UK 16-Year-Olds Can No Longer Play the Lottery
Under-18s in the United Kingdom are no longer able to play the National Lottery online or purchase tickets and scratch cards after the government raised the legal minimum age.
The new rules came into effect on Thursday, April 22, and they mean that teenagers aged 16 and 17 are no longer able to take part in lottery draws, including the EuroMillions. Gambling in the UK is illegal for anyone under 18, but until recently, National Lottery games could be played by anyone over the age of 16.
The youngest British person to win the EuroMillions was Jane Park from Edinburgh when she received £1 million at the age of 17 in 2013.
The change in rules to prevent teenagers under the age of 18 playing the lottery comes at a time when there are fears that as many as 55,000 children suffer from gambling addictio
From 22 April 2021, players must be 18 or over to play National Lottery games online, in store and on the app. This is in line with the government’s decision to raise the legal minimum age to play The National Lottery, which we fully support. Encouraging healthy play is at the heart of everything we do. Remember, you can set limits for the amount you deposit and spend each week, moderate your Instant Win Games play limit or even take a break from playing.
There is a tradition within the UK of buying teenagers a lottery ticket when they turn 16. However, now thousands of accounts have been closed due to the change in rules. There is one small loophole; any 16 or 17 year old who purchased a ticket for a future draw prior to the rule change will still be able to claim their prize if they win.
As is usual, players will have 180 days to claim the prize after a draw and they will still have access to their accounts until November 30, 2021.
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