By HELEN KIRRANE

Updated: 10:47 BST, 19 June 2025

I wanted to buy a lottery ticket before the EuroMillions draw last Tuesday so I went to my nearest Sainsbury’s.

When I asked to purchase two lucky dip lines, the cashier asked me if I had ID to show. 

I didn’t as I left the house in a rush before the 7:30pm cut off and I’m 28 so it didn’t cross my mind. I thought the minimum age was 16 which I am clearly over.

I’m sure they were just doing their job but do you really need ID to purchase a lottery ticket? I was able to buy one in the corner shop next door without any issue. 

Prove your age: You must be at least 18 years old to buy a lottery ticket. Shops will ask you for ID if they think you look too young to buy one

Prove your age: You must be at least 18 years old to buy a lottery ticket. Shops will ask you for ID if they think you look too young to buy one

Helen Kirrane of This is Money replies: You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a National Lottery ticket. 

The rules around this changed on 1 October 2021 when the National Lotteries Act 1993 increased the minimum age for sale of National Lottery tickets to 18 years. Previously the minimum age was 16. 

But you must be a youthful looking 28 year-old, as shops can ask you to show your ID if they think you look under the age of 25. This is also the case when purchasing alcohol for example. 

It is part of the ‘Challenge 25’ policy which retailers have in place to stop people buying items which have a legal age requirement. 

This would also have been the case had you tried to buy your lottery ticket online or on the app, as it carries out age checks when you register for an account.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman replied: ‘Customers must be at least 18 years old to purchase a lottery ticket and as a responsible retailer we operate a Think 25 policy.’

A Spokesman from Allwyn, which runs the National Lottery Fund replied: In store, our 43,500 National Lottery retail partners are advised to ‘Challenge 25’ – a scheme where they’re trained to challenge every potential National Lottery customer who looks under the age of 25. 

So, if you’re lucky enough to look younger than that, make sure you bring your ID along.

Online, players must be registered to buy a ticket on the National Lottery website or app. When first registering for an online account, they must complete a thorough sign-up process – as well as pass an identity and age verification check by Experian – before the account can be opened.

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