Preventing children from being exposed to gambling and the harm it causes is vital.
Under the Act it will be:
Illegal for a licensed gambling website to allow a child to participate in a gambling activity.
Illegal for a licensed gambling business to allow a child in their premises or to employ a child.
The licensee/owner of a gambling website is not allowed to sponsor:
an event in which the majority of those attending or competing are children
an event aimed at children
an organisation, club or team in which children are members
a premises that is used by that organisation, club or team or
a public activity that appeals to children.
The licensee/owner of a gambling website cannot open an account for a child under 18 and must always verify that someone seeking to open an account is 18 or over.
The licensee/owner of a gambling website must have a parental control programme displayed on their homepage and on each online platform where a gambling activity can be accessed.
Advertising which promotes gambling cannot be shown on TV or radio between the hours of 5.30am and 9.00pm.
Advertising which targets children and portrays gambling as attractive is illegal.
It is an offence for gambling companies to target children with branded clothes and merchandise.
When determining the suitability of a proposed premises from which to provide gambling activities to its vicinity to both schools and other premises that offer licenced in-person gambling activities will be considered.
Obligations under the Act will apply to licence holders, when they become licenced by GRAI, which will be on a phased basis.
