Group: Online Site Need Age-Verification

UNITED KINGDOM – As reported by the UK Society Guardian: "Internet gambling websites should introduce age-verification checks to prevent children from betting online, a children's charity urged today.

"The call by the charity NCH comes after it found that a 16-year-old girl was able to register with 30 gambling websites after lying about her age. Only seven sites requested verification of her age when she claimed to be 21.

"…NCH claims the findings show it is possible for children as young as 11 to register with gambling websites, because some banks issue debit cards to 11-year-olds.

"John Carr, the internet adviser for NCH, said there were no excuses for all UK-based sites failing to put effective online age verification in place.

"…There are several age and ID verification systems available and being used by a minority of the online gambling industry. They include Experian and Verify Me, which search governmental and financial records to find evidence that people are registered at the address they claim to be and are over 18…"