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AIBU?

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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:
Floppyearedlab · 04/06/2026 16:42

She’s jealous

Make sure you put it in DD savings account or use it for a fun experience for you both

Malasana · 04/06/2026 16:40

13 is probably too young in my opinion.

LilacDrift · 04/06/2026 16:40

I bet she was thrilled!

It's fine.

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.

Original poster
Fidbdfb · 04/06/2026 16:39

BlueWellieSocks · 04/06/2026 16:36

Well, if letting her win £100 on a scratch card isn't a way to encourage a child to gamble I don't know what is.

Edited

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!

OP posts:
hugasaurus · 04/06/2026 16:38

My SIL always gets us a couple for Christmas and our kids are much younger! We have fun scratching them off Grin

Scarydinosaurs · 04/06/2026 16:37

It’s not something I would do as it is gambling and I wouldn’t want to introduce a problem. Same with other addictive things.

TeenLifeMum · 04/06/2026 16:36

I wouldn’t say anything but 13 is far too young imo. I’ve got two 14 year olds and can’t imagine doing this. Just make sure she realises most people lose.

BlueWellieSocks · 04/06/2026 16:36

Well, if letting her win £100 on a scratch card isn't a way to encourage a child to gamble I don't know what is.

Nicelynicelyjohnson · 04/06/2026 16:35

You have to be 18 to buy/play a scratch card.

I have no problem with my younger kids having them occasionally. We put the odd one in a Christmas stocking.

They have learnt all too soon that they rarely win.

Lots of people really hate gambling though, many with very good reason.

TulipsMakeMeHappy · 04/06/2026 16:35

I'm very anti-gambling as it can have such dire consequences, and I think it sets people up with a bad mindset often. So, if she's over 16 I guess it's ok as a one off, but not something I'd encourage.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 04/06/2026 16:35

Probably a bit young for scratch cards even as a one off, but not the huge deal your friend has made it into.

I think you just need to make sure your dd knows they don’t usually win!

Original poster
Fidbdfb · 04/06/2026 16:34

She is 13.

OP posts:
Malasana · 04/06/2026 16:33

It depends how old the child is really.

I’d not want my child to equate gambling and winning at an early age when they don’t also understand that they’re more likely to lose.

LauritaEvita · 04/06/2026 16:33

I remember our teacher buying each of us a lottery ticket as we were too young to buy them. Think it was a massive rollover that everyone was talking about at the time. None of us were scarred for life by it. Your friend sounds mad.

PurpleLovecats · 04/06/2026 16:32

How old is she?

FionnulaTheCooler · 04/06/2026 16:32

How old is your daughter? If she's over the legal age to use scratchcards I don't see the odd one as an issue. People think nothing of playing the regular lottery every week.

Besidemyselfwithworry · 04/06/2026 16:31

Way over the top
it’s a bit of fun
hope she enjoys spending her winnings!

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