Reduced Underage Gambling by 3%, According to UKGC Survey Results

Reduced Underage Gambling by 3%, According to UKGC Survey Results

In a recent development, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published the results of its 2019 Young People and Gambling survey, shedding light on the gambling habits of young people in the UK and the Commission's efforts to safeguard them from potential harm.

The survey reviewed various formats of gambling and gambling-type games that young people participate in legally, including gambling on age-restricted products, playing cards for money with friends, and engaging with gambling style games on social media sites. The survey also found that 5% of minors start with private bets, usually with their friends, and that 83% of those surveyed stated that deals do not cause them to gamble.

However, the survey results come at a time when the UKGC is concerned about underage gambling on fruit machines and is taking steps to address the issue. A recent report published by the Commission highlighted the 84% of bars that failed to prevent underage gambling on fruit machines, prompting the Commission to call on bars in England and Wales to provide better safeguards to prevent young people from accessing these machines.

The UKGC is committed to protecting children and young people from gambling harms, including those related to fruit machines. To achieve this, the Commission has several initiatives in place, such as age verification, Machine Gaming Duty (MGD), and general regulatory changes. Age verification is crucial to ensure that users are of legal age to gamble, typically 18 years old. Operators must ensure this for both online platforms and land-based venues.

Fruit machines in bars are subject to MGD, but the search results do not provide specific details on recent changes or initiatives focused solely on these machines. The UKGC is implementing broader changes to protect consumers, including stake limits for online slots, restrictions on bonuses, and enhanced supplier oversight. These measures are designed to promote responsible gambling practices and could indirectly support efforts to prevent underage gambling by reducing overall exposure to gambling environments.

There is also growing concern about targeted advertising and its impact on vulnerable groups, including young people. While not specific to fruit machines, these issues highlight the broader challenges in protecting minors from gambling risks. The UKGC is working with the gaming industry and social media outlets to protect young people from risks associated with gambling style games, including loot boxes.

In conclusion, the UKGC is taking proactive steps to protect young people from gambling harms, though specific regulations for fruit machines in bars are not detailed in the current search results. The Commission emphasizes the importance of preventing underage gambling through strict age verification and responsible gaming practices.

1. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is alarmed by the high rate of underage gambling on fruit machines and is taking measures to address this issue, such as calling on bars in England and Wales to provide better safeguards.
2. The survey results indicate that while gambling trends among young people may vary, the UKGC remains committed to safeguarding them from potential gambling harm, including efforts to ensure responsible gambling practices.
3. The UKGC highlighted that 84% of bars failed to prevent underage gambling on fruit machines, prompting the Commission to urge for stricter age verification measures, both online and in land-based venues.
4. Despite the lack of specific details on recent changes or initiatives focused solely on fruit machines in bars, the UKGC is implementing broader changes to support responsible gambling, such as stake limits for online slots, restrictions on bonuses, and enhanced supplier oversight.
5. In conjunction with cracking down on underage gambling and enhancing responsible gambling practices, the UKGC is also addressing broader concerns about targeted advertising, particularly its impact on vulnerable populations like young people, and is working with the gaming industry and social media outlets to address these issues.

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