GamCare and YGAM involved

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has announced plans to roll out a ￡10m ($12.16m) independent gambling education initiative in the UK.

Charity organizations GamCare and Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) will deliver the new program to young people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The charities want to ensure 11-19 year olds are educated about the risks associated with gambling. Each young person will receive a minimum of one gambling awareness education session.

charities want to ensure 11-19 year olds are educated about the risks associated with gambling

The BGC will provide independent funding for the program, which will cover gambling products and environments. This will help teens understand how to gamble responsibly.

Details of the initiative

The initiative is part of BGC’s safer gambling commitments plans announced in November.

Individuals who work with young people should access information about gambling risks. From the info, they can learn how to identify gambling-related harm within the demographic. They also need to know where to send young people for assistance.

Polarized views of gambling

GamCare CEO Anna Hemmings commented on the program launch. She stated that the charity has been working with young people and professionals involved with the age group to deliver gambling education for many years. The organization has found that there are polarized views of gambling in the classroom. There is also a lack of clear understanding when it comes to potential risks.

According to Hemmings, GamCare believes that gambling education should be equal to traditional education centered on other risky behaviors. She said:

the extension of this program will help us to take a significant step towards achieving that aim.”

Staying safe and receiving treatment

Parents and other family members can access information within the program to learn more about gambling and young people. Resources offer information on how to keep teens safe as well as support and help options.

The program strives to offer age-appropriate treatment for young people aged 18 and under who are at risk or have developed a gambling problem. The education program extends beyond young people, providing those closest to them with information on how to identify and help with harmful behavior.