The UK Government has revealed that it could raise the age limit for playing the National Lottery from 16 to 18.
When announcing a consultation on the age limits for the games offered by the National Lottery, the Minister for Sport and Civil Society Mims Davies explained that such games were some of the instances which allow persons under 18 years of age to gamble. The consultation that was unveiled by the Culture Minister will look at the possible increase of the age limit for online games and instant-win scratch cards. The measure could be brought into action in 2020.
According to Ms Davies, raising the age limit from 16 to 18 could be the best measure in that case. Increasing the minimum age limit for all games offered by the National Lottery would bring it in line with the generally recognised age of adulthood when individuals gain full citizenship rights and responsibilities.
NEWS: National Lottery scratchcard minimum age could be increased to 18 as consultation opens to help protect vulnerable young people
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As mentioned above, the initial intentions of the Minister for Culture, Sports and Civil Society were that the measure is implemented only for scratchcards and online games, both of which are considered bringing a bigger risk of harm to young individuals. This is why Ms Davies has revealed that she would have a consultation with Camelot, the operator of the National Lottery, and with some retailers to check on the possible impact which the change could have on their performance before making the final decision on the matter.
Representatives of the Labour Party, however, urged her to take immediate action.
Government Could Still Take No Action after Consultations
It is still unknown whether the Government would take action on the issue. As also shared by Ms Davies, the risk is only a little higher for instant-win games than it is for other National Lottery games, such as the draw-based games.
The Minister for Culture, Sport and Civil Society also announced that some changes would be brought to so-called society lotteries, which are the non-commercial lotteries run for charities. The changes would include the increase of the maximum draw prize from £400,000 to £500,000.
After the consultation and consideration period, the Government could choose to raise the minimum age limit for some National Lottery games, to increase them for all Lottery games or even to keep the current status quo.
Tom Watson, the Shadow Culture Secretary Tom Watson said that scratchcards provided a lot of underage individuals with the chance to become part of the children who are known to be gambling every week. According to him, a consultation on raising the age limit for some of the products and services of the National Lottery is unnecessary, because the competent authorities already have all the evidence they need. He also shared his utter belief that the minimum age of all gambling products should be set at 18.
- Author
Daniel Williams
