British pubs are not doing enough to stop under 18s from playing AWP machines (Category C), warns the UK Gambling Commission.

Helen Rhodes, programme director of the Commission, has gone on record as demanding that the pub sector takes action "immediately to enforce the laws in place to protect children and young people."

The Commission found that nearly 90 per cent of the pubs in a test failed to stop the under-18s gambling on their premises. Said Rhodes: “We expect to see significant improvement in further tests and will continue to work with licensing authorities to support any action required against those failing to adhere to the requirements.”

A test was held by the Commission, working with local police forces, in 61 pubs in England over a six-month period and it found that 89 per cent failed to stop children using machines. It found no substantial difference in enforcement between independent pubs and large chains.

Her warning was supported by Simon Blackburn, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board. He said: “Pub managers must be as vigilant about under-age gambling as they are about under-age drinking. It is completely unacceptable to turn a blind eye to children playing gaming machines - which risks young people becoming addicted to gambling.”

The chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, Brigid Simmonds, said that the organisation was already taking steps to develop a social charter for responsible gambling for use by licensees and pub companies. Simmonds said that the association was seeking urgent talks with interested parties.