Responsible
Gambling
The Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers Limited
The FRB (The Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers
Limited) has represented on-course bookmakers who are
members of affiliated associations for circa 14 years. In constant
dialogue and negotiation with local, national and government
bodies, such as the Gambling Commission, its primary aim is to
maintain an on-course presence and security for all on-course
bookmakers and their customers.
Co-operating with government led initiatives, via
the Gambling Commission, on responsible
gambling, one of the major challenges for
all bookmakers is ensuring that the
potential for under-age gambling is
minimised. On-course bookmakers,
working within the chaotic and
frenetic environment of on-course
‘betting rings’, have the difficult
task of ensuring that both the
bookmaker
and
potential
customer comply with the law,
i.e. that a bet is not placed by
anyone under the age of 18
years old. Clearly this can be
very difficult with the ‘young’
of today often being deceptively
mature in appearance.
As racecourses may not limit
access to ‘betting rings’ to those whose
age has been verified as 18 or over; racegoers need to be mindful that the difficult
task of challenging those who are potentially
‘under-age’, is therefore invariably left solely to the
bookmaker. The FRB has encouraged bookmakers to re-train
staff and display ‘Think 21’ material made available to them
on their betting stands, to discourage those who are under-age
from attempting to place a bet.
However, when someone with a youthful appearance
and perceived as under-age attempts to place a bet, it can
be quite difficult for a bookmaker to ‘challenge’ and ask for
photographic ID, as the request may often offend; placing the
bookmaker at risk of verbal or even physical abuse. In any event,
unfortunately, a request for ID usually results in lost business
for the bookmaker, when a potentially under-age person proves
to be legally entitled to gamble. But the bookmaker is obligated
to ‘challenge’ in such circumstances.
Increasingly, horseracing is promoted as a glamorous
environment for corporate and family entertainment; not just
for horseracing and betting enthusiasts. Indeed, racecourses are
now popular venues for ‘after race’ entertainment, featuring
‘chart topping’ celebrities; clearly a positive way of maximising
the use of racecourse venues which has given rise to subtle
changes in clientele. However, those attending such race
meetings need to be aware that racecourses, usually, do not
limit access to ‘betting rings’ to 18’s and