Lotterywest reminds families this Christmas that scratchies and lottery games are for adults

Lotterywest has issued an important festive reminder to not buy scratchies for children as a Christmas gift in a bid to discourage underage gambling.

Lottery games are a popular item among Christmas present ideas for family and friends, but people looking for last-minute gifting ideas for young ones are encouraged to give scratchies a miss.

“Lotterywest has a strong commitment to minimising harm to players,” a Lotterywest spokesperson said on Friday.

“While we understand playing our games is low risk for most, now is an important time of year to remember that scratchies and lottery games are for adults.”

Perth researcher Professor Simone Pettigrew, from Curtin University’s School of Psychology and The George Institute for Global Health found in 2020 study that the “inappropriate gifts” for youths can create gambling-related problems.

The Curtin University study on “soft forms of gambling” out found the buying the products could lead to psychological problems, financial trouble and personal relationship issues.

Professor Pettigrew said: “The public needs to understand that lottery products such as scratchies and lotto tickets are a true form of gambling and are therefore inappropriate gifts for children and youth.”

“Lottery products need to be acknowledged as more than harmless fun and a genuine type of gambling, and policy makers should act accordingly to reduce harms that result from these products.”

To play the lottery in WA, players must be 16-years-old or older and be able to prove their age at registration.

A 2023 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare study found that 30 per cent of Australian adults gamble on lotteries at least once a month and two thirds had gambled on lotteries in the past year.