Children should not be engaged in games of chance

“Championing the rights, welfare and development of Belizean families and children”

Belize City – June 24, 2019

It has been brought to the attention of the National Committee for Families and Children that children are being sold lottery/boledo and scratch tickets.  We remind businesspersons that this practice is illegal.  The Lotteries Act Chapter 151 Section 14 states:  “Every person who gives, sells or offers for sale to any person under the age of sixteen years any paper, ticket or token authorizing, or for the purpose of enabling or entitling, any person to receive any money or valuable thing on any event or contingency of or relating to any lottery commits an offence and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and term of imprisonment.”

We call on the Police to crack down on the establishments engaged in this practice and hold proprietors accountable for breaking the law.  We also urge parents to desist from sending minors to purchase these items. The public can also assist by reporting when they see instances of minors being sold lottery/boledo and scratch tickets to the Police. 

It is only by working together that we will create the best environment in which to raise our children.

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