Betting and Gaming Council Members Record 97 Percent Pass Rate in Independent Age Verification Tests

The Betting and Gaming Council announced results from independent age-verification test purchasing that covered the period between May 2025 and April 2026, and those figures showed members achieving a 97 percent pass rate. The tests, carried out by Serve Legal, placed the regulated betting and gaming sector ahead of supermarkets at 80 percent and convenience stores at 77 percent, while the same data set recorded a five-percentage-point improvement compared with the previous year.

Test Purchasing Methodology and Scope

Serve Legal conducted repeated mystery shopper exercises across licensed betting premises, and the methodology required underage test purchasers to attempt purchases while trained observers recorded staff responses. Observers documented whether staff requested identification, applied Challenge 25 policies correctly, and refused sales when appropriate. The 97 percent pass rate reflects successful refusals in nearly all attempts, and the year-over-year gain indicates measurable progress in staff training programs.

Comparative Performance Across Retail Sectors

Data compiled by Serve Legal placed betting and gaming operators at the top of the table among age-restricted retailers. Supermarkets recorded an 80 percent pass rate during the same testing window, convenience stores followed at 77 percent, and other categories trailed further behind. The gap between the licensed betting sector and these benchmarks remained consistent across multiple regions, and the five-percentage-point improvement from the prior period demonstrated sustained focus on compliance procedures.

Industry Commitments to Staff Training and Challenge 25

Members of the Betting and Gaming Council reported ongoing investment in staff training modules that cover identification checks, refusal techniques, and escalation procedures. Challenge 25 policies require staff to request proof of age from anyone who appears under 25, and the high pass rate indicates these protocols operated effectively during the test period. Training records submitted by operators showed regular refresher courses, and many sites incorporated scenario-based exercises that mirrored real-world purchasing attempts.

Statements from Sector Leaders

BGC CEO Grainne Hurst stated that the results demonstrate the regulated sector’s commitment to protecting young people through robust age verification. Serve Legal CEO Kate Rand noted that the 97 percent pass rate reflects high operational standards within the licensed industry and provides a clear contrast with unregulated markets where such controls do not exist. Both executives pointed to the independent nature of the testing as evidence that the figures represent genuine performance rather than self-reported data.

Context Within the Broader Regulatory Framework

The test purchasing covered the financial year ending April 2026, and the announcement of these results occurred as operators prepared for the next compliance cycle. Regulated betting premises operate under strict licensing conditions that mandate age verification systems, record-keeping, and periodic audits. The 97 percent figure adds to the body of evidence that licensed operators maintain measurable safeguards, whereas offshore or unlicensed platforms lack equivalent oversight.

Conclusion

The Serve Legal findings for May 2025 through April 2026 establish that BGC members outperformed other age-restricted retail categories by significant margins. The documented 97 percent pass rate, combined with the year-over-year improvement and comparative benchmarks, supplies regulators and the public with current data on compliance levels in the licensed betting and gaming sector.