The government wants to make sure ‘children can do no forms of gambling’ and has suggested new limits on online slot machines

Children who play online slot machines or buy scratchcards could face tough new limits to protect them.

A new gambling white paper has been published by the government which aims, in part, to protect people from the rise of online gambling and the fact that ‘there’s a Las Vegas on every phone’.

And it proposes tougher regulations and ‘vulnerability’ checks to help families coping with gambling addiction.

Data from the Gambling Commission in 2019 found that 1.7% of 11-16 year olds – around 55,000 children – are classified as problem gamblers. A further 85,000 are ‘estimated to be at risk’. And their figures show boys are more likely to be defined as problem or at-risk gamblers than girls.

Culture secretary Lucy Frazer told the Commons:

‘When gambling becomes addiction, it can wreck lives. Shattered families, lost jobs, foreclosed homes, jail time, suicide.

‘These are all the most extreme scenarios. But it is important we acknowledge that for some families those worst fears for their loved ones have materialised.’

She explained that the government will do more to protect children, saying:

‘We are ensuring children can do no forms of gambling either online or on widely accessible scratchcards.’

What is the gambling White Paper?

The long-awaited government white paper on gambling was published at the end of April.

It includes a number of proposals that could help families who are affected by gambling addictions.

The suggested reforms are especially important as gambling has been ‘transformed’ due to smartphones. When the Gambling Act 2005 was introduced, people mostly bet in casinos and at racetracks. Now, it’s mostly done online.

According to Lucy Frazer, this means ‘now there’s a Las Vegas on every phone’.

The White Paper proposals include:

• Stake limits of between £2-£15 for online slot machines (these could be lower for 18-24 year olds)
• ‘Financial vulnerability checks’ on gamblers who are losing large amounts of money (£1,000 in 24 hours or £2,000 over 90 days)
• Strengthening pub licensing laws to prevent children from playing slot machines with cash prizes in pubs
• Ban all lotteries from offering tickets to under-18s

The NHS mental health director Claire Murdoch welcomed the white paper and said:

‘The NHS has long called for action to tackle gambling addiction which destroys people’s lives – I have personally heard of countless examples of people bereaved by gambling addiction or who have contemplated suicide – so I am delighted that the Government has committed to tackling this cruel disease.’

What is the gambling age in the UK?

It’s illegal for children under 18 to gamble. This includes betting on horses, visiting a casino or buying a lottery ticket.

However there is no minimum age for children who want to play on ‘low-stake’ fruit machine style machines in arcades like penny falls or crane grabs.

Recent research found the first gambling experience for most young people is fruit or slot machines.  

The 2022 Young People and Gambling report, published by the Gambling Commission, shows that 31% of 11 to 16 year olds had spent their own money on some form of gambling over the previous 12 months.

What do campaigners say about the gambling White Paper?

While the white paper has been welcomed, campaigners say it doesn’t go far enough to protect the growing numbers of people gambling, including young people and those with a sports betting addiction.

Louise Davies, director of advocacy and policy at charity Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) said:

‘The abuses of the gambling industry and the scale of gambling-related harms in Britain are crystal clear. There is no need for further consultation on measures that are broadly supported such as a statutory levy and affordability checks. We need legislation.’

Gambling addiction on the rise

The government has estimated that ‘0.5% of the adult population has a problem with gambling, 3.8% are gambling at at-risk levels, and 7% are affected negatively by other people’s gambling.’

While the majority of gamblers are men or teen boys, the number of women gambling has doubled in 5 years.

Gambling problems are a frequent topic of conversation on our Netmums Money Advice Board.

Families are increasingly affected by a parent or child’s gambling, which can result in debt, mental health problems and separation.

A 2020 You Gov report found that 48% of people are severely affected by a spouse or partner’s gambling, while 38% are severely affected by the gambling of a child.

Where can I get help for gambling addiction?

We’ve got details here of where you can get help if you or a family member is gambling.

See what the charity StepChange’s list of warning signs of gambling addiction.

Netmums has partnered with StepChange and you can get advice from one of their experts right here on our Forum.

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