In the United Kingdom, purchasing lottery tickets is legal when conducted under the provisions set by the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, which established the state-franchised National Lottery and granted regulatory authority to the Gambling Commission to oversee its operation (1).
All participants must be at least 18 years old to buy or claim National Lottery tickets, and purchases are only valid when made through officially licensed retailers or the National Lottery’s online platform. Players must also be physically located within the UK or Isle of Man at the time of purchase (2).
"The age limit for The National Lottery has recently been changed to 18 following a consultation. This includes all National Lottery games and products. You can read the consultation response on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)." (2)
Any sale or distribution of lottery tickets outside these legal channels is prohibited under the Gambling Act 2005 and can result in criminal prosecution, fines, or imprisonment for both sellers and purchasers of unauthorized tickets (1).
Source:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/39
https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-and-players/guide/types-of-lotteries-and-their-regulations
Last updated: 20-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
