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The government has given the green light for 16 and 17-year-olds to continue to be able to sell lottery products, with approval from someone over the age of 18.

The Minister of State for Media and Data, John Whittingdale, confirmed the introduction of an approved sales system for National Lottery Products following a short consultation that took place in July and August. The approved system closes a loophole surrounding the sale of lottery products that would have been created when the minimum age for purchase moves to 18 in October.

Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman praised the announcement. “We welcome the government’s decision to introduce an approved sales mechanism for national lottery products to drive consistency of regulations across different age restricted products. We will now work to communicate this change across the sector and maintain local shops’ high level of compliance with the responsible sale of age restricted products.

“We now encourage the Department to build in an approved sales system from the outset, should the Gambling Act review conclude that changes to age of play and sale for other gambling products like society lotteries are required. This will unify the way all gambling products are sold and reduce the risk of retailer and consumer confusion.”