Supermarkets Slammed for Selling Slot Machines Aimed at Children

_{Toy slot machines sold in UK stores raise concerns over normalising gambling behaviours in children. (Image: Alamy Retail)}

An anti-gambling campaigner who lost £250,000 due to his addiction and attempted suicide has called out supermarkets for selling slots to children. 

Harj Gahley, a mental health and recovery advocate, professional speaker, and change maker, shared his concerns in a video on LinkedIn. Here's an excerpt from his transcript:  

“While browsing in Smyths Toy Store, I was shocked to see an arcade slot machine marketed toward children as young as 8. This is alarming for several reasons. The product description reads, ‘With each pull, you're treated to thrilling sound effects and the motion of a genuine slot machine. 

"Match three of any of the icons to win an experience, accompanied by the triumphant sounds of a jackpot. There are other major retailers in the UK selling similar products, further normalising gambling behaviour. 

"As someone who has experienced the devastation of gambling addiction, I can tell you that these toys aren't just innocent fun; they are grooming children for addictive behaviours by presenting gambling as an exciting game."

This raises critical questions about the implications for the next generation. What message are we sending them and should children be given casino games for Christmas?  

Important Dialogue to Be Had Regarding the Find

The discussion sparked by Harj’s post has already prompted various responses on LinkedIn.  

Floris Assies commented on the ethical implications, stating, “Exploiting human psychology for profit is unacceptable. We need to hold these companies accountable and redefine our business models to protect vulnerable populations.”  

Frazer McNaughton expressed support for the cause but pointed out that the term "degenerate gambler" can stigmatise those already suffering from addiction. He urged for careful language use in activism.  

Aman Taylor acknowledged the concerns but shared that his kids enjoy playing low-stakes arcade games. He questioned whether such experiences would genuinely lead to gambling addiction.  

Stefan Cristian Mircea states, “Normalising gambling behaviours at a young age can lead to harmful perceptions of risk in adulthood.” He and others echoed that while not every child will develop an addiction, exposure to gambling-like games can influence their understanding of risk.

Narinder P. Kaur Sidhu lamented the profit-driven motives behind such toys, calling for greater awareness about their impacts on children.

Jeremy Lever highlighted the legal aspects of this issue, noting that the Gambling Act 2005 focuses on actual gambling and may not cover toy-like machines. “These toys could mimic risky behaviours, exposing children to the dangers of addiction,” he argued. 

Tracy Madlin cautioned that normalising gambling-related activities can have severe societal consequences. “Kids are impressionable,” she said. 

Alistair Barfield found the sale of gambling-like toys in toy shops concerning, citing their responsibility to provide safe spaces for children, away from online influences. 

Parental Controls Still Important  

Parental controls still play their part, and for some, the thought of their children playing gambling games or online slots,  is still too much to bear. 

Thankfully, there is now the process of age verification, which ensures that only eligible people over the legal age participate in online gambling. 

The process uses personal data and documents to verify a person's identity before they can play online casinos or games. Age verification is fundamental for the prevention of underage gambling. 

Self-Exclusion for Adults 

Self-exclusion is a tool used by those who have recognised that their gambling is harmful to them. It is for those who wish to be supported to stop gambling. 

You can take active steps to remove yourself from gambling, whether online or in a premises. You enter into a formal agreement not to gamble, and it is up to you to stick to your self-exclusion. If you try to gamble during that time, the gambling business must take reasonable steps to stop you. 

You can choose to self-exclude via a multi-operator self-exclusion scheme. These schemes allow you to make a single request to self-exclude from the same type of land-based gambling within your area. GAMSTOP allows you to self-exclude from online operators with one request. 

Gambling businesses are required to have their own self-exclusion arrangements in place. You may wish to exclude from one business only.