UK ministers to raise legal age for playing national lottery. Ministers are set to raise the legal age for playing the National Lottery to 18. However, the move to curb problem gambling among the young is not expected to happen until 2023.
The Government is supposed to respond according to estimates showing that over 200,000 16 and 17-year-olds play the Lotto daily and purchase scratchcards.
It comes on top of last month’s House of Lords report that revealed many of the 55,000 kids with a gambling issue that started playing the Lottery.
Raising the age limit is also supported by the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton, the European Lotto Betting Association and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Dr Steve Sharman of East London University School of Psychology said “Our research showed a robust link between legal youth gambling and adult gambling problems.”
[image: Matt Antonioli]
