Child gamblers face Lotto ban

THE legal age for playing the National Lottery may rise from 16 to 18 amid fears about young gamblers.

Many of Britain’s 55,000 child betting addicts began by playing the lottery, says a House of Lords report. Government figures showed 204,000 16- and 17- year- olds regularly buy lottery tickets and scratchcards.

The change is likely to happen when Camelot’s lottery licence is due for renewal in 2023.

Many campaigners, including Labour MP Carolyn Harris, back

Lottery card restricting gambling to

18 and over. Tory ex-Sports Minister Tracey Crouch called for the new age limit two years ago. She said: “I always thought it was a no-brainer.”

Britain’s youngest lotto winner, Callie Rogers, now 33, who spent all the £1.8million she won at 16, wants a higher limit and says: “I was too young. ”

Camelot are not against the change. Boss Nigel Railton said: “We are reasonably relaxed about it.”