How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a Scratch Off?

Many people don’t regard scratch off cards as a form of gambling because there’s no waiting for a lucky lotto draw and the bulk of the prizes are relatively small. But this does not necessarily mean that an underage person can buy a scratch off card from online sites like theLotter and others.

You might be wondering what the age restriction for buying scratch off tickets is, and whether an underaged winner can even claim their scratch off prize. Does the legal age to purchase scratch offs vary between states and countries? Keep reading as we answer these questions and more!

The Age Restriction for Buying Scratch Off Tickets

The scratch off age requirement doesn’t only vary between US states but also differs in countries around the world. See the table below for an idea of how the age requirements in these countries compare.

Why is There an Age Restriction on Buying Scratch Off Tickets?

Recent studies from the APA have shown that exposing underage people to gambling, even in its simplest form, increases the likelihood of an unhealthy addiction later in life. Therefore, governments have placed an age restriction on buying lottery and scratch off tickets until minors are old enough to make more responsible financial decisions.

Additionally, setting an age limit on the purchase of scratch offs also reduces the risk of lottery vendors preying on vulnerable young children. That said, most US states have an age restriction of 18 years old.

States such as Louisiana, Arizona and Iowa can only take part in the lottery or buy scratch offs at 21 years old. Keep in mind that these age restrictions apply to buying tickets from lottery vendors as well as joining various online lottery platforms for local and international games.

Source: LottoGo

Can Someone Buy Scratch Off Cards On Behalf of an Underage Person?

It’s usually illegal to sell a scratch off ticket to anyone under the age of 18. Since under 18s are still regarded as minors in the eyes of the law, they may also not cash in any winnings. However, some vendors are selling cards to minors and adults are also buying tickets for their children.

While buying tickets for your children may start as a harmless way to include them in what you’re doing, it’s important to know that they won’t be allowed to claim any winnings. Underage persons should also never buy scratch off tickets without the consent and supervision of adults. In some countries such as the UK, an authority form will have to be signed by the parent or guardian before scratch off cards can be sold to anyone under the age of 18.

What are the Consequences of Underage Purchasing of Scratch Off Tickets?

It’s currently illegal for any underage person to purchase scratch off tickets. Minors who are caught purchasing a scratch off card can face fines or community service. In some states, the minor also faces criminal charges. US law dictates that lottery vendors should verify age before selling scratch off tickets to anyone they suspect of being underage.

In the US, selling scratch off cards to a minor is regarded as a Class A misdemeanor which can result in imprisonment. The laws in the UK are equally strict, where vendors selling cards to minors can expect a hefty fine of up to £5,000 or imprisonment of up to 51 weeks.

Final Thoughts

To summarize, a player should be a minimum 18 years old to buy a scratch off ticket in most countries. So if you’re between 18 and 21 and you’re not sure what the requirements are for your region, ask your parent or guardian to check the minimum requirements printed on the betting platform or the back of the card. Since the consequences can be quite dire, it really isn’t worth taking the risk!

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