out of seven amusement arcades tested in Brighton allowed an underage child to use fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs), according to local newspaper The Argus.

A 16-year-old boy was sent to seven arcades as part of an operation carried out by the Gambling Commission in conjunction with Brighton and Hove council.

Councillor Stephanie Powell, chairwoman of the city’s licensing committee, said "With gaming machines on the increase and the real concerns about fixed odds betting terminals where people can lose a lot of money very quickly, it is more important than ever that we take steps to protect young people.”

All the premises that failed the test have issued assurances they will install measures to prevent recurrences.

Paul Brand, operations manager at Metrobet ̶ one of the arcades to fail, said: "We feel the procedures we have in place are adequate but since the incident we now have a new system where the FOBTs are blocked so anyone entering the shop has to go to the desk where they can be challenged on age.

“This incident is not something we are proud of but we are all human.”