The Gambling Commission, working with local council licensing authorities around Britain, has been testing the compliance of betting shops with the regulation that prohibits those under 18 from placing a bet. In May, nationwide test purchase visits found a disturbing number of venues (98 out of 100 premises visited) allowed under 18 year olds to place a bet. The results this time show that the major betting operators have improved since then.

Of the 160 shops visited, operated by Ladbrokes, William Hill, Tote, Betfred and Gala Coral, 65% prevented a young person under 18 from placing a bet. Ladbrokes had the best record with 74% and Gala Coral trailed the group with 57%. This week the Commission is meeting with the operators to discuss the detailed results and how they plan to secure the further improvements needed. The rolling programme of test purchase visits will continue as part of the ongoing compliance programme.

The exercise also covered initial visits to a small sample of those medium and smaller betting operators in England and Wales that make up 20% of the total number of betting shops. The results were poor with only 35% of betting shops visited preventing someone under age from betting at the counter. Again, the Commission, working with local councils, is rapidly engaging with those operators whose shops were visited to secure immediate improvement plans.

Specific local events, commencing early next year, will be held for all smaller operators to discuss compliance under the Gambling Act 2005. The Director of Regulation at the Commission, Nick Tofiluk, said “The Commission is pleased that operators have responded rapidly to the action we took earlier this year. However young people under 18 are not permitted to gamble; there must be no let up in the effort to improve. Test purchase exercises, by both the Commission and licensing authorities, will continue." (E-12.08.09)

© Copyright 2009 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage