Businesses investigated after children allowed to use gambling machines

Challenge 25 sign

Investigations are under way into two Rochdale businesses after they allowed children to gamble on their premises.

The businesses, which cannot be named as investigations are currently ongoing, allowed 16-year-old volunteers to gamble without questioning their age or asking for identification during an exercise run by Rochdale Borough Council.

The volunteers were accompanied by the council’s trading standards team, licensing team and the Gambling Commission in the exercise which tested four businesses in the borough.

Under the Gambling Act (2003) it is an offence to allow a person under the age of 18 to enter an adult gaming centre, betting premises, and areas within a family entertainment centre that contain any category C gaming machines.

In the test exercise, the children were allowed to gamble on category C gaming machines without being asked for identification at one bookmakers and one amusement arcade. These machines allow stakes of £1 and pay out up to £100.

Full investigations will now be conducted into the two premises and appropriate action will be taken. This could mean that the premises receive warnings, cautions, or even a prosecution depending on their history and other intelligence.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Gambling can have a devastating impact on a person’s life so it’s important we work hard to ensure businesses are fulfilling their duty to operate responsibly.

“We will continue to work with all businesses selling age-restricted products and services to protect the health and wellbeing of our young people.”

This test purchasing exercise is part of a council crackdown on underage sales. The council regularly tests licensed premises and retail outlets to prevent dangerous age-restricted products such as alcohol, tobacco and knives being purchased by children.

Rochdale’s public protection team encourages traders to operate Challenge 25 which means traders are expected to ask for photographic ID from anyone who appears to be under 25 years old. Admittance into these premises should only be made once ID has been produced that proves a customer is over 18.

Residents with concerns about any suspected supply of alcohol, tobacco or other age restricted products to underage children should report it via the confidential Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 040506.

If you are concerned about your own gambling habits, help is available. You can visit the Gamblers Anonymous website www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk or call 0161 976 5000.