SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Camelot UK has confirmed that the minimum age for purchasing National Lottery products will be set at +18, from 22 April onwards.
The operating firm of the National Lottery will close access to all under 18s customers across its digital platforms, with its new-age limit applied across online and retail verticals.
The move comes in advance of direct orders from DCMS on Camelot to increase the National Lottery’s age limit from 16-to-18 by Autumn 2021.
The National Lottery’s increase in age limits had been deemed a guaranteed outcome of DCMS review of the 2005 Gambling Act, following widespread criticism of Camelot’s inaction on the matter.
Last year, Anne Longfield OBE, the Children’s Commissioner for England, lambasted Camelot for ‘abusing its position of privilege’ by allowing under-18s to gamble up to £350 weekly on its platforms.
Meanwhile, DCMS was criticised for not imposing stricter National Lottery age limits, a concern that had been highlighted by former Sports Secretaries Tracey Crouch and Mims Davies.
“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.” Camelot detailed in its statement.
“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.”
