Consultation on the minimum age for playing National Lottery games

This consultation considers changes to the minimum age for playing the National Lottery ahead of the competition to run the 4th National Lottery licence.

Since the award of the third National Lottery licence in 2009, there have been changes to the landscape in which the National Lottery sits. There has been a significant growth in online gambling in general and major new online and mobile platforms have changed the way many players interact with the National Lottery games.

In addition to technological changes, the instant win games such as scratchcards are making up an increased proportion of National Lottery sales. This has raised the question whether the availability of all National Lottery games to those under 18 remains appropriate.

We are consulting on 3 options:

• Option 1 - Do nothing, retain the minimum age of 16 for all National Lottery games
• Option 2 - Raise the minimum age to 18 for National Lottery instant win games (i.e. scratchcards and online instant win games)
• Option 3 - Raise the minimum age to 18 for all National Lottery games

We welcome all views on the options set out.