Menu
27/07/2004
Concern as children under 11 'able to gamble online': report
Children as young as 11 can set up gambling accounts on a huge number of websites, according to new report published today.
A report by leading children's charity NCH, GamCare and CitizenCard, found that only seven out of 37 gambling sites tested stopped a 16-year-old registering her details online. The youngster from London was able to lie successfully about her age and register her details on websites under test conditions using her Solo card, the report said.
Many sites would also allow her to gamble in several ways, including interactive television, mobile telephones and telephone betting, using the same account set up online.
This is despite the existence of age verification systems specially designed to block accounts for under-18s at the point of registration.
Minister for Gambling Andrew McIntosh said the findings were "very worrying" as technology had clearly been unable to keep pace with gambling laws.
"Having already warned the industry that Solo cards should be treated with caution it is disappointing to find so many haven't taken this on board. I will raise this with them again, and I'm confident that they will respond positively this time. The banking sector should take some responsibility too," he said.
The Minister pledged to do everything possible to help the gambling industry properly identify whether their customers are 18 or not.
He added: "We hope to introduce the Gambling Bill in Autumn and this will include powerful new protections for children including a requirement that remote gambling sites operating from the UK will, by law, be compelled to make proper age verification checks."
Now NCH, GamCare and CitizenCard are calling for: online gambling sites to install effective age verification systems; the government to push forward measures to protect children from gambling; and banks and credit card companies to play a greater role in preventing underage gambling.
John Carr, NCH's Internet Advisor, said there were "no excuses" as the technology for these companies "to clean up their act" already exists.
"We urge everybody to install age verification software as a matter of urgency," he said.
(gmcg)
A report by leading children's charity NCH, GamCare and CitizenCard, found that only seven out of 37 gambling sites tested stopped a 16-year-old registering her details online. The youngster from London was able to lie successfully about her age and register her details on websites under test conditions using her Solo card, the report said.
Many sites would also allow her to gamble in several ways, including interactive television, mobile telephones and telephone betting, using the same account set up online.
This is despite the existence of age verification systems specially designed to block accounts for under-18s at the point of registration.
Minister for Gambling Andrew McIntosh said the findings were "very worrying" as technology had clearly been unable to keep pace with gambling laws.
"Having already warned the industry that Solo cards should be treated with caution it is disappointing to find so many haven't taken this on board. I will raise this with them again, and I'm confident that they will respond positively this time. The banking sector should take some responsibility too," he said.
The Minister pledged to do everything possible to help the gambling industry properly identify whether their customers are 18 or not.
He added: "We hope to introduce the Gambling Bill in Autumn and this will include powerful new protections for children including a requirement that remote gambling sites operating from the UK will, by law, be compelled to make proper age verification checks."
Now NCH, GamCare and CitizenCard are calling for: online gambling sites to install effective age verification systems; the government to push forward measures to protect children from gambling; and banks and credit card companies to play a greater role in preventing underage gambling.
John Carr, NCH's Internet Advisor, said there were "no excuses" as the technology for these companies "to clean up their act" already exists.
"We urge everybody to install age verification software as a matter of urgency," he said.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 June 2008
More British Troops To Be Deployed To Afghanistan
An additional 300 British troops are soon to be bound for Afghanistan. The news will be confirmed later today after Prime Minister Gordon Brown revealed the deployment, with Defence Secretary Des Browne due to give details in the Commons at 3.30pm.
More British Troops To Be Deployed To Afghanistan
An additional 300 British troops are soon to be bound for Afghanistan. The news will be confirmed later today after Prime Minister Gordon Brown revealed the deployment, with Defence Secretary Des Browne due to give details in the Commons at 3.30pm.
24 April 2006
New centre launched to target internet paedophiles
A new agency has been launched by the Home Office to tackle child sex abuse and internet paedophiles. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) centre is being headed by Jim Gamble, former Deputy Director General of the National Crime Squad.
New centre launched to target internet paedophiles
A new agency has been launched by the Home Office to tackle child sex abuse and internet paedophiles. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) centre is being headed by Jim Gamble, former Deputy Director General of the National Crime Squad.
09 May 2012
Call For Age-Ratings On Music DVDs
The government is planning to consult of whether music DVDs should carry movie-style age ratings. There are also proposals for online music videos to have warnings if they contain explicit content. The new proposals follow a review last year by Reg Bailey into the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood.
Call For Age-Ratings On Music DVDs
The government is planning to consult of whether music DVDs should carry movie-style age ratings. There are also proposals for online music videos to have warnings if they contain explicit content. The new proposals follow a review last year by Reg Bailey into the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood.
16 February 2005
Childhood obesity 'epidemic' exaggerated, claims study
A new report has suggested that childhood obesity rates in the UK may be overstated. The research was conducted by the Social Issues Research Council (SIRC), who receive funding from food companies such as Cadbury Schweppes Plc, and Kellogg's, as well as from the Home Office and Department of Health.
Childhood obesity 'epidemic' exaggerated, claims study
A new report has suggested that childhood obesity rates in the UK may be overstated. The research was conducted by the Social Issues Research Council (SIRC), who receive funding from food companies such as Cadbury Schweppes Plc, and Kellogg's, as well as from the Home Office and Department of Health.
17 July 2014
415 Jobs Cuts Announced At BBC News
A further 415 jobs are to be cut from the BBC's News department, the broadcaster has announced. It is the latest round of cuts imposed as part of cost-saving exercise following the freezing of the licence fee in 2010.
415 Jobs Cuts Announced At BBC News
A further 415 jobs are to be cut from the BBC's News department, the broadcaster has announced. It is the latest round of cuts imposed as part of cost-saving exercise following the freezing of the licence fee in 2010.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry for much of the night. Clear periods at first with mist and fog re-forming, Becoming cloudy later tonight with patchy drizzle towards the North Coast. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
