Minors and Gambling

The public lottery gaming market is on the move. On both sides of the language border, the media regularly draw our attention to new games, influence of the European harmonisation of the public lottery markets and of certain other aspects as well. All subjects that raise the same question each time: are minors (under 18-year-olds) allowed to take part in National Lottery games?

Minors are not allowed to take part in National Lottery games.

Minors need to be protected against themselves. This is as true in the field of alcohol and going out as in that of gaming. Although it is true that the prevailing ambience in the National Lottery’s sales outlets cannot be compared with that of casinos or gaming rooms, the minister concerned has seen fit to intervene in this matter.

The Act of 19 April 2002 granting the National Lottery a monopoly in the organisation of public lotteries in the general interest does not envisage any provision explicitly prohibiting minors from taking part in lottery games. However, an age limit does appear in each decree organising each lottery game that is marketed. Indeed, each Royal Decree of each lottery game provides that minors are prohibited from participating.

In order to get this important message across to the sales network, the National Lottery has distributed these Royal Decrees to all the sales outlets, has communicated this information on several occasions in its “Lo Contact” communication magazine, and is even pointing it out right here on its website.