Preventing underage gambling

Operators must ensure that they prevent underage gambling.

Casinos, Off-course betting, Adult Gaming Centres

Under-18s are not allowed into any part of the gambling facilities on these premises.

To make sure that underage people do not gain access, operators must:

  • Check your age if they believe that you might be under 18,
  • Take action if you are under 18 and you do attempt to enter their premises, and
  • Take action to remove you if you cannot provide a suitable form of identification when asked to do so.

“Suitable identification” is identification that is valid and contains both your photo and date of birth, for example driving licence, passport, or Connexions card.

Operators must not serve adults who have a child or underage person with them. If you are an adult and you knowingly take children on to these premises, you face exclusion or prosecution.

Operators must not target under-18s by advertising their products in a way that makes them attractive to this age group.

Bingo halls and venues, On-course betting, Family Entertainment Centres

Under-18s are allowed on these premises, but must not enter adult-only areas.

To make sure that underage people do not gain access to adult-only areas, operators must:

  • Check your age if you look as though you may be under 18,
  • Refuse you entry to adult-only areas if you cannot provide a suitable form of identification when asked to do so, and
  • Take action if there are unlawful attempts to enter adult-only areas.

“Suitable identification” is identification that is valid and contains both your photo and date of birth, for example driving licence, passport, or Connexions card.

Some premises do not allow access to under-18s. Where this is the case, age checks must be carried out at the main entrances.

Lotteries

If the person selling lottery tickets believes that you may be under 16, they must ask you to prove your identity before selling you a ticket.

Remote gambling

All operators licensed or approved by the Gambling Commission must make sure that when you apply to register with them to gamble they:

  • Advise you that underage gambling is an offence,
  • Require you to confirm that you are old enough to gamble legally, and
  • Take action to verify your age.

When you register to gamble with any payment method other than a credit card, the operator must carry out additional age checks to make sure you are over 18. This is because some forms of payment, for example debit cards, can be held by under-18s.

No winnings should be paid to you until your age is verified. If, after 72 hours, the operator has not been able to verify your age, they should freeze your account until they are able to do so. If you are later found to be underage, your account will be closed. Your stakes will be returned to you, but you will not be paid any winnings.

To further protect you, gambling internet sites must allow for filtering software to be used, for example by parents or schools. Sites must also carry out regular credit checks, and make sure that staff are properly trained in age verification.