UKGC calls for improvements in prevention
The regulatory body highlighted failures to stop children from playing on pub gaming machines.
UK.- The UK Gaming Commission (UKGC) reported on Thursday that tests on a sample of pubs in England indicate that almost 90% failed to prevent children accessing gaming machines designed for people 18 or older. The UKGC does not regulate gaming machines located in pubs, as they are permitted to site them as part of the alcohol licence granted by local Licensing Authorities (LA).
The Gambling Commission has worked with licensing authorities and local police to test compliance with laws in place to protect children from the risks gambling can pose. Regulations establish that children are not permitted to play Category C gaming machines in pubs. Staff are expected to stop children playing on the machines and there should be clear signage indicating the age restriction, says the UKGC.
Announcing the results at the Institute of Licensing National Conference, Helen Rhodes, Programme Director at the UKGC, said: “We are extremely concerned that pubs across England are failing to stop children playing gaming machines designed for adults. We urgently call on the pub sector to take action immediately to enforce the laws in place to protect children and young people.”
“We expect to see significant improvement in further tests and will continue to work with licensing authorities to support any action required against those failing to adhere to the requirements.”
The current failure rate (89%) compares to an average failure rate of 15% to 30% for other age-restricted products such as alcohol or tobacco. The Commission has written to the pub industry today outlining the findings of our work and calling for urgent improvements.
“We urgently call the industry and their Trade Associations to take the results as a serious indication of the need to improve matters. We expect that the action taken will be reflected in significant improvements in future test results,” reads the letter to the pub industry, signed by Richard Watson, Executive Director Enforcement of the UKGC.
