Did you know that it’s illegal to give an instant ticket to a minor?
The holidays are here! Have you made your list? Have you checked it twice? Holiday instant tickets from the Illinois Lottery are a fun and easy way to check off everyone on your list. Everyone except for minors, that is.
“At the Illinois Lottery, we always want to encourage responsible holiday gift-giving,” explained Harold Mays, Acting Director of the Illinois Lottery. “What players may not realize is that in Illinois it’s illegal to give an instant ticket to anyone under the age of 18.”
During the holidays, instant tickets can be given in a variety of ways to surprise and delight your loved ones, such as hiding them in a cookie tin, a new pair of comfy holiday pajamas or cozy slippers, or including them as an add-on to a hostess gift, such as candy or flowers. Keep in mind that instant tickets are not gifts for the children on your list.
The Illinois Lottery supports the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Holiday Lottery Responsible Gambling Campaign because early gambling experiences are a risk factor for gambling problems later in life. Many young people even report that their first gambling experiences occur around 9 to 11 years of age.
Be Smart, Play Smart™ This Holiday Season
The Illinois Lottery reminds players to Be Smart, Play Smart™ and to gift smart when purchasing instant tickets during the holiday season. Throughout the year, encourage players to play for fun, not funds, and to set a budget and stick to it. For more information on how to gift and game responsibly, go to https://www.illinoislottery.com/ and visit our Responsible Gaming Page.
