Instants scratchcards

* Instants scratchcards are more likely than the National Lottery draw to cause children to become compulsive gamblers, researchers believe.

Sue Fisher, senior research fellow in the faculty of human sciences at Plymouth University, says her survey work for lottery watchdog Oflot has found scratchcards are attractive to children, particularly since they are usually displayed close to a shop till.

Dr Fisher, who is conducting the biggest survey yet on underage participation in the lottery, said scratchcards are also a harder form of gambling than the weekly lottery draws.

"They have a short arousal span, and players are able to immediately repeat the experience," she said.

Dr Fisher is also looking into the potential impact on children of playing the lottery as a family pursuit.