As of 1st October 2021, the National Lotteries Act 1993 increased the minimum age for sale to 18 years. This now also applies to the age of the seller unless specifically authorised by the owner – which must be documented – and allows a 16+ year old to sell National lottery products .
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/39/section/5National Lottery prizes can still be claimed by 16 and 17 year olds where games were purchased before 22 April 2021. Hence, from mid Oct 2021, any persons claiming winnings must be 18+ years to claim prizes (due to the 180 days claimant period).
If a person under the age of 16 presents a winning National lottery ticket or scratch card, you should refuse to pay them the winnings and seek guidance from Camelot on what to do.
Currently, other lottery schemes (such as Air Ambulance) remain unaffected and stay with a minimum age of 16 to play, and must not be sold by anyone under the age of 16.
If you are found guilty of a National Lottery or large society lottery offence you could face imprisonment and/or a substantial fine. The ultimate sanction for retailers is having their licence revoked and their machine removed by the lottery operator.
The maximum penalty for selling a ticket to an underage person is £5000 and/or 2 years imprisonment.
Organisers of lottery schemes must conduct test purchasing. Results will be given to the Gambling Commission.