Lottery retailers have been praised for acting responsibly after Camelot's test purchasing scheme Operation Child showed sales to underage test purchasers were at their lowest ever level.
Camelot revealed that 93% of retailers visited refused to sell on the first occasion - an improvement of 5% on 2004. Refusal rates for retailers who received a second test purchase visit rose to 97%, and during 2005 no retailer sold on three separate occasions and no terminals were withdrawn.
Camelot director of security and facilities John Branscombe said: "The results are extremely encouraging but we would stress that retailers need to remain vigilant."