SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Under Age Sales, the social enterprise that specialises in helping retailers prevent underage sales, has teamed up with The Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers (FRB) to provide robust new training to tackle underage gambling at racecourses across the UK.
Training for the BTEC Level 2 Award for Preventing Underage Gambling is currently being rolled out to more than 400 on-course bookmakers and FRB members. The award incorporates all the requirements of a retail module on preventing underage sales, but has been specifically tailored to help those working in the gambling industry. Under Age Sales will manage the work-based learning providing the effective training and diligence needed to meet the Gambling Commission’s new social responsibility codes.
Tony Allen, Managing Director of Under Age Sales said: “Racecourse bookmakers need to be constantly on their guard, not only for younger gamblers, but also occasionally for parents who may be wanting to introduce their children to gambling by perhaps sending them to collect winnings on the horses. As a result of this, we have been working very closely with the FRB to also develop new signage for racecourses on top of the specialist training.”
Robin Grossmith, Director of the FRB added: “We take our responsibilities to ensure an enjoyable and fun adult gambling experience at race meetings very seriously, but we’re also not complacent that younger people may attempt to illegally participate. We are pleased to be working with Under Age Sales, which specialises in this field, and has created a bespoke BTEC accredited Award in Preventing Underage Gambling for us. We now need to ensure all of our staff working at the races pass this course.”
Staff workbooks have been delivered to racecourse bookmakers up and down the UK and bookmakers will complete these over the coming weeks. The first BTEC Level 2 Awards will be issued throughout August.
The Gambling Commission’s Director of Regulatory Risk and Analysis, Matthew Hill, said: “Protecting children and young people from being harmed by gambling is one of the key licensing objectives. We welcome the efforts the FRB is making to help its members improve in this area.”
Under Age Sales specialises in helping retailers prevent the sale of gambling services to children and provides point-of-sale materials to establishments across the UK, including retailers, bookmakers and casinos.
