Teenage gamblers face restrictions

Under a government shake up of existing gambling laws teenagers under 18 are to be barred from playing the National Lottery.

 

As part of a major review of gambling laws to protect children and vulnerable people from harm, from April 2021, the Lottery's minimum age will be raised to 18 for all online games. The move will bring the age limit in line with laws on alcohol, cigarettes, and voting in a general election.

 

The culture minister Nigel Huddleston said, "We're committed to protecting young people from gambling-related harm which is why we are raising the minimum age for the National Lottery.

 

He commented, "Patterns of play have changed since its inception, with a shift towards online games, and this change will help make sure the National Lottery, although already low-risk, is not a gateway to problem gambling."

 

In an effort to reduce the estimated 400,000 problem gamblers in the UK, of which 55,000 are said to be children, ministers will also consider strict limits on how much people can lose online and legally-enforced checks on whether players can afford their losses.

 

There could also be new curbs on sports sponsorship as well including a possible ban on logos on football shirts. 26 Premier League and Championship sides have multi-million-pound deals with betting firms, which has been criticised by campaigners including bishops of Church of England.

 

The review follows a series of high-profile cases of suicide and crime in gambling that sparked the creation of a 150-strong cross-party lobby of MPs and Lords, backed by the Prime Minister.

 

Alongside the Gambling Commission, the watchdog that regulates the industry, a new gambling ombudsman is being considered to act as an independent arbiter of customer complaints. The commission could also be handed increased powers to fine errant gambling firms, its biggest fine to date was for £13 million issued against casino operator Caesars in April this year for "systemic failings", which included allowing one customer to lose £1.6 million in a three-month period.

 

Lasting until March 3rd, the Government consultation signals a sharp brake on the liberalisation of gambling that was brought in by Tony Blair in 2007, a move which failed to anticipate the surge in real-money gaming and betting unleashed by the growth of smartphones and the internet.

 

The Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said, "Whilst millions gamble responsibly, the Gambling Act is an analogue law in a digital age. From an era of having a flutter in a high street bookmaker, casino, racecourse or seaside pier, the industry has evolved at breakneck speed. This comprehensive review will ensure we are tackling problem gambling in all its forms to protect children and vulnerable people."

 

Having already banned betting credit cards the Gambling Commission is conducting a review into gambling-like elements in children's video games. Under measures to boost online protections of children, new games could have to be tested or graded for addictiveness before they are launched.

 

The Government is also investigating whether to ban loot boxes in gaming, which have been blamed for drawing children into betting by offering prizes that can then be gambled for cash.

 

 

 

Broadgate Legal

London Solicitors