Gaming and gambling
The Commission is currently placing the spotlight on children’s games, offered for free on most online sites. Whilst there’s no gambling involved the use of popular cartoon characters, in conjunction with gambling formats such as roulette, is seen as normalising the activity for future generations. In order to counter this trend age verification checks are now required to be more stringent, and the 72-hour delay, which has operated to-date is being scrapped.
- Allowing people under the age of 18 to gamble could be subject to an unlimited fine and/or up to 51 weeks imprisonment.
- A young person aged between 16-18 who has gambled unlawfully could be fined up to £1,000.
- Online gambling sites must be able to demonstrate that they have taken all reasonable steps to determine the age of their players.
- It is illegal for people under the age of 16, to participate in lotteries
- AgePass validates the age to be 18 or over at the time of access to gaming and gambling sites.