Seven Bookmakers Face Regulatory Action from UKGC

The UK Gambling Commission has revealed that seven racecourse bookmakers are facing licence reviews after allowing a 16-year-old to place a bet.

Officers from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead conducted Age Verification test at Royal Ascot. The test was supported by the Gambling Commission and Trading Standards. Of the 17 operators being tested, seven operators face regulatory action from the Commission.

“These licence reviews show how strongly we feel about underage gambling. Every single gambling business must protect children from gambling but the on course bookmakers results have remained unacceptable,” Richard Watson Executive Director of UKGC said.

“Despite various educational attempts to raise standards, by ourselves and the trade bodies, the on-course sector has historically performed poorly in both underage gambling test purchase exercises and Think 21 testing. Pass rates have failed to meet the standards expected and the sector has consistently performed to levels below those we see in other gambling and age restricted products. By way of example, over the past four years, the on-course sector has a pass rate of around 35% for Think 21 testing. We welcome the positive initiate by the local authority and the racecourse to raise standards in the gambling industry,” Watson added.