評估強調計劃對數百萬年輕人的影響

London, 13 October 2025: An independent evaluation has provided strong evidence that the Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme helped increase young people’s knowledge and awareness across all intended outcomes areas. 

It concluded that the programme created the conditions that are likely to result in young people being less likely to experience gambling harms. 

The evaluation showed that, as a result of the programme, young people are more likely to recognise gambling harms, are more self-aware of their own relationship with gambling and that of others, and know where to go for help. 

The four-year programme, the largest of its kind, was launched in 2020 and co-delivered by GamCare and Ygam, giving young people (aged 11–19), parents, and professionals access to preventative education designed to increase understanding, raise awareness, and help prevent gambling harms. 

The evaluation, conducted by Cloud Chamber, emphasised the programme’s impressive reach. Even in the face of the pandemic during its initial phases, its scale remains unmatched by any other initiative of its kind. Between 2020 and 2024, the programme trained over 40,000 professionals and parents/carers and reached more than 3.5 million children and young people. According to Office for National Statistics data, the UK population aged 11–19 was estimated at 6.8 million in 2019, meaning the programme reached over half of all young people in this age group within four years. 

Evidence shows the programme was effective at delivering its expected outcomes for all three of its main stakeholder groups: young people, professionals, and parents/carers. Young people gained a stronger awareness of gambling harms and the warning signs to look out for, while also developing a more sophisticated understanding of where to seek support. They demonstrated greater awareness of how external factors can influence their own gambling behaviours, and fieldwork provided clear examples of participants reflecting on their own choices as well as those of friends and family. 

The evaluation provided strong evidence that the programme improved the knowledge and awareness of professionals working with young people. The report summarises that the programme did improve knowledge and awareness, and professionals were more confident to talk to people about gambling. 88% said that they knew how to identify if a young person was experiencing gambling-related harm following a workshop. In longer-term follow-up, two-thirds of respondents confirmed they had already implemented training using these resources. 

Evidence also showed that parents and carers became more confident in talking to young people about gambling harms, with strong engagement in both the content and support resources post-training.  

There is a robust evidence base demonstrating both the quality and suitability of the programme’s main interventions. 97% said that the content was delivered extremely or very clearly. 86% said they thought the resources would be extremely or very useful. The evaluation also acknowledged that the programme’s full impact will be wider through the sharing of knowledge by those who came into contact with it. 

GamCare reported that nearly 1,000 brief interventions took place with young people during or immediately following a session, usually as a result of a young person seeking additional support. 

The evaluation highlighted recommendations for building on the Programme’s strong foundations, including the need to better reach vulnerable groups, such as looked-after children and communities facing higher levels of deprivation. It also emphasised the importance of developing robust methods to track behaviour change and help-seeking over time, addressing the challenge of capturing outcomes that may emerge well after initial engagement. 

The Programme received funding from the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the standards body for the regulated UK betting and gaming industry. The evaluation emphasised that there is no evidence to suggest the programme was influenced in any way by its funders. 

Linda Scollins Smith, Executive Director – Programmes and Insight and Innovation at Ygam, said: “”This evaluation highlights the transformative impact that education can have in preventing gambling harms. The significant reach of the programme, combined with strong evidence of its effect on individuals’ knowledge and understanding, is helping to build a more informed and resilient generation of young people. Since the programme concluded last year, we have already implemented many of its recommendations to make our portfolio of programmes even more comprehensive and impactful, addressing the needs of our beneficiaries and emerging issues in this fast-paced field. Safeguarding children and young people must be a priority, and education has a central role to play in achieving this.” 

Victoria Corbishley, Chief Executive Officer at GamCare, said: “We are proud of the impact the programme has had in raising awareness of gambling harms among young people and with sector professionals. As the evaluation highlights, the body of work that has been achieved remains the largest of its kind in the UK, and our teams have made important steps in equipping young people with the knowledge they need to understand the risks. As the gambling harms sector prepares for the implementation of the statutory levy, it is essential to continue the progress that has been made in educating the next generation. At GamCare, we remain committed to preventing gambling harm wherever we can and we know the vital role that education will play in achieving this.”