Washington - The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) annual undercover sting operation where underage consumers try to buy R-rated movie tickets, DVDs and M-rated video games has found a dramatic improvement at video game retailers, where its secret shoppers were able to buy M-rated games just 20% of the time -- down from 42% in 2007 and 85% in 2000. The video game industry and retail partners also fared better than movie theaters, where secret shoppers gained access to R-rated films 36% of the time, and DVD retailers, where R-rated title purchases were successful 47% of the time.

Among game retailers, GameStop blocked 94% of minors' M-rated game purchases, followed by Wal-Mart (82%) and Best Buy (80%).

Meanwhile, in Congress yesterday Reps. Lee Terry (R-Nebr.) and Jim Matheson (D-Utah) introduced a bill that would require ID checks at retailers selling M- and AO-rated games, as well as the posting of game ratings explanations, Variety reported.

Retailers who violated the proposed law would be fined $5,000.

"Many young children are walking into stores and are able to buy or rent these games without their parents even knowing about it," Terry said in a statement.

"Many retailers have tried to develop voluntary policies to make sure mature games do not end up in the hands of young kids, but we need to do more to protect our children."

However, courts have consistently struck down similar state and municipal laws as unconstitutional on free speech grounds.

Related Links:
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/05/secretshop.shtm

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117985230.html

http://leeterry.house.gov/Article_Details.aspx?NewsID=1712