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| M&M's slot machine normalises gambling for children, say MPs | M&M's slot machine normalises gambling for children, say MPs |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The confectionery giant Mars has dismissed concerns among MPs that a product that dispenses M&M’s in the style of a slot-machine game risks normalising gambling for children. | The confectionery giant Mars has dismissed concerns among MPs that a product that dispenses M&M’s in the style of a slot-machine game risks normalising gambling for children. |
| The product, on display in the M&M’s World store in London’s Leicester Square, works like a one-armed bandit gambling machine, where users pull on a lever to make three reels spin. | The product, on display in the M&M’s World store in London’s Leicester Square, works like a one-armed bandit gambling machine, where users pull on a lever to make three reels spin. |
| If the pictures on the reels match one another the machine, on sale for £33, spits out a large number of M&M’s. | If the pictures on the reels match one another the machine, on sale for £33, spits out a large number of M&M’s. |
| In a letter to Mars sent on Thursday, members of a cross-party parliamentary group on problem gambling said: “We have heard countless harrowing stories of how gambling addictions have ruined lives and brought misery to the families and communities affected by this addiction. | In a letter to Mars sent on Thursday, members of a cross-party parliamentary group on problem gambling said: “We have heard countless harrowing stories of how gambling addictions have ruined lives and brought misery to the families and communities affected by this addiction. |
| “Therefore we were shocked when it was brought to our attention that M&M were selling a slot machine-style game, marketed at children, in their store in Leicester Square. The normalisation of gambling for children can have dangerous effects later on in life and we would like you to reconsider having such an item in your store.” | |
| Mars is yet to receive the letter but shrugged off MPs’ concerns in a written response to the Guardian. | Mars is yet to receive the letter but shrugged off MPs’ concerns in a written response to the Guardian. |
| A spokesperson for Mars Wrigley Confectionery said: “We take responsible marketing very seriously. | A spokesperson for Mars Wrigley Confectionery said: “We take responsible marketing very seriously. |
| “This product is not designed to appeal primarily to children and our stores are tailored to ensure that adults serve as gatekeepers to make purchasing decisions.” | “This product is not designed to appeal primarily to children and our stores are tailored to ensure that adults serve as gatekeepers to make purchasing decisions.” |
| The product was spotted by Dr Samantha Thomas, a youth gambling expert and associate professor at Deakin University, Australia. | The product was spotted by Dr Samantha Thomas, a youth gambling expert and associate professor at Deakin University, Australia. |
| With all the discussion in the UK about gambling harm and the normalisation of gambling for kids, very surprised to see M&M selling this product in its Leicester Square store. @ArtScienceDoc @tom_watson @mattzarb @ByRobDavies @ProfRCassidy @carolynharris24 @NoRoomToLive pic.twitter.com/heioYTo5Ul | With all the discussion in the UK about gambling harm and the normalisation of gambling for kids, very surprised to see M&M selling this product in its Leicester Square store. @ArtScienceDoc @tom_watson @mattzarb @ByRobDavies @ProfRCassidy @carolynharris24 @NoRoomToLive pic.twitter.com/heioYTo5Ul |
| She said: “While these products seem like innocent toys, they have the potential to normalise gambling as a fun activity for children. Children find cartoon characters in gambling promotions very appealing. | She said: “While these products seem like innocent toys, they have the potential to normalise gambling as a fun activity for children. Children find cartoon characters in gambling promotions very appealing. |
| “Our research shows that children often are unable to understand the risks associated with slot machines. They remember the bright lights and positive sounds associated with the machines, and think they are a fun way to make money. | “Our research shows that children often are unable to understand the risks associated with slot machines. They remember the bright lights and positive sounds associated with the machines, and think they are a fun way to make money. |
| “Combining the winning features of a slot machine with such a well-recognised candy brand and cartoon characters certainly may give children the perception that these are machines that are about wins rather than losses.” | |
| Concern about children’s attitude to gambling has escalated in recent years, in the light of figures suggesting a rise in the number of problem gamblers between the age of 11 and 16. | Concern about children’s attitude to gambling has escalated in recent years, in the light of figures suggesting a rise in the number of problem gamblers between the age of 11 and 16. |
| Campaigners have also voiced fears about the future impact of widespread gambling advertising on social media and televised sporting events such as last summer’s World Cup. | Campaigners have also voiced fears about the future impact of widespread gambling advertising on social media and televised sporting events such as last summer’s World Cup. |
| The government has introduced tougher measures to prevent gambling ads reaching children online and is reviewing whether to strengthen ID checks on betting websites. | The government has introduced tougher measures to prevent gambling ads reaching children online and is reviewing whether to strengthen ID checks on betting websites. |
| Gambling | Gambling |
| Children | Children |
| Young people | Young people |
| Chocolate | Chocolate |
| Food & drink industry | Food & drink industry |
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