Betting shops failing to tackle teenage gamblers

The Styrian Chamber of Labour (AK) has put betting offices to the test and found that while they rarely check the age of people making bets - they always ask for proof of age when making a payout over winnings.

The Styrian Chamber of Labour (AK) has put betting offices to the test and found that while they rarely check the age of people making bets - they always ask for proof of age when making a payout over winnings.

According to the Chamber of labour there are 22 betting companies in 270 locations across Styria. Especially now during the European Football Championship thousands of bets are being placed.

In May and June the Chamber of labour hired two under age testers to check whether the betting offices' adherence to the law for the protection of youth was being applied.

The boys were supposed to place a bet of five Euros in 14 betting offices in Graz. The 17-year-old was allowed to make a bet in three agencies and the 18-year-old was able to place a bet in five - all without showing their IDs.

However, when it came to the payout of their winnings, the betting offices refused to do so because the boys could not show them their ID - and additionally the original bet stake was not refunded.

Susanne Bauer, the head of market research of the Chamber of labour, said it clearly stated in the law that operators of betting agencies must not allow teenagers in their companies. She also calls for a stricter examination by the operators of the betting offices, the police and the local board.