By James Simons-
An East London pub which was busted for allowing children to gamble twice has dramatically lost its gaming machine license . However, the law breaking pub will still be allowed to operate two betting terminals.
The JD Weatherspoons bar called the George pub in High street, Wanstead had its license revoked by Redbridge Council’s licensing sub-committee yesterday in the first of its kind , The Eye OF Media.Com has heard.
The rebellious pub still got away lightly after being caught twice allowing under 18s to use the gaming machines in test purchase sting operations by police cadets observed by plain clothes police officers. The officers spent £3 on gaming machines in view of staff members without being challenged or asked for ID.
The pub which undertook a series of staff training courses had vowed to take steps to stop allowing under 18’s gamble, but they did not keep their word. After a second warning, in June, the pub failed another similar sting operation test.The offence shows the recklessness of the pub towards the protection of minors. They were willing to expose them to gambling,against the law.
RIGHT
The George pub has now lost its right to operate seven category c (£1 play and £100 max pay-out) gaming machines. The license withdrawal makes Redbridge the first local authority in the country to strip a pub of its gaming machine licence for failing to stop children playing on them.
FLEXIBILITY
However, the council showed some flexibiity by allowing the pub to keep operating two betting terminals after persuasions it would implement technology capable of alerting staff to machine use, along with measures to protect children.
Sue Harper, the council’s corporate director for place, said: “Businesses with permits to operate betting machines have a legal obligation to protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
“At Redbridge, we put the welfare of our children at the heart of everything we do and won’t be afraid to use the full weight of the law against businesses in the borough that fail in their legal obligations to safeguard young people.”
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “The company takes its responsibility to comply with the law on all age prohibited products and services extremely seriously.
“We shall consider the council’s concerns carefully and ensure all necessary actions are taken at the pub to prevent any repeat.”
The pub got away lightly. They should have been fined heavily.
Image: Facebook