Gambling scratchcards should only be sold to over-18s, MP Philip Davies has told the House of Commons.

Mr Davies – whose Shipley constituency includes Cullingworth and Denholme – said the government must urgently review why 16-year-olds are allowed to buy the cards, when all other forms of gambling have an age limit of 18.

Speaking in Culture, Media and Sport questions in the Commons, Mr Davies said: “According to a recent health survey, the only two forms of gambling that the poorest people are more likely to participate in than the richest people are actually bingo and scratchcards.

“Given that, can the minister justify allowing 16-year-olds to buy scratchcards when any other form of gambling is 18, and will she review it urgently and make sure that buying scratchcards is something that can only be done by over 18-year-olds?”

Culture Minister Helen Grant said she would look into scratchcards.