Responding to a report published today by the Gambling Commission
on the under-age use of gaming machines in pubs, Cllr Simon
Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and
Stronger Communities Board, said:
“These findings are worrying and highlight significant
shortcomings in the pubs that were visited. If these findings
reflect the wider pub industry's ability to ensure
responsible oversight of adult only gaming machines, that would
be extremely concerning.
“It is vital our children and young people are kept safe and
protected from the problems gambling can cause.
“Pub managers must be as vigilant about under age gambling as
they are about under-age drinking. It is completely unacceptable
to turn a blind eye to children playing gaming machines that are
restricted to over-18s, which risks young people becoming
addicted to gambling.
“However, promoting responsible gambling and supporting
vulnerable customers cannot simply be left to individual staff
working in pub premises who have not been properly trained on
gambling issues, and who may be managing premises
single-handedly.
“This is why the LGA has joined the Gambling Commission in
calling on the pub industry and their trade associations to
address the findings of this report and take urgent action to
prevent young people from developing possible gambling problems
as they grow older, which research has shown creates huge costs
for the NHS, councils and the criminal justice system.”
