Labour deputy leader warns over impact of social games on children

The UK politician claims social games available on Facebook could lead children to develop a gambling addiction when they grow older.

UK.- Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, believes children may be in danger as these type of games normalize behaviors associated with gambling.

Watson’s comments came after The Guardian published an article saying that gambling-style apps which target young people are being offered on Facebook without any checks on age.

The newspaper’s report focused on social titles developed by Scientific Games that features characters from The Flintstones and Rapunzel as well as Christmas-themed games.

“Games designed to get children in the habit of gambling are being marketed. The company that makes these products is cynically targeting young people, some of whom are at risk of developing gambling addictions later in life,” Watson commented.