Can You Buy a Lottery Ticket as a Gift?
This is an independent, informational guide for UK readers and is not affiliated with the organisations mentioned. It is provided for general information only.
Yes, you can buy a lottery ticket or scratchcard as a gift for another adult aged 18 or over, and whoever holds a winning ticket is the one who claims. What you must never do is give tickets or scratchcards to under-18s — the minimum age to play or claim is 18.
Gifting to another adult
You can buy a lottery ticket or scratchcard and give it to someone else as a gift, as long as they are 18 or over. There is nothing to stop you handing a ticket to an adult friend or family member.
If it wins, the prize belongs to whoever holds the ticket, so a clear understanding between you helps avoid any awkwardness.
Never for under-18s
What you should not do is give lottery tickets or scratchcards to anyone under 18. The minimum age to play or claim is 18, and gambling charities specifically advise against giving scratchcards to children, even as a stocking-filler.
Early exposure to gambling is linked to problems later in life, which is why this guidance is taken seriously.
Claiming a gifted win
The person holding a winning ticket is the one who claims, and they must be 18 or over. For a large win, taking the ticket to the operator and sorting out any tax-free payment works the same as any other claim.
Lottery winnings themselves are tax-free, though giving a large sum on to others can have inheritance-tax implications worth checking.
A note on scratchcards at Christmas
Scratchcards are a popular stocking-filler, but gambling charities specifically ask people not to give them to children. The festive season is when this matters most.
For adults, a scratchcard or ticket is a perfectly ordinary gift — just keep it to the over-18s.
As a grown-up gift between adults, a ticket or scratchcard is a bit of harmless fun, and any win belongs to whoever holds it. The one firm rule worth remembering, especially around Christmas, is to keep gambling gifts to the over-18s, in line with the clear advice from gambling charities.
Can you give someone a lottery ticket as a present?
Yes, to another adult aged 18 or over. The person who holds a winning ticket is the one who can claim.
Can you give a scratchcard to a child?
No — the minimum age is 18, and charities advise against giving scratchcards to under-18s entirely.
Who claims the prize on a gifted ticket?
Whoever holds the ticket, provided they are 18 or over; lottery winnings are tax-free.
Why shouldn't you give children scratchcards?
Because the minimum age is 18 and early exposure to gambling is linked to harm later in life, so charities advise against it.
Related guides: What age can you play?, Staying anonymous, How to claim winnings
18+ only. Gambling should be fun, not a way to make money. If you are worried about your gambling, or affected by someone else's, free and confidential help is available from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, from BeGambleAware.org, and through the self-exclusion scheme GAMSTOP. You must be 18 or over to gamble.