UKGC to initiate child safety program
UK Gambling Commission Pledges to Shield Underage Individuals From Gambling Dangers
To address the ongoing debate surrounding underage gambling in the UK, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) have proposed regulatory changes aimed at safeguarding children and young people from the potential harm associated with gambling.
These new measures center around strengthening age verification procedures for gambling platforms. The proposed plan also consists of increasing the minimum age for National Lottery customers to 18 years old.
Additionally, UKGC Director Tim Miller revealed that coordinated prevention measures are being planned in collaboration with the government, local authorities, operators, and trade organizations. This includes a focus on identifying and eliminating weaknesses in age verification systems, as well as a proactive approach to compliance enforcement through a "targeted compliance and enforcement action" planned for this year.
In his presentation, Miller highlighted the need for enhanced collaboration between RGSB and UKGC, emphasizing the significance of these collaborative efforts on a long-term, unwavering commitment to safeguard children and young people. He also acknowledged the complexities surrounding child protection in the digital age and expressed the importance of a multi-layered approach involving formative institutions, gambling operators, and parents.
Data from a 2017 UKGC survey reveals that 12% of 11- to 16-year-old British youths admitted to engaging in gambling activities within the past week. During the same period, 80% of these youngsters saw gambling advertisements on TV, and 10% stated they were following specific gambling providers on social media platforms.
The recent wave of media coverage on the topic of gambling addiction among minors has put the UKGC and various operators under scrutiny due to their perceived failure to adequately protect youngsters. This coverage includes reports from outlets such as The Sun, which called out Internet companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook for promoting free-to-play apps that appear targeted towards children, even those under four years of age.
In June, the Daily Mirror published a series of images of online casino slots designed in a toy-like manner, with the provocative title "Gambling websites claim these cute cartoon slot machines are not aimed at children."
Another outlet, The Guardian, characterized the situation as a "student gambling epidemic," reporting on minors who racked up losses of £20,000 playing poker in late-night casinos.
This summer, the British advertising regulatory authority, ASA, banned three advertising spots from GVC-affiliated bookmaker Ladbrokes Coral due to their alleged child-friendly designs.
Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the British Labour Party, added his support to the media campaign by stating that Britain is experiencing a "hidden epidemic of gambling addiction," with online and smartphone gambling being a significant factor in the issue. He advocated for a new gambling law suitable for the digital age to effectively regulate these rapidly-evolving products.
As UKGC Director Tim Miller's new strategy plan takes shape, the long-term commitment to safeguarding children and young people remains unchanged. The extent to which this new approach provides an effective response to the escalating concerns about gaming addiction among underage individuals remains to be seen.
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