UK Gambling Commission pledges “firm action” on operators targeting children

The UK Gambling Commission has pledged to take “firm action” against any gambling operators targeting children, in an open letter to the Sunday Times.

The newspaper published an article over the weekend claiming operators were using cartoon characters to attract children to gambling products.

The article named Paddy Power, 888 and Casinoland as operators with cartoon games on their site.

And the UK regulator has responded in an open letter to the newspaper, re-iterating its stance that protecting children is a “clear priority”.

“Where businesses fail to protect vulnerable people, especially children, we have and will continue to take firm action,” said Tim Miller, the Gambling Commission’s executive director of corporate affairs.

“Earlier this year we announced that we had commenced a wide ranging review of online gambling. At the same time our expert advisers, the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board, are examining the wider relationship between children and gambling. Together these will give a clear picture of where further action may be necessary,” Miller added.

He also pointed to the successful prosecution of two YouTube users who were offering gambling on FIFA as an example of the regulator’s tough stance against anyone targeting minors.

Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of the Remote Gambling Association, said the gambling industry was not deliberately targeting youngsters and was working hard to reduce problem gambling.