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December 22, 2022 – If you are looking for last-minute stocking stuffers, scratch-off lottery tickets can make great gifts. But remember that giving them to minors is illegal.
Instant tickets can serve as a fun and festive present for adults. For instance, players enjoy giving tickets hidden in cookie tins, paired with cozy pajamas, made into decorative wreaths or used as gift tags. However, they should not be gifted to children.
“It’s that time of year when we want to remind our players that instant tickets are not appropriate gifts for anyone under 18 years old — and also that it is illegal to give an instant ticket to a minor,” said Illinois Lottery Acting Director Harold Mays.
While giving an instant ticket to a child may seem harmless, early gambling experiences in minors can be a risk factor for gambling problems in adulthood. The Illinois Lottery supports the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Holiday Lottery Responsible Gambling Campaign in order to help mitigate the risk of underage play.
The Illinois Lottery reminds players to “Be Smart, Play Smart” and to gift smart when purchasing instant tickets during the holiday season. For more information on how to gift and game responsibly, please go to the Illinois Lottery website and visit the Responsible Gaming page.
