What British regulators do to prevent underage gambling
With tight regulations in place, all licensed industry participants must comply with the established procedures to prevent minors from gambling-related harm.
Great Britain is home to a flourishing and well-regulated gambling industry whose total gross gaming yield amounted to an impressive £14.2 billion between April 2019 and March 2020.
With tight regulations in place, all licensed industry participants must comply with the established procedures to prevent minors from gambling-related harm.
The minimum lawful age for gambling in the country is 18 years old. However, this applies to sports betting, bingo and casino games, horse and greyhound race wagering, and online gambling. Citizens can purchase scratchcards or buy tickets for the National Lottery if they meet the minimum age requirement of 16. The question is do all Brits comply with these legal requirements? Let’s take a look at some figures to see to what extent the measures are effective.
UK Underage Gambling Participation in Numbers
The British gambling regulator, the UKGC, has consistently demonstrated commitment to protecting minors from gambling harm over the years. In 2020, the watchdog tasked the global market research company Ipsos MORI with a survey that aimed to measure the gambling participation rates among the British youth.
The coronavirus pandemic and the associated school closures partially affected the study because the results did not include youngsters from Wales. The study involved 1,645 Scottish and English secondary-school students within the 11 to 16 age group. As many as 9% of the survey participants admitted they have gambled with their own money within the past seven days prior to the survey.
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Approximately 37% of the English and Scottish surveyed pupils said they had gambled at least once in the past year. Around 1.9% of the students belonged to the category of problem gamblers, while 2.7% were at-risk of developing a problem.
Comparison with the 2019 Participation Rates
Let’s have a look at the results from the previous year to give readers more context. The 2019 Ipsos MORI survey was similar but it involved more participants – 2,943 students aged 11 to 16 from all over the country took part. As much as 11% of the kids said they had gambled with their own money over the past week, with an average spend of £17.
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As for problematic behaviour, 1.7% of the young people who partook in gambling belonged to the category of problem gamblers, while 2.7% were labelled as “at risk” gamblers. At first glance, the new figures indicate a decline in underage gambling participation.
Before anyone jumps to definitive conclusions, however, they should take into account the smaller sample size. The 2020 survey did not include students from Wales. The recent decline in underage gambling is by no means definitive. The latest figures do not represent the whole country as they did in previous years and are not conclusive.
UKGC Preventive Measures against Underage Gambling
Now, let’s see what procedures for preventing underage gambling the authorities have adopted to reduce participation rates among the British youth. One of the most important regulatory changes that occurred recently had to do with the age verification procedures at UK-licensed gambling sites.
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Rather than verifying the age after customers request their first withdrawal, UK operators must now validate all accounts before users have deposited and placed any bets. Each registered player must submit documents to verify their identity and affirm they are lawfully old enough to place bets. Only then they can gain access to the website’s cashier and the demo versions of the casino games.
Another key measure concerns minors’ exposure to gambling-related advertisements. The UK recently witnessed more solid restrictions on gambling advertising. British broadcasters cannot show gambling commercials during televised sports events before the 9 pm watershed. These restrictions are of immense importance, even more so considering the 2020 Ipsos MORI study showed 58% of English and Scottish school students have witnessed gambling ads or sponsorships.
What is more, 7% of them confirmed this caused them to gamble even though they initially had no intentions of doing so. In this vein, it is also worth mentioning the British Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) strictly prohibits gambling operators from using advertising content and imagery that may appeal to children and adolescents.
The UK regulators have strengthened their focus on preventing minors from being exposed to gambling marketing content. It is no secret that celebrities, influencers, and other public figures often serve as role models for youngsters, especially teenagers. The trouble is their influence is not always positive or healthy for the youth.
This is probably one of the main reasons why the British Committee on Advertising Practices (CAP) proposed to ban celebrities, reality stars, and sports personalities from participating in gambling-related marketing campaigns. CAP has started a public consultation on this subject and the measure has not yet come into effect. Some campaigners have even spoken in favour of a complete ban on gambling marketing but only time can tell what will happen.
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Responsible Behaviour Begins at Home
As tough regulators like the CAP, the UKGC, and the ASA are on gambling operators, the truth is responsible behaviour begins at home. It is up to parents and legal guardians to teach youngsters well and fill them in on the potential harms that come with excessive gambling.
The least they can do is set a good example and not gamble in front of the little ones. Parental controls are another effective approach when it comes to restricting minors’ access to gambling.
Never use your browser’s autosave feature to save the log-in credentials for your online gambling accounts. You can also block the access to gambling content on your child’s personal computer or smart device.
Parents can find free blocking software like Net Nanny or tools like BetBlocker on the internet. BetBlocker, in particular, has the capability of restricting the access to over 16,300 gambling sites. Last but not least, do not underestimate the importance of open dialogue. Parents should openly talk with their children so they can stop problematic behaviour before it even starts.
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Manchester Airport reveals multi-million-pound plans for much-maligned Terminal 3
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Airport’s Terminal 3 has become a bit of a meme of itself in recent years, with Mancs dreading a holiday that starts in the travel hub’s smallest terminal.
