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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think a birthday scratch card win was harmless fun?

368 replies

Fidbdfb · 04/06/2026 16:30

It was my daughter’s birthday this week, and I got her a scratch card just for a bit of fun.

She ended up winning £100 from a £5 card.

I mentioned it to a friend, but she felt quite strongly that she’d never let her child do anything like that, as she sees it as gambling.

It felt a bit over the top to me, to me it was just a harmless bit of fun for a special occasion....

Is she being over top?

OP posts:
Fakesantancnotreal · 04/06/2026 17:00

I have a 13 yr old and he would love a scratch card as a present. It’s a bit of fun, and even more fun to win £100!

Ignore most of the pretentious boring fuckers on here, they don’t live in the real world. They pretend they’re perfect on here and look down on anyone but in real life if they were that perfect would they have time to be on an internet forum before 5pm when they should be driving little Tarquin to Cricket School

Superhansrantowindsor · 04/06/2026 16:59

Years and years ago pre lottery you used to get these charity scratch cards. I’m not sure where you’d buy them but I remember my grandma always used to get them for us. We used to scrape them with a 2 p piece. I’m sure the most we ever won was a few quid but it was just a bit of fun. Technically 2 p falls machines are gambling. Yanbu.

FoodieFoodFood · 04/06/2026 16:59

nonomo · 04/06/2026 16:59

People are being ridiculous here.

It’s a nice, fun gift and exciting for her that she won. It doesn’t mean she’s going to turn into a gambling addict!!

💯

FoodieFoodFood · 04/06/2026 16:59

Fidbdfb · 04/06/2026 16:39

Well its not like I picked the scratch card knowing it was a winner now was it!!

I didn't 'let her win'... If I was going to let her win anything it would be the jackpot and I would of kept it for myself!

Show quote history

Tbh some replies on here have really surprised me, saying 13 is far too young for this and they’d never etc - as a one off as well! Come on now. I think a lot of MNetters seem to baby their children, especially teenagers.

nonomo · 04/06/2026 16:59

People are being ridiculous here.

It’s a nice, fun gift and exciting for her that she won. It doesn’t mean she’s going to turn into a gambling addict!!

10DegreesNorth · 04/06/2026 16:57

I wouldn't. It's gambling and winning can be more psychologically risky than losing. Letting a child gamble when their brains are still so plastic isn't advisible.

witheringrowan · 04/06/2026 16:57

It's fine. My grandfather used to buy all of his grandkids a lotto lucky dip at New Years, none of us have been scarred for life.

trueredstart · 04/06/2026 16:55

What a great return on that scratch card!

youalright · 04/06/2026 16:54

People saying 13 is to young and encourages gambling i think thats better then buying a 16 year old one at 13 she can't think this is great il go buy more at 16 she could. Personally I would never buy anyone a scratchcard or lottery tickets but thats for selfish reasons as if they won a significant amount of money with a ticket I bought I wouldn't handle it well.

MyMilchick · 04/06/2026 16:52

Of course it's just a bit of fun fgs

Churlist · 04/06/2026 16:52

I can’t imagine giving this as a present to my kids. But I can’t see that it will do any damage to yours either

Original poster
Fidbdfb · 04/06/2026 16:52

TheLurpackYears · 04/06/2026 16:48

If she’d won thousands, would she even be able to claim the prize at 13?

Using common sense here ... I would claim the prize and transfer the money.

Just like I will go in the shop and claim the £100 and give it to her.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fidbdfb · 04/06/2026 16:50

DandelionClockSeeds · 04/06/2026 16:49

I think buying scratch (or lottery) cards for anyone is a risk, because if a big win comes up, it creates issues.
Imagine you bought a pair if siblings a scratch card, and one won thousands, and the other won nothing......

That's life though.

My son will get one on his birthday this year and if he doesnt win then thats just life!

OP posts:
Original poster
Fidbdfb · 04/06/2026 16:49

ThejoyofNC · 04/06/2026 16:48

People on Mumsnet are so boring sometimes. Do they also refuse to let their kids play the raffle or tombola at the school fete as well?

We love the chocolate tombola in this house 😂

OP posts:
DandelionClockSeeds · 04/06/2026 16:49

I think buying scratch (or lottery) cards for anyone is a risk, because if a big win comes up, it creates issues.
Imagine you bought a pair if siblings a scratch card, and one won thousands, and the other won nothing......

Original poster
Fidbdfb · 04/06/2026 16:49

Rubbleonthedouble2 · 04/06/2026 16:44

13 is too young. I think traditionally you'd get scratch cards for an 18th birthday.

You are encouraging a child to gamble. I wouldn't do it, personally.

What if she'd won the jackpot? Would you confiscate £100k to pay off the mortgage or let her keep it?

I suspect you didn't think it through.

I did think it through....

Yes she would be able to keep it!! I don't even have 100k left on my mortgage.

OP posts:
TheLurpackYears · 04/06/2026 16:48

If she’d won thousands, would she even be able to claim the prize at 13?

ThejoyofNC · 04/06/2026 16:48

People on Mumsnet are so boring sometimes. Do they also refuse to let their kids play the raffle or tombola at the school fete as well?

Happyhappyzoozoo · 04/06/2026 16:48

I’m pretty anti gambling and I don’t think I’d buy one for my own children (although mainly just because it’s something I’d not think to buy full stop) but I don’t think it’s a big deal generally and I wouldn’t think anything of it if a friend told me they’d done the same as you.

Original poster
Fidbdfb · 04/06/2026 16:47

Fidbdfb · 04/06/2026 16:39

Well its not like I picked the scratch card knowing it was a winner now was it!!

I didn't 'let her win'... If I was going to let her win anything it would be the jackpot and I would of kept it for myself!

Show quote history

And just to clarify what I meant about keeping it myself..
I meant that if I somehow had the ability to pick only winning scratch cards, then I’d probably just buy them for myself in general!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Fidbdfb · 04/06/2026 16:45

Choccyp1g · 04/06/2026 16:39

Did you let her keep the £100? If it had won thousands, would you have expected her to give most of it to you?

That's why I would never buy a scratchcard for anyone. Most of the time you are giving them something worthless, but if it is a winner there will probably be bad feeling.

Of course, it’s her £100!

I’d have been happy for her no matter what she won. If it had been £5,000, I’d have suggested putting it aside for something she might need in the future, like a car. And if she’d won the top prize, I’d have encouraged saving it towards something big, like a house.

I only buy scratch cards for people I’d genuinely be thrilled to see win, and I truly am so happy that she did!

OP posts:
Happyhappyzoozoo · 04/06/2026 16:45

I think that’s a you problem? Most people would just be happy for their friend or loved one in that situation ime

ThisChirpyFox · 04/06/2026 16:45

It isn't like you buy her one regularly. It was a bit of fun and she won! I wouldn't worry about it

Rubbleonthedouble2 · 04/06/2026 16:44

13 is too young. I think traditionally you'd get scratch cards for an 18th birthday.

You are encouraging a child to gamble. I wouldn't do it, personally.

What if she'd won the jackpot? Would you confiscate £100k to pay off the mortgage or let her keep it?

I suspect you didn't think it through.

JuneJoys · 04/06/2026 16:44

Arghhhhhh 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

the world is going mad😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

@Fidbdfb of course it's just a bit of fun. But that's being stopped! Can't be having fun these days.

lucky dip & tombola to go next!

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