How to address underage gaming?

Who should take responsibility?

Responsible Gaming Day 17th April 2008

How to address underage gaming?

Who should take responsibility?

Responsible Gaming Day 17th April 2008

Shared responsibility

• Industry

• Government / Regulators

• Education and information

• Others?

Shared responsibility

• Industry

• Government / Regulators

• Education and information

• Others?

Industry

• Responsible industry has been self-regulating for some time

• Third party verification tools• Signage and information on the gaming site• Reinforcement of age requirement within

registration• Free play should have same age

requirement as real play• Advertising and promotion should not

target minors

Industry

• Responsible industry has been self-regulating for some time

• Third party verification tools• Signage and information on the gaming site• Reinforcement of age requirement within

registration• Free play should have same age

requirement as real play• Advertising and promotion should not

target minors

Government / Regulators

• One of the three primary objectives of the Gambling Act 2005 is the protection of children and vulnerable

• Practical and enforceable, focusing on high risk payment types

• Clear sanctions for license holders not found to be making appropriate age / identity checks

• Consistency across jurisdictions

Government / Regulators

• One of the three primary objectives of the Gambling Act 2005 is the protection of children and vulnerable

• Practical and enforceable, focusing on high risk payment types

• Clear sanctions for license holders not found to be making appropriate age / identity checks

• Consistency across jurisdictions

Education and information

• Engaging parental / youth awareness of risks associated with gaming

• Information held on gaming site• Public education website www.gambleaware.co.uk> legal availability of gaming services> filtering tools / blocking software> industry responsibility> preventing access to credit / debit cards

Education and information

• Engaging parental / youth awareness of risks associated with gaming

• Information held on gaming site• Public education website www.gambleaware.co.uk> legal availability of gaming services> filtering tools / blocking software> industry responsibility> preventing access to credit / debit cards

Others?

• Financial institutions / payment processors

Others?

• Financial institutions / payment processors

Summary

• By sharing responsibility we can minimise underage gaming

• It is unlikely that we can remove all instances of underage gaming. Gaming companies must have policy in place to respond when an underage player is identified

• Consistent regulation and proper education is key to achieving an effective industry-wide response to underage gaming

Summary

• By sharing responsibility we can minimise underage gaming

• It is unlikely that we can remove all instances of underage gaming. Gaming companies must have policy in place to respond when an underage player is identified

• Consistent regulation and proper education is key to achieving an effective industry-wide response to underage gaming