GamCare reaches 100,000 young people amid RET levy changes

GamCare is making good progress on delivery of its youth training and outreach initiatives this year, according to an update from the charity.

The group explained that over 100,000 young people have now attended its training sessions, with the 100,000th person stepping through the doors this week.

On top of this, over 25,000 professionals such as teachers and youth workers have also been trained by the group, as part of a plan to ensure those working with and in positions of influence with young people have skills in dealing with gambling-related issues.

Alexa Roseblade, Head of Youth at GamCare, said: “We are incredibly proud of the work the Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme has accomplished in raising awareness about the risk and prevalence of gambling for young people. 

“Equipping 100,000 young people with the facts about gambling, supporting them to make informed decisions and giving them the knowledge of where to go if they need help is a significant achievement in our ongoing efforts to keep young people safe.”

GamCare’s workshops work to address a range of themes, such as potentially negative impacts on individuals and families, use of critical thinking when viewing gambling advertising and promotions and raising awareness of support services available.

The group has been stepping up its efforts to reach out to young people across the UK, having recently entered into an England-focused partnership with YGAM, targeting the nine different regions of the country.

The agreement – which also includes four other treatment and support organisations; Aquarius, ARA, Beacon Counselling Trust and Breakeven – looks to enhance youth services, family services and formal education.

GamCare has identified engaging with young people as being of heightened importance due to prevalence of gambling harm among this demographic, citing statistics that 0.9% of young people are ‘engaged with problematic gambling, with an additional 2.4% at risk’.

The charity continues its operations during what looks set to be a transformational period for the UK’s research, education and treatment (RET) sector, with the government White Paper set to introduce a mandatory operator levy to fund such activities, which will be overseen and commissioned by the NHS.