The National Lottery is the state-franchised national lottery established in 1994 in the United Kingdom. It is regulated by the Gambling Commission, and is currently operated by Camelot Group, to which the licence was granted in 1994, 2001 and again in 2007, but will be operated by Allwyn Entertainment Ltd from 2024.Prizes are paid as a lump sum (with the exception of the set for life which is paid over a set period) and are tax-free. Of all money spent on National Lottery games, around 53% goes to the prize fund and 25% to "good causes" as set out by Parliament (though some of this is considered by some to be a form of "stealth tax" levied to support the National Lottery Community Fund, a fund constituted to support public spending). 12% goes to the UK Government as lottery duty, 4% to retailers as commission, and a total of 5% to operator Camelot, with 4% to cover operating costs and 1% as profit.From introduction in November 1994 until April 2021, lottery tickets were able to be purchased by people at least 16 years old. Scratch cards, from introduction in March 1995 to April 2021, were also able to be purchased by people at least 16 years old. As of 22 April 2021, players must be 18 years of age to purchase lottery tickets and scratch cards (online and in-store).