Camelot targets accelerated rollout of new age limit changes
National Lottery operator to instigate online changes by April 2021 with retail to follow
Camelot has committed to implementing the new 18+ age limit on National Lottery games with effect from April 2021 before new legislation comes into force.
The confirmation comes after the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed the age limit would be raised from 16 to 18 from October 2021 amid concerns about the potential for underage players to experience gambling harm.
Camelot revealed work has already begun on implementing this change across the group’s retail and online portfolio as it aims to set online changes live in April 2021.
Age gating changes will then be implemented across Camelot’s 44,000 retail partner outlets during summer 2021.
“We’ve said all along that we would fully support any decision made by the government to raise the minimum age to play,” a spokesperson for Camelot said.
“Now that a decision has been made to raise the age to 18 by October 2021, we’ll be doing everything we can to implement all of the changes that will be necessary as quickly as possible, while ensuring that we maintain the very high standards demanded of the National Lottery,” Camelot added.
However, the operator highlighted a long road ahead in implementing the new age limit, with 50 separate changes required to its online platform, including games rules and procedures, online player guides, app alerts, notifications and automated emails.
In respect of retail, Camelot cited 80 individual areas of change. including fixed signage, permanent point of sale equipment, physical tickets and scratchcards and play slips.
“With our operating licence requiring us to ensure that the minimum age to play appears on all physical materials, as well as in all online channels, the changeover will not happen overnight,” said Camelot.
“This isn’t simply a case of sending new stickers to retailers or flicking an online switch.”
The operator also suggested the coronavirus pandemic could hamper its efforts to implement the changes safely across retail.
DCMS parliamentary under-secretary and Mid Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston told the Yorkshire Post: “While evidence shows that most 16 and 17-year-olds do not experience gambling-related harm from playing the National Lottery, some recent studies point to a possible correlation between National Lottery play at 16 and 17 and problem gambling in later life.
“Moreover, few other countries allow 16 and 17-year-olds to purchase their National Lottery products. We have therefore decided to increase the minimum age of the sale of all National Lottery games to the age of 18. We are keen to make this change at pace while being acutely aware of the need to give retailers and the operator time to ensure a smooth transition,” he added.