Minimum age to play the National Lottery is to rise from 16 to 18

"This builds upon our clear track record of introducing tough measures to protect people from the risk of gambling harm - banning the use of credit cards, launching tighter age verification checks and cutting the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals."

Mr Huddleston said: "We're committed to protecting young people from gambling-related harm which is why we are raising the minimum age for the National Lottery.

"Patterns of play have changed since its inception, with a shift towards online games, and this change will help make sure the National Lottery, although already low-risk, is not a gateway to problem gambling."

A spokeswoman for Camelot, the National Lottery operator, said they had always said that they would "fully support" any decision to raise the minimum age to play.

She added: "Now that a decision has been made to raise the age to 18 by October 2021, we'll be doing everything we can to implement all of the changes that will be necessary as quickly as possible, while ensuring that we maintain the very high standards demanded of The National Lottery.

"We've already started this work in preparation and, subject to receiving the appropriate licence variations and waivers from the Gambling Commission, we're aiming to complete all of the changes that are needed in our online channels by early April 2021 and, in our retail channel, over the course of the summer - well in advance of the change in law."

Michael Dugher, chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said they "strongly welcome" the review launch and the Lottery minimum age rise, saying it must be "one rule for all".

He said: "I hope ministers will focus in with laser-like precision on problem gamblers and those at risk.

"The Government must ensure that any changes do not drive people to the unregulated black market online, where there aren't any safeguards to protect vulnerable people."

He also called on the review to "take account of the huge economic contribution made by the betting and gaming industry", which he said employs over 100,000 people.

He said: "Millions of people enjoy an occasional flutter on sports, on bingo, on the Lottery, in casinos and online. I hope that everyone has their say in the review - including millions of customers who enjoy betting safely, as well as the hardworking men and women employed in the industry."