Unauthorized sales of video games to children decline in 2005

Thursday, March 30th 2006, 3:57 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Unauthorized sales of video games deemed too mature for children declined last year due to stronger enforcement efforts, the Federal Trade Commission said Thursday.

An undercover investigation of 406 electronic and video games stores around the nation found that 42 percent improperly sold games with mature content to children 16 and younger who weren't accompanied by an adult.

That 2005 figure is a drop from 69 percent in 2003, the last time the survey was done.

According to the survey, national chain stores were much more likely to restrict sales of the so-called M-rated games _ only 35 percent improperly sold them _ compared to 63 percent for regional or local sellers.

Half of all the stores surveyed also asked the child's age when he or she tried to make a purchase, an increase from 24 percent in 2003.

The latest FTC investigation, conducted between October 2005 and January 2006, involved stores in 43 states. Three hundred and six of the stores were national retailers, while the other 100 were local and regional sellers.