their 18th birthday onward, if they wish. The National Lottery staff will verify they have reached the lawful age via Experian.
Verifying one’s age is also necessary when winners attempt to redeem high-tier prizes, that is in excess of £50,000. Players have to provide identification documents to validate their date of birth. They can use identity cards, birth certificates, driver’s licenses, or passports for this purpose.
The introduction of the new legal age requirement comes in the wake of a government review carried out last year. It showed that over 200,000 Brits within the 16 and 17 age group play the lottery on a regular basis. After the publication of the results, the authorities concluded it would be best if the legal age for lotteries coincides with that for other forms of gambling, that is 18 years old.
- Author
Daniel Williams
