Since the National Lottery launched in 1994, the legal age to buy a scratchcard and lottery ticket in the UK is 16.
These age restrictions meant that anybody aged 16 or over could play any National Lottery game – in store or online.
However, on the 22nd March 2021, National Lottery announced via their website that the minimum age to buy and play National Lottery scratchcards (and other lottery games) will increase to 18.
The following banner was displayed on the website prior to the change:
This rule change means that anybody under the age of 18 can no longer buy or claim a prize for any National Lottery game, including scratchcards and lottery.
There are a few different terms and conditions for players who are currently under 18 but have had an online National Lottery account when when the age was still 16.
For full information on age rules, you can visit this link to go to the relevant National Lottery page.
Why have the age restrictions been updated?
There has been a lot of pressure on the UK Government to enforce National Lottery to make changes.
In July 2019, Culture Minister Mims Davies, announced plans to increase the age from 16 to 18 for scratchcard players.
In a quote, Mims Davies said:
The age of 18 is widely recognised as an age one becomes an adult, gaining full citizenship rights and the responsibilities.
At present, all lotteries can be played from 16 – one of the very few age limits for gambling under-18 products.
So in addition to the option to raise the minimum age to 18 for all National Lottery games and retaining the current limit of 16, I’m also seeking views on a differentiated approach that would increase the minimum age of instant win games only – this includes scratchcards and online instant win games.
Mims Davies, Culture Minister
However, it is unlikely that any changes to the age could happen any time soon. With National Lottery’s contract not up for renewal, it is unlikely that the Government could force any change without fear of a backlash and lawsuit from National Lottery operators, Camelot.
How old do you have to be to play online scratchcards?
With the age for National Lottery scratchcards being 16, this does not apply for online scratchcards. When you purchase an online scratchcard from a site such as Lottomart or William Hill, the legal age to play is 18.
To ensure that you can claim any online scratchcard winnings, ensure that you verify your age in your account.
18+ begambleaware.org; New Customers only; Min. deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager bonus 40x within 15 days; Max winnings = 10x bonus; Free spins validity: 7 days; Free spins max. winnings = £100. Stake contribution as per eligible games; See full terms;
Terms Apply; 18+
begambleaware.org, T&Cs apply. New reg only. Opt in & deposit £10, £25 or £50 within 7 days & further 7 days to wager cash stakes 35x to unlock reward (£50 on 2 deposits). 3 day exp. Wagering/game contributions vary. 25 wager-free spins x10p to added to Big Bass Splash with each qualifying deposit, 3 day expiry.
First Deposit Only. Min. deposit: £10. Game: 7 Piggies 5000, card Value: £0.25. WR 60x free card winnings amount (only Slots count) within 30 days. Max bet is 10% (min £0.10) of the free card winnings amount or £5 (lowest amount applies). Scratch Cards must be used before deposited funds. First Deposit/Welcome Bonus can only be claimed once every 72 hours across all Casinos.
Bonus Policy Applies.
First deposit only. Min deposit & spend £10. Max 30 spins on Big Bass Splash at 10p per spin. Spins credited upon spend of £10. 18+
Full T&Cs apply. Min £2 in scratchcards on first purchase to qualify. 10 free scratchcards awarded on Cash Factor 5K. 10 free spins awarded on Sweet Success Megaways. New players only. 18+ gambleaware.org.
See Full Terms 30 King's Alchemist Scratchcards & 10 Free Reel King Mega Spins For Just £1.50
Full T&Cs apply 18+ New players only, BeGambleAware.org. Spin Value £0.1, 40x Wagering in 7 days, Max Bet £5, Max Win £5, Certain games excluded.
Full T&Cs apply. Take time to think
New players, £10+ deposit, no e-wallets/prepaid cards, up to 500 Free Spins, 40x Plt on Casino Free Spins and 50x Plt on Vegas Free Spins.
T&Cs apply New Customers Only. Opt in required. 1x per customer. Fishin Pots of Gold only. Min £10 stake. Max 100 Free Spins at 10p per spin. Free Spins expire 24 hours from issue. Max redeemable £30. Eligibility rules, game, location, currency, payment-method restrictions and
terms and conditions apply.
18+. New, ID Verified players only. Up to £10 bonus credit. 40x wagering requirement. 7 day expiry. £50 max withdrawal without deposit.
T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
18+. New Casino players only. Deposit required. Bet £10+ on qualifying games. 40x wager reqs (bonus only) on selected games. Accept Bonus within 14 days. Bonus valid for 30 days. Certain deposit types excluded. Player restrictions and T&Cs apply.
New players only. Opt-in Required. Only for UK Players. Wager from real balance first. 50X wager the bonus. Contribution varies per game. selected games only. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Bonus valid 30 Days from receipt/ free spins valid for 7 days from issue. Max conversion: 3x the bonus amount or free spins: $/€/£20. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active pending bonuses.
Full Terms Apply 18+. New UK customers only. Opt-in required. 30 free spins on Book of Dead game upon registration. 100% deposit bonus up to £300, min deposit £10. 30x wagering requirements apply (game weighting applies). Max bonus bet £5.
T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
1st deposit only. Min deposit £10. 100% up to £100 + 100 Bonus spins (25 Spins on Cleopatra, 25 Spins on Goldrush, 25 Spins on Wild Eagle, 25 Spins on Scratch King)
T&Cs apply.
New players only. Opt-in Required. Wager from real balance first. 50X wager the bonus. Contribution varies per game. selected games only. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Bonus valid 30 Days from receipt. Max conversion: 3x the bonus amount. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active pending bonuses.
Full Terms apply 18+. New customers only. Min spend £10 on qualifying games. Certain deposit types excluded. £50 Bonus on selected games subject to 40x wager req. Must accept within 7 days, valid for 30 days. Player restrictions and T&Cs apply.
This promotion is valid for new UK QuinnCasino customers aged 18 years and over who have yet to avail of a QuinnCasino Welcome Offer. To activate this promotion you must deposit and stake a minimum of £10. You must place a minimum of 5 rounds during the qualifying period and 4 of these rounds must be at least half the value of your highest placed wager.
18+ new customers only. Deposit, opt in and wager £10 on selected games within 30 days of opening new account. Get 3 x £10 bonuses for selected games with up to 40x wagering plus 100 Free Spins. Bonuses expire in 30 days. Max redeemable from bonuses £750. 100 Free Spins have no wagering and expire in 30 days. Card payments only. T&C's Apply.
BeGambleAware.org. Please Gamble Responsibly.
First 3 deposits only. Min deposit £10. Max total bonus £500 and 150 spins. 30x wagering (dep + bonus). 30x on spins, 4x conversion, bonus and spins valid on selected slots.
T&Cs apply.
No Deposit Offer: New Players Only • Claim in 48 hrs • 14 day expiry • FP wins are credited as bonus and capped at £10, exc. JP win • 50x wagering • Deposit Offer: 1st time depositor at 888casino only • £20 min deposit • Claim in 48 hrs • Valid for selected games • Bonus wins capped at £500, excl. JP wins • Pre-1st deposit only: Bonus wins & max redeemable amount capped at £100, excl. JP wins • 30x wagering – req. vary by game • Bonus expires in 90 days • Payment method & country restrictions apply • Withdrawal terms,
No Deposit Offer terms &
Deposit Bonus Offer terms apply.
First deposit only. 50 Free Spins on the Book of Dead slot. Minimum deposit £10. Each Free Spin valued at 10p.
T&Cs, Rewards and Game Play Policy applies.
