Shops to tackle underage betting

The big dates on the racing calendar bring in huge numbers of customers

Bookmakers are to assign staff to check the age of customers after a watchdog criticised procedures.

The Gambling Commission found that 98 out of 100 betting shops it surveyed allowed under 18s to make bets.

Now the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) has said a member of staff will be assigned in each shop to monitor anyone who looks under 21.

Staff who fail to keep to the age restriction rules could be disciplined for gross misconduct.

Culture change

"We need to establish a culture where all betting shop staff feel obliged to challenge young adults who look under 21," ABB senior executive Andrew Lyman told BBC Radio 5 Five's Wake Up to Money.

"In turn this will lead to a culture where young adults expect to be challenged when they enter a betting shop."

The plans are part of a wider package to be unveiled in full in the next few days in response to the commission's report on underage betting.

The response is based on an age checking crackdown in shops selling alcohol, which prompts staff to check customers' ages if they look under 21 rather than under 18.

The Commission said it would make further visits to ensure the law was being followed.