BGC (Betting and Gaming Council) members recorded a 97% pass rate in independent age-verification tests from May 2025 to April 2026. The BGC age verification result was the highest among sectors tested by Serve Legal. It was also five percentage points above the previous year.

• BGC members reached 97%, compared with supermarkets at 80% and convenience stores at 77%. Vape shops recorded 61% and delivery services 44%. It was the BGC’s highest rate across the four reporting periods.
• Serve Legal uses independent test purchasing to check age-verification procedures for restricted products and services. Younger customers test whether businesses apply their rules in practice. BGC age verification includes measures such as Challenge 25 and staff training.
• The BGC said regulated betting and gaming businesses operate under licensing and consumer protection rules that do not apply to illegal operators. BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst said: “Protecting young people is a fundamental responsibility for every regulated operator.” Members will review failed tests to identify where procedures can improve.
• Serve Legal CEO Kate Rand said testing helps businesses find gaps between policies and day-to-day operations. The BGC will continue working with Serve Legal to review unsuccessful tests and share lessons with members.

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