BGC dismisses claims betting firms can access database on 28 million children
Trade body rejects The Sunday Times investigation involving the Learnings Records Service as “untrue”
A Sunday Times front-page story suggesting betting companies have been handed access to an educational database containing names, ages and addresses of 28 million children and students has been rebuffed by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).
Yesterday’s edition of the weekly broadsheet claimed the database on details of those aged 14 and above in state schools, private schools and colleges has been used to increase the proportion of young people who gamble online.
The article also alleged identity management company GB Group had a confidential contract via another company to access the Learnings Records Service for age and identity checks it provides to clients, including gambling operators.
The article went on to say that this data is used as a “fast and cheap way to verify the ages of young online customers who claim to be 18 or over” and that one gambling firm boosted the number of young people passing its identity checks by 15% by using the database.
However, the industry was united its condemnation of the allegations contained in the article.
In a statement, the BGC said: “Media reports that betting companies have access to the Leaning Records Service database are untrue. GB Group provides age-verification services to a range of organisations from banks to government agencies and betting companies.
“All betting companies are legally required to verify the age of people who wish to join to ensure that they are over the age of 18, the only information GB Group provides is confirmation or rejection that the applicant is over the age of 18.”
Meanwhile, former Sky Betting & Gaming CEO Richard Flint tweeted his criticism of the report:
Exactly. Critics of the industry should also be angry about this article as it undermines legitimate criticism (there is plenty) and well researched/even handed journalism https://t.co/hZGfDz7pzG
— Richard Flint (@YorkshireFlint) January 19, 2020
His tweet was in response to comment from Peter Murray, who was head of egaming at BG Group between 2011 and 2018.
In a more elaborate post on LinkedIn, Murray slammed the article as “irresponsible journalism” and that it was “simply not true” that the sector uses data to increase engagement with young players.
Commenting on the Sunday Times story, a 32Red spokesperson provided the following statement to EGR: “The report in the Sunday Times stating that 32Red, among other betting companies, has access to the Learning Records Service database is untrue and unfounded.
“As a responsible betting operator we have zero tolerance on under-age gambling.
“We are legally required to verify a number of criteria, including the age of people who wish to enjoy our services to ensure that they are over the age of 18.
“The only information 32Red has access to is confirmation or rejection that the person requesting to open an account with us is over the age of 18, and not specific details about that person.”