Recent articles in the media suggest that there have been a number of warnings issued relating to the underage use of gaming machines especially in country pubs as local authorities plan to carry out test cases. The problem is that a failure to adhere to the law bring little more than a warning to license holders.

It was claimed that in the vast majority of cases licensees will escape with little more than a warning if they fail a test purchase in this way. While the attitude for the selling of alcohol to those under 18 carries significant penalties and these are exercised, the penalty of 51 weeks in jail for allowing people under the age of 18 to play category C machines is more of a deterrent than a reality.

According to the Morning Advertiser they were only aware of one publican being fined for the Gambling Act offence relating to underage use of gambling machines. In fact they go on suggest that even campaigns in amusement arcades recently have resulted in no more than warnings, in spite of the fact that the test purchases were made after a letter had been sent to all arcade proprietors warning them in advance about the ‘sting’. But there will come a time when one or other local authority will take a stronger line.

Age restriction applies to the use of category C machines with a maximum stake of £1 and £70 prizes. Category D machines, which still have 10p/30p stakes and £5/£8 (non-money) prizes are not age restricted and can be sited away from bar supervision.

As local authorities are struggling financial, they are looking to make better use of their enforcement teams and as such they have move just emphasising underage alcohol sales to a range of underage rules.

Bingo clubs are warned to be extra vigilant. While rules of membership have been relaxed in recent years they need to ensure that only those over the age of 18 take part in gambling. Enforcement teams across the UK have been using individuals that are nearly 18 as test subjects which puts further pressure on operators to check valid forms of ID.