Scratchcards have become somewhat of a traditional festive gift in Ireland and the UK. Alongside the Christmas crackers on the dining table, a shiny, seasonally decorated lottery scratchcard nestles neatly, beckoning you to grab your lucky cent (or penny) and try your luck.

Ireland’s National Lottery Regulator puts things into perspective though by issuing a serious and stern warning. Do not give scratchcards as festive gifts to anyone under the age of 18. In recent months, authorities have released reports about problem gambling among children. The Government of Ireland, facing what they called a “tsunami of social problems” related to gambling, legislated.

Legislators point to recent findings that suggest these well-intentioned gestures inadvertently expose young people to gambling. This might set them on the path towards future problem gambling behaviours. As reported by Dublin Live, this warning comes after a mystery shopper operation revealed a concerning trend in some retail outlets across Ireland.

The growing concern over underage access to lottery products

Luckily, the news isn’t terrible. Independant research conducted by Ipsis B&A found that almost three out of ten shops were prepared to sell lottery scratchcards to minors. The good news is 72 percent of retailers refused to sell. Still, this is a significant proportion of shops who were willing to sell, despite the law, which stipulates that anyone under the age of 18 can not purchase National Lottery products.

Yet, National Lottery Regulator Carol Boate emphasised that age restrictions on lottery products exist for a reason: “We know childhood gambling can lead to a range of harms and increase your chances of experiencing gambling problems as an adult. It’s therefore vital that all adults are mindful of their responsibility to protect children by avoiding gifting them scratchcards this Christmas.”

Mystery Shopper Findings Reveal Compliance Gaps

Scratchcards have been a staple of both the Irish and UK lottery markets, and their popularity remains robust. This latest potential problem gambling finding comes at a time when the stakes are high because this is gaining increased attention across Europe. Calls for standardised, tough and operator led protection hit the news daily. European Union research supports these calls to action. Sweden and Finland, for example, have strict regulatory frameworks and have implemented comprehensive age-verification protocols in an attempt to reduce the risk of underage gambling.

Exposing a troubling trend, a recent report from the UK Gambling Commission revealed that 27 percent of 11–17-year-olds spent their own money on gambling in the past year. Recent changes saw the National Lottery’s legal age rise from 16 to 18 to align it with Ireland’s stance. This supports a European shift towards tighter restrictions. The recent 2024 European Safer Gambling week had record participation with the support of 195 partners across 26 countries.

According to the Irish mystery shopper, study found distinct regional differences. Dublin’s retailers had the lowest refusal rate. Only 57 percent declined to sell scratchcards to an underage customer, a figure well below the national average. Does this suggest that different areas require either more rigid enforcement and education? Mystery shopper checks and regular audits are standard practice in countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, but other countries vary.

The responsibility of retailers

Strengthening measures is a key to ensure that retailers abide by the law. Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), the National Lottery’s operator, is now expected to enhance its measures. Failure to improve compliance will undoubtedly lead to further action, including increased mystery shopper initiatives. PLI emphasised its commitment to a “world-class lottery” that continues to raise funds for good causes while advocating “best-in-class player protection controls” both online and in physical retail environments. PLI insists comprehensive training and regular audits for their retail agents support these controls. A recent report by the Lancet public health commission highlights the interconnected negative effects associated with gambling. The report argues these are now comparable to those posed by tobacco and alcohol.

How Increased Awareness Can Protect Young People

Ongoing assessments, public awareness campaigns and retailer training are strategies implemented in a multi-layered approach, mirrored by several European countries. Many European gambling and gaming operators hoping to minimise the exposure of children and teenagers to gambling products prioritise early intervention and prevention. By doing so, they aim to safeguard the integrity of national lotteries and to support safer gambling cultures.

Now we are approaching the season of goodwill, seeks to increase vigilance and close the compliance gap. This will align them more closely with European best practices and, more importantly, ensure children and teenagers can be shielded from the potential harms of early gambling exposure. The importance of responsible gift-giving is a crucial element to educate our children about the pitfalls and joys of gaming and gambling. Heed Ireland’s National Lottery Regulators warning, but use it to open dialogue about progressing the safer gambling debate. ‘Take time to think’, ‘know when to walk away,’ ‘when the fun stops, stop’ and ‘play responsibly, play for fun’ are coherent messages to warn of the dangers of problem gambling. A child’s first and most influential teachers should be their parents or guardians, so why can’t the subject of responsible gaming and gambling be part of a Christmas conversation?

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