The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a stern warning regarding underage gambling, emphasizing the critical importance of responsible gaming practices. This comes as Safer Gambling Week 2024 highlights ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable individuals and promote safer gambling environments across Europe.
UKGC’s Stance on Underage Gambling
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has reiterated its strong stance against underage gambling, urging parents and guardians to be vigilant. A 2016 report revealed that approximately 450,000 children aged 11-15 in England and Wales gambled weekly, with an estimated 9,000 at risk of developing a gambling problem. The most common forms of gambling among this age group included fruit machines, playing cards for money, and National Lottery scratchcards.
-
The UKGC stresses that gambling businesses are mandated to prevent underage gambling and that strict action is taken against non-compliance.
Safer Gambling Week 2024 Initiatives
Safer Gambling Week 2024, running from November 18th to 24th, is a cross-continent initiative uniting the gambling industry, government bodies, and charities. The campaign aims to raise awareness about responsible gambling and provide support for those in need. Key themes include:
-
Setting limits (time and deposit)
-
Gambling is not a way to make money
-
Taking breaks
-
Prioritizing friends and family over gambling
-
Never chasing losses
Available tools for players include:
-
Self-exclusion from gambling platforms
-
Blocking gambling websites and payments
-
Limiting gambling content exposure
Responsible Gambling Tools and Regulations
Both the UK and US gambling markets have implemented various tools and regulations to promote responsible gambling. These include:
-
Self-Exclusion and Time Limits: Players can block access to platforms for set periods or permanently, and set session time limits.
-
Deposit and Loss Limits: Users can set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on deposits and losses.
-
Player Monitoring and Behavioral Analytics: Algorithms analyze betting patterns to detect signs of problematic behavior, allowing operators to intervene with advice or account restrictions.
In the UK, the UKGC oversees stringent regulations, including a ban on credit card usage for gambling introduced in April 2020. GAMSTOP, a national self-exclusion program, allows players to block themselves from all UK-licensed gambling platforms. Advertising restrictions also limit exposure to minors.
Legal Gambling Age
The legal gambling age varies by region:
|
Region |
General Legal Age |
Exceptions/Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
UK |
18 |
16 for National Lottery and scratchcards |
|
US |
Varies by state |
Typically 21 for casinos/poker; some states allow 18 for lottery/horse racing |
|
Canada |
Varies by province |
18 or 19 depending on the province |
Underage gambling carries significant legal consequences for both individuals and operators, underscoring the importance of age verification and adherence to legal requirements.