Pubs issued with warnings over underage gaming

None of the young cadets were questioned about using the machines

Warnings have been issued to six pubs in South Derbyshire for allowing underage teenagers to gamble on the premises.

Police cadets aged 16 went into pubs in three different locations to see if they were challenged for playing on category C gaming machines.

The machines had a jackpot of £100, and it is an offence for under-18s to play them.

The pubs in question have been issued with warnings by the district council's licensing team.

'A reminder to all pubs'

The spot checks were arranged by South Derbyshire District Council (SDDC) and Derbyshire Police.

The young people involved were accompanied by cadet leaders, and were instructed to play on the machines and see if they were challenged.

The six pubs concerned didn't intervene, the authority said.

Staff at one pub bypassed the computer age identification system to allow the youngsters to play the machines.

After the exercise, a senior licensing officer visited each of the premises to notify them of the outcome and issue a warning letter.

Staff were reminded that they could potentially lose their entitlement to have gaming machines in the pub if they failed any future tests.

The results of the tests have been reported to the Gambling Commission.

A spokesperson from the Council’s Licensing team said they hope it "acts as a reminder to all pubs to ensure they do not permit under-18s to play these machines".