Investigation reveals shops selling 18 rated games to minors

BBC Scotland wrote: An undercover operation in Dundee has found three-quarters of shops targeted were prepared to sell 18-rated video games to an underage shopper.

A 14-year-old volunteer, recruited by trading standards, was able to buy a game illegally in 12 out of 16 stores.

Only Gamestation, Game, PC World and WH Smith refused to sell the product.

The punishment for breaking the law is up to six months in jail and a fine of up to £5,000. Those caught were warned they could face further investigation.

In some of the stores, pre-programmed warning prompts had been given on tills but the game was sold anyway.

A Trading Standards spokesman said: "It is very disappointing that so many large retailers have ignored their own systems in regard to restricted video game sales.

"Clearly there are issues that need to be addressed, and we will be following up matters with the retailers involved."

Councillor Jimmy Black added: "Do we really want shops selling children games based on gross acts of violence?

"Well done to the four retailers who got it right, but the others are breaking the law.

"They place themselves at serious risk of further investigations by our officers."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tay ... 004633.stm

It's an 'alarming' amount, really. Most shops simply aren't doing their jobs properly.

Chances are they were dodgy indie stores rather than big chains. Going off that list, HMV come to mind as retailer not on there. They've never asked me for ID when getting 15 rated games or films.

Shut 'em all down!!!

To be honest its hardly surprising.

May I be the first to say I'm SHOCKED :shock:

But seriously, where the strawberry float are these places because all too often I get ID'ed for 18's and even the odd 15 and I'm coming up on 23 for strawberry float sake.

Can't wait to see the sensationalised headlines for this tomorrow :roll:

BBC Scotland wrote:Councillor Jimmy Black added: "Do we really want shops selling children games based on gross acts of violence?

Honestly? I don't really give a gooseberry fool. It seems like a remarkly frivolous way to be spending police manhours considering how many burglaries seem to go unsolved, for example.

Exxy wrote:Chances are they were dodgy indie stores rather than big chains. Going off that list, HMV come to mind as retailer not on there. They've never asked me for ID when getting 15 rated games or films.

To the best of my knowledge, there simply aren't that many dodgy indie-stores in the town.

Infact, I'm struggling to think of 16 places in town that actually sell games.

Exxy wrote:Chances are they were dodgy indie stores rather than big chains. Going off that list, HMV come to mind as retailer not on there. They've never asked me for ID when getting 15 rated games or films.

Really? Whenever I use HMV to buy anything 18 rated or over they always ask for ID, even after I've shown them my student discount and uni campus card.

Makes me wonder where they did this investigation and if they only used one chain of each shop, especially for larger retail chains.

Shadow wrote:Shut 'em all down!!! Curse my metal body, I wasn't fast enough.

If a minor wants an 18 rated game, or indeed a 15 if they're younger than that, then they can easily order it online with their debit card.

HSH28 wrote:To be honest its hardly surprising.

Especially since this was in Dundee aka Scumdee.

Eighthours wrote:
Shadow wrote:Shut 'em all down!!! Curse my metal body, I wasn't fast enough.

Very good.

Pfft, wish it was like that here. I got ID'd for a strawberry floating 15 in Curry's last week :fp:

Nook29 wrote:If a minor wants an 18 rated game, or indeed a 15 if they're younger than that, then they can easily order it online with their debit card.

They give debit cards to kids now? My bank only gave me one when I was older.

Extralife wrote:
Nook29 wrote:If a minor wants an 18 rated game, or indeed a 15 if they're younger than that, then they can easily order it online with their debit card.

They give debit cards to kids now? My bank only gave me one when I was older.

Debit cards can be given to anyone over 16 or something, or maybe it's over 12. Credit cards are 18+.

In other news, grass discovered to be green.

Shock! Horror! What will the next investigation dig up that theres despicable people that make fraudulent copies of games,What a sick world we live in!

TheTurnipKing wrote: It seems like a remarkly frivolous way to be spending police manhours considering how many burglaries seem to go unsolved, for example.

what a stupid thing to say.

Herbi wrote:May I be the first to say I'm SHOCKED

But seriously, where the strawberry float are these places because all too often I get ID'ed for 18's and even the odd 15 and I'm coming up on 23 for strawberry float sake.

Same as me, but replace 23 with 19. I got refused a lottery ticket ffs.

Investigation reveals shops selling 18 rated games to minors

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