Sales halted
The Camelot Group, the operator of the UK National Lottery, has announced that ￡10 ($13) scratchcards will no longer be sold.
fear of fueling gambling addiction in players
Citing player protection considerations, Camelot removed the cards due to fear of fueling gambling addiction in players. The operator told shops to no longer sell the tickets but honored wins from previously sold tickets.
Thorough research
Camelot’s decision to withdraw the scratchcards from sale came as part of its player protection program.
a possible link between problem gamblers and scratchcards
The operator commissioned further research after the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) identified new information highlighting a possible link between problem gamblers and scratchcards. The review included player polling and game designs, along with other data.
Camelot recognized that the association between scratchcards and problem gambling did not connect to standards set for the company to provide low-risk products. The lottery operator then voluntarily agreed to withdraw ￡10 price point scratchcards associated with the ￡4 Million Red and ￡4 Million Black games. Games under the Section 6 Diamond 7 Scratchcard License were also affected.
Licensing changes
The ￡10 scratch games removal was effective from September 27. It saw the Section 6 Scratchcard Class License changed, with scratchcard games price points now set at ￡1, ￡2, ￡3, and ￡5 ($1.30, $2.60, $3.90, and $6.50).
The new change to the license will remain in place until the current license period comes to an end. The stop date is January 2023.
Mitigating risk
The UKGC called the ￡10 scratchcards “over-indexed among problem gamblers”. Camelot estimates that less than 1% of National Lottery players are at risk of addiction. The removal of scratchcards will still protect the very small minority of players affected.
According to the UKGC, the ￡10 scratchcards withdrawal will remain in place until the commission is “satisfied that the risk posed to our duties are mitigated.” It also stated that, while there may be a negative impact on good causes, the decision was necessary and proportionate.