Scratchcard sales to under-18s should be banned to tackle underage gambling, says minister

Over 15 per cent of 11 to 16-year-olds said they purchased National Lottery scratchcards at least once a week or more, according to study by Gambling Commission last year

The law currently allows anyone over the age of 16 to purchase a scratchcard although the minimum age required to bet in a casino is 18 (AP)

A ban on 16 and 17-year-olds buying scratchcards could be introduced to protect “those most vulnerable people”, the sports minister has said.

Mims Davies said the Government has considered outlawing their sale to anyone under 18.

“We need to be very clear that gambling starts at 18," she told The House magazine. “We are very clear that where people are connected to their communities and they want to support causes in appropriate ways, it's not to stop people from having fun, but it's also to protect those most vulnerable people.

“That's where the government needs to step in.”

The law currently allows anyone over the age of 16 to purchase a scratchcard although the minimum age required to bet in a casino is 18.

A study by the Gambling Commission in 2018 found that 450,000 young people aged 11-16 gambled in a week.

The same study discovered 16 per cent of 11 to 16-year-olds said they purchased National Lottery scratchcards at least once a week or more.

Ms Davies also spoke about the issue of banning gambling sponsorship on sports clothing, saying: “You can't advertise with children's shirts – rightly so.

“We've done a gambling review, there are still work and outcomes that we are delivering on that. But that review is ongoing.

“It doesn't mean that we've stopped.”

Press Association