Study reveals 'shocking' trend about UK gambling websites

[The Buzz]

Buzzy is always skeptical about "studies" because you never really now who and how many people were polled and what the ulterior motive may be for the folks responsible for the study.

With that said, a study by Queen Mary University and City University London found bookmakers were getting around new watershed laws by targeting children on social media and reported that a "shocking" eight in 10 teenagers are involved in some kind of gambling, with 10% to 15% of minors at "risk of developing serious gambling problems."

Julia Hornle, professor of internet law at Queen Mary University and co-author of the report, said existing regulations governing the gambling industry are out of date with modern-day media.

"Gambling advertising is restricted if it targets children. But what if the advertising targets adults, but is equally appealing to, and consumed by, children?

"It is also ignorant of the many and varied ways young people consume modern media, particularly online . . . The reality is that standards are not consistently applied to the internet and a fundamental rethink and redesign of regulation is required for advertising online.

"Many parents will have no idea that they're children are effectively at risk of a gambling habit. As is often the case with internet law, we are playing catch-up."

Buzzy is interested to hear your thoughts. Are these legitimate fears?

Here's a link to the article on Yogonet.com: http://www.yogonet.com/international...medium=twitter