UK youth workers to receive training on gambling harms
The National Youth Agency (NYA) has partnered with the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) to provide training for youth workers on online gaming and gambling harms. The programme will roll out across England and Wales, aiming to equip the sector with practical knowledge to safeguard young people in digital environments. A launch event is scheduled for 24 February.
Integrating education into youth work
According to NYA, this project brings together digital youth work programs and YGAM’s evidence-based training. The youth workers will benefit from the training sessions that include risks related to gaming and gambling, such as elements like loot boxes that are similar to gambling. The training will enable the youth workers to interact with the young people effectively on their online behaviors.
NYA, as England’s national professional and regulatory body for youth work, provides standards and guidance to maintain quality practice. YGAM contributes expertise in gambling harm prevention and education, building on previous programmes including the Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme (YPGHPP, 2020–2024).
The collaboration also aims to give youth workers practical tools to explore innovative engagement methods and deepen their understanding of young people’s digital experiences. Linda Scollins Smith, Director of Programmes and Insight & Innovation at YGAM, marked that the partnership will enable youth workers to explore innovative engagement methods and gain a deeper understanding of young people’s digital experiences. She emphasised that equipping professionals with practical skills is essential to safeguarding young people effectively.
Programme scale
The YPGHPP, which received funding of GBP 10 million ($12.2 million) from the Betting and Gaming Council via the Gambling Commission’s Research, Education, and Treatment (RET) levy, has managed to train over 100,000 youth-facing professionals and reached millions of young people. The training lasted between 90 minutes and three hours and was CPD-accredited. It included the identification of gambling harms and how to mitigate them.
Current UK statistics indicate that 59 percent of young people have some experience of gambling, while 30 percent report spending their own money in the past 12 months. Boys aged 15 to 17 spend around 34 hours a week playing video games, according to a Mumsnet survey commissioned by YGAM, highlighting the sector’s exposure to digital risks.
Regulatory and legal framework
UK gambling regulations make it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to gamble, including online betting, cash fruit machines, and lottery products. Licensed operators are required to implement age verification measures to ensure that minors are not able to access these services. Although there are no mandatory programs for youth organisations to offer education on gambling harm, there is YPGHPP, which operates under safer gambling commitments that are supported by the RET levy.
The 2023 white paper on high-stakes gambling issued by the government recommended further measures to protect young adults under the age of 25, such as online slot stake limits and increased monitoring of online game design elements. These recommendations further emphasise the importance of youth professionals being aware of new risks.
Industry implications
Although the project is mainly focused on youth workers, gambling operators are indirectly impacted by the public demand for responsible gambling behavior. The project is consistent with the safer gambling models developed by the Gambling Commission and supports the operational scope of RET-funded educational projects. Third-sector providers, such as YGAM, remain a crucial part of knowledge and skill transfer to counteract the negative effects of digital entertainment.
The partnership will be formally launched during an open session on 24 February. Attendees will receive an overview of the current digital youth work landscape and guidance on accessing training resources. NYA and YGAM intend to use the programme to strengthen youth worker capacity and contribute to responsible gaming education across England and Wales.
Step inside the world’s biggest iGaming community. Join HERE for weekly updates from the world’s iGaming authority and unlock subscriber-only offers.
