Bookmakers Make Considerable Progress

Bookmakers encouraged to further progress in preventing under-age betting.

Bookmakers have been praised for the "considerable progress" they have made in preventing people who are under the age of 18 from placing a bet.

Research carried out by the Gambling Commission, found that in 65 per cent of the 160 shops visited, a person under 18 years of age was prevented from placing a bet at the counter.

The director of regulation at the Commission, Nick Tofiluk, said: "The Commission is pleased that operators have responded rapidly to the action we took earlier this year."

He added that as young people under 18 are not permitted to gamble there must be "no let up" in the effort to improve.

Ladbrokes was found to be the most efficient in denying service to under-18s, with 74 per cent being refused.

The Commission has announced that it will be working with local councils and engaging with operators whose shops were visited to secure immediate improvement plans.

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in the UK.