Camelot implements National Lottery age restrictions ahead of schedule

UK National Lottery operator Camelot will switch off access to its online platform and app for players under the age of 18 from 22 April.

The change, which comes almost six months before the agreed implementation timetable of October as ordered by DCMS, will affect approximately 3,300 existing users of the online site.

In respect of retail, 54,000 players aged 16 and 17 will be affected by the age-gaiting changes, representing just 0.3% of the National Lottery’s 14 million regular players.

This is the equivalent of just over one player for each of the 44,000 retail stores that sell National Lottery products in the UK.

Online players affected by the changes have been notified via email, while the operator has also introduced a dedicated landing page and FAQ document on the National Lottery website to assist in addressing queries.

A programme of retail changes was also introduced in March, with Camelot distributing consumer-facing point of sale (POS) material to retail partners highlighting the new age restrictions, as well as new fixed signage and POS equipment.

Adapting to the legislation required 50 separate changes to Camelot’s National Lottery online platform, including games rules and procedures, online player guides, app alerts, notifications and automated emails.

The increase in age threshold was first confirmed in December 2020 when the government kicked off its long-awaited Gambling Act 2005 review.

A spokesperson for Camelot said the operator had made “excellent progress” in adapting to the required changes in advance of the deadline.

“It’s worth remembering that the new 18+ age to play rule will bring National Lottery products in line with the purchase of other age-restricted products such as tobacco and alcohol.

“This change will actually help to keep store age verification policies consistent across all products being sold in store,” the spokesperson added.