The Health Lottery has reminded stores that it remains legal for retailers to sell tickets for society lotteries to players aged 16 and over, even as the legal age for playing National Lottery products increased to 18 on 1 October.

In April, The National Lottery changed from being playable by those 16 or over to those aged 18 or over. The move came ahead of the legislative change which came into effect on 1 October, making it an offense to sell National Lottery products to those under the age of 18.

However, a spokesperson for The Health Lottery explained: “As it stands, there is no requirement for society lotteries to do the same.”

National Lottery sales age limit creates retailer confusion

Speaking to RN, the lottery firm said it had undertaken a full review of its social responsibility obligations in early 2020, resulting in the age requirement for its online products rising to 18+, but no change yet in the 16+ status of tickets sold in stores.

The Health Lottery spokesperson explained: “We were comfortable leaving the movement of face-to-face ticket sales from 16+ to 18+ until all of the implications of such a change had been ironed out e.g. payment terminal prompts requiring to be reprogrammed to the new age threshold; point of sale materials to be re-printed and dispatched; training programmes to be updated (both retail staff’s internal training and Health Lottery BA training) etc. 

“This is a much more complicated process than online, meaning that the changes cannot take place overnight but over a period of weeks. This is currently being thoroughly mapped out and we will be involving all our retail partners in this process, if and when the Gambling Commission publish the results of their review of The Gambling Act and provide any recommendations relating to society lotteries.

“In the meantime, players who are 16+ can continue to play our Health Lottery game in retail stores and all POS and legal compliance items provided to stores will remain at 16+ for the foreseeable future.”

Government confirms National Lottery products may continue to be sold by underage staff

The Government is yet to announce the results of its review of the Gambling Act, which does cover society lotteries. A whitepaper based on the review is due to be published later this year.

The Health Lottery online accounts of existing members who are under the age of 18 have been closed and all balances refunded, with the age gate of the Health Lottery’s website prohibiting any new players who are under the age of 18 from registering.

Read more National Lottery news