A new report ordered by the U.K. Gambling Commission concludes that broader regulation of so-called “social gambling” is needed to protect minors.
The study, completed by the Gambling Lab, is intended to provide an overview of the sector to assist in identifying the potential implications for consumer risk, harm and responsible play.
The study includes a number of recommendations. Among them:
• Stricter age verification measures are needed across real-money and free-to-play gambling-related content.
• The exposure of children and adolescents to gambling-related marketing material should be limited.
• Close monitoring and research is needed into some games and features relating to increased accessibility through social media.
• “Special consideration” should be taken of social media’s influence, particularly among children and adolescents.
