National Lottery retailers are correctly carrying out ID checks at the highest rate in over 20 years.
As part of the Operation Guardian programme, National Lottery operator Allwyn organised 8,200 mystery shopper visits in 2024 to check retailers were challenging players who appeared under the age of 18.
The final results showed that a record-breaking 92.3% of retailers correctly asked for ID as proof of age on their first visit. They are carried out by people who are over 18, so not to inadvertently cause a retailer to break the law, but who look younger.
Retailers who sold to a mystery shopper on the first visit will be given additional training and subsequently revisited. Retailers who sell on three separate occasions to mystery shoppers may have their lottery terminal removed.
Allwyn introduced Operation Guardian in 2024, with the new programme building on and expanding previous mystery shopper initiatives to increase the levels of support for retailers.
Other visits have focused on ‘excessive play’, to ensure stores could provide support information to players requesting help if needed, as well as a smaller-scale mystery shop exercise for the new 10 scratchcards per purchase limit, which Allwyn launched in October 2024.
“A huge congratulations to our 40,000-plus National Lottery retailers for their commitment to selling The National Lottery responsibly and raising their standards to the highest levels ever seen,” said Alison Acquaye-Acford, Allwyn director of commercial partnerships and retail sales.
“Participant protection is central to Allwyn’s plans for growing The National Lottery responsibly over the next decade and this is clear to see from the successful introductions of new training and initiatives in 2024, including Operation Guardian and the 10 scratchcard limit.
“We’re delighted that our work in this area is already bearing fruit with these record-breaking figures. This is all down to the diligence of our retail partners, and I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their excellent work and dedication in this area.”
No comments yet