Warning over thousands of children as young as 11 who are using ‘skin’ betting websites and apps
The Gambling Commission found around half a million youngsters gamble every week
CHILDREN as young as 11 are gambling online every week, a shock new report from the Gambling Commission has found.
The regulator's annual survey found that kids are often using so-called "skin" betting websites, which let players to gamble on items to be used in video games for real money.
Some 11 per cent of 11 to 16 year olds said they had bet in this way, with more than a third (36 per cent) having done so in the past seven days.
"Skins" are in-game items such as weapons or costumes that are used in many video game titles.
But these items can be sold or wagered on these type of websites for actual cash.
Overall, 12 per cent admitted they had gambled in the last week, while a whopping 80 per cent had seen some form of gambling advertising on the TV.
The findings will add to fears children are being exposed to gambling via social media and the internet.
Last month, online gambling sites were warned to stop using cartoon characters to appeal to children.
Some of the UK's biggest betting operators were found to be promoting online games with fairy-tale characters - without violating commission rules.
Tim Miller, executive director of the Gambling Commission said: "We require gambling operators to have strong protections in place to prevent children from accessing their products and are actively reviewing how some, like age verification, can continue to be strengthened.
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“However, it is clear that many children’s experiences of gambling-style activities are coming from the playground, the games console or social media rather than the bookmaker, the casino or the gambling website."
Marc Etches, chief executive of GambleAware added: "GambleAware is very concerned about how increasingly children are being introduced to gambling via social media, video gaming, and free-to-play casino games online.
"With more than 500,000 11-15 year olds reporting that they gamble we are in great danger of sleepwalking into a future public health storm over gambling-related harm in Britain."
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