But now Manchester Airport has unveiled a multi-million pound project to totally revamp the space with a new entrance, more seats, new shops, new food and drink outlets, and state-of-the-art security equipment.
Set to complete next year, it’s part of the airport’s wider decade-long £1.3bn transformation programme, which has already seen Terminal 2 extended and redeveloped.
And now Manchester Airport has announced that Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 will merge into a much bigger travel hub to improve the passenger experience.
Visitors will first come across a remodelled entrance, as well as new security halls and departure lounges, with loads more space.
There’ll be brand-new security equipment to speed up passenger journeys, and 40% more seating capacity in the departures lounge.
A new 500-seat bar area with airfield views will be included in the revamped Terminal 3, plus an expanded 200-extra-seat dining area.
As for Terminal 2, phase one completed in 2021, winning the prestigious UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles award for architecture and design, with phase two set for completion later this year – that’ll bring the existing building up to the standard of the new extension and will include more than 20 new retailers, bars and restaurants.
CGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester AirportCGIs of the new-look Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport
Terminal 2 will host more than 70% of Manchester Airport’s total passengers, with the rest travelling through this new and improved Terminal 3 building that will include some of the existing Terminal 1 footprint.
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: “We are proud to connect the people of the North to the world – and our transformation programme means that our passengers will be able to enjoy an airport experience that rivals that of any European capital city.
“The work we’ve done in Terminal 2 is there for all to see – and we’ve already won the prestigious Prix Versailles award for its architecture and design. But until now we haven’t talked about our plans for Terminal 3.
“Moving to a two-terminal airport is giving us a great opportunity to use some of the existing Terminal 1 space to increase the footprint of Terminal 3. We’re doing that as well as making some all round improvements to Terminal 3 – so passengers will enjoy new security technology, more space, more seats, new retail and food and drink, and more.
“It’s another exciting step towards delivering an even better experience for our passengers and I can’t wait to see it progress.”
MediaCityUK makes huge pledge to Salford Youth Zone
Danny Jones
MediaCityUK has committed a sizeable new pledge to nearby Salford Youth Zone, becoming a key patron for the increasingly important community cornerstone.
Initial work on Salford Youth Zone (SYZ) only began back in 2023 but is already promising to become an important outlet for so many through the borough.
Set to open later this summer and now with backing from none other than the hugely influential entity that is MediaCityUK, SYZ’s inaugural year will hopefully get off to a wonderful start.
As its own city with the national media hub boasting a huge reputation of its own, its great to get more eyes on and profile behind the project.
Teaming up with Salford Council and Empower Youth Zone (EMPOWER) – the youth work charity behind the already established HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton and the soon-to-open SYZ – MediaCity has become the latest and one of their most generous patrons yet.
Pledging a huge donation of £100,000, MediaCity will be supporting the charity at large with an extensive volunteering and business support programme over the next four years at the very least.
As a Landsec Futures employability partner and influential hub for the creative industries in the UK, MediaCity are looking to work closely with SYZ and its partners to provide greater access in creative spaces and with local businesses.
Landsec (who have recently acquired full ownership of the MediaCity brand) are equally committed to creating places that deliver lasting positive impact for both communities and the environment.
As per an official announcement of the partnership, “It joins the growing EMPOWER patron community, funding vital services that enable young people to break down barriers, unlock potential, and build brighter futures.”
Salford Youth Zone – situated adjacent to Belvedere Road and Broadwalk in Pendleton – is set to open seven days a week, deliver more than 200 volunteering days each year, as well as offer completely free membership to support thousands of young people in the city and across Greater Manchester.
For those who have come across the exciting new ‘FRAMELESS’ exhibition over in Salford Quays, this comes not only in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery but SYZ itself in one of its first big activitations for 2025.
Here’s a whistle-stop tour of the £6.2 million youth centre and activities space.
Speaking in an official statement, MediaCity Managing Director Martin Chown said of the welcome new partnership: “Salford is an important part of our journey, and deepening our roots here reflects our commitment to enriching the communities we’re part of.
“Partnering with EMPOWER will help us continue to drive forward a thriving creative community while s upporting talented young people. MediaCity has become a cornerstone of Salford’s identity, helping the city attract leading businesses and driving investment into the city.
“It’s a bridge between Salford and the creative industries, and we want to ensure local people feel like a career in the creative industries is within their reach. EMPOWER’s arrival in Salford will make a material difference to young people and the wider community, so we’re proud to be supporting the team.”
Adam Farricker, CEO of Empower, went on to add: “Our partnership with Landsec is another powerful step towards our mission to support young people across Greater Manchester. MediaCity sits at the heart of the city, and we want our young people to feel connected to its energy and community spirit.
“Young people are full of potential but often need the right support to overcome the barriers they face and truly believe in themself. Together, with the MediaCity team and Landsec, we’re working to ensure every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to grow, succeed, and move towards a better future.”
With the recently unveiled ‘Content Studio’ to boot, it’s happening in Salford and another exciting event is also heading back to MediaCity this season.
The Manc -
15th January 2021 
