BGC Highlights Commitment to Countering Underage Gambling

BGC has released a short video that showcases members’ “zero tolerance” approach to betting by under-18s, as well as a range of initiatives the BGC has launched since it was formed less than 18 months ago.

They include tough new rules further preventing under-18s from being able to view betting adverts online. BGC members are also funding a £10 million national education programme for young people, delivered by YGAM and GamCare, which aims to educate 120,000 young people and train over 100,000 professionals. The project has already exceeded its first-year targets.

The animation also warns of the threat from the illegal and growing online black market which has none of the protections for under-18s offered by the regulated sector.

A new page on the BGC website includes further measures which are in the pipeline to protect young people, as well as the new code of conduct aimed at preventing football clubs from using their social media platforms to promote gambling offers.

Michael Dugher, chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “As the standards body representing the regulated industry, we are committed to doing all we can to protect young people.

“Our members rightly have a zero-tolerance approach on this issue, which is why we have welcomed the Government’s decision to increase the minimum age for playing the National Lottery to 18. For our part, we have introduced a raft of new online protections for young people and taken action to reduce their exposure to gambling advertising, and our work with YGAM and GamCare is also delivering results, with progress during the first year of the partnership far exceeding expectations.

“We are making good progress, as our new animation shows, but we are committed to doing even more as part of our ongoing drive to deliver change and raise standards.”