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3 Protection of children and other vulnerable persons

3.2.8 - Betting ordinary code

Applies to:

Paragraphs 1 to 5 inclusive: all non-remote betting and remote betting intermediary (trading rooms only) licences.

Paragraph 6: all non-remote betting (limited) licences and remote betting intermediary (trading rooms only) licences.

Ordinary code

These do not have the status of operator licence conditions but set out good practice. Operators may adopt alternative approaches to those set out in ordinary code provisions if they have actively taken account of the ordinary code provision and can demonstrate that an alternative approach is reasonable in the operator's particular circumstances; or that to take an alternative approach would be acting in a similarly effective manner. Ordinary codes of practice are admissible in evidence in criminal or civil proceedings and must be taken into account in any case in which the court or tribunal think them relevant, and by the Commission in the exercise of its functions; any departure from ordinary code provisions by an operator may be taken into account by the Commission on a licence review, but cannot lead to imposition of a financial penalty.

  1. The Commission considers acceptable forms of identification to include any identification carrying the PASS logo (for example Citizencard or Validate); a military identification card; a driving licence (including a provisional licence) with photocard; or a passport.

  2. Licensees should put into effect procedures that require their staff to check the age of any customer who appears to them to be under 25.

  3. Licensees should consider permanent exclusion from premises for any adult accompanied by a child or young person on more than one occasion to premises restricted to adults, or if there is reason to believe the offence was committed knowingly or recklessly.

  4. Procedures should be put into effect for dealing with cases where a child or young person repeatedly attempts to gamble on premises restricted to adults, including oral warnings, reporting the offence to the Gambling Commission 1 and the police, and making available information on problem gambling.

  5. In providing training to staff on their responsibilities for preventing underage gambling, licensees should have, as a minimum, policies for induction training and refresher training.

  6. Licensees should consider how they monitor the effectiveness of their policies and procedures for preventing underage gambling (for example by taking part in a collective test purchasing programme) and should be able to explain to the Commission or licensing authority what approach they have adopted.

Read additional guidance on the information requirements contained within this section.

References

1 These matters are to be reported to us online via our ‘eServices’ digital service on our website.

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