A sting operation set up by the UK's Trading Standards organization caught 12 retailers selling games with BBFC '18' ratings to a 14-year-old -- specifically, the 14-year-old who volunteered to go undercover for the group. In the US, such negligence from cashiers would merely be disappointing. In the UK, it's illegal.

Of the sixteen retail outlets visited last week by the young narc, only four declined to sell contraband games: Gamestation, GAME, PC World and WH Smith. Some of the other retailers even had automatic warnings on their registers, which the cashiers ignored as they broke the law.

"Given the previous good compliance record with attempted test purchasing of tobacco in Dundee," a Trading Standards rep 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."

(Joystiq)

Don't worry about drug dealers or anything.

They have to get those damn cashiers poisoning our youth with mature rated fun.

Was it MAdworld? lol...

I deplore the use of £480 in taxpayers' money being spent on this operation.

But the games I'm not too concerned about. I mean, what actual harm is going to come of it? It's a video game; it's the parents' responsibility alone to prevent their children from accessing this content if they wish.

@ soleron, there should definitely be a deterrent, I actually remember going to get GTA SA at GAME, and them having security checks, so I had to wait for my mum. Anyway, of course they can just get their parents to come and buy the game with them, but then the responsibility is being placed with the parent for letting their son play violent video games

....Remember when the money obtained from tax payers went on to fund sting operations on child molesters, rapist, serial killers and drug dealers?.....good times

Damn snitch! I remember when I was underaged and Vice City came out, one of my friends got refused and I tried right after he did and I got it :D It was my cool calm attitude ;D

I wonder if they do the same for DVD's and movie theatres.

I once bought cigarets for 14 year old kids... I was 15 at the time.

I hate the UK for stuff like this.
We get way too "up in arms" about it.

I cant wait until im fully qualified and move.