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Ygam’s Harm Prevention Efforts Reach 1.2 Million Young People: A Comprehensive Guide

By jili tutorial · September 12, 2026

Ygam’s Harm Prevention Efforts Reach 1.2 Million Young People: A Comprehensive Guide

Executive Overview

Ygam, the United Kingdom’s leading charity dedicated to preventing gambling-related harm among children and young people, has announced a significant milestone: it reached an estimated 1.2 million children and young people during the past year alone. This achievement brings the organization’s total reach to over 7 million individuals since 2020, according to its recently published 2025-2026 Impact Report.

As gambling behaviors become increasingly normalized and accessible among young populations—through mobile apps, esports betting, and social media advertising—Ygam’s mission to bolster public awareness and intervene before problems develop has never been more critical. This guide explores the charity’s latest findings, educational impact, emerging challenges, and collaborative research efforts in depth.

The Growing Need for Early Intervention in Gambling Harm

Why Education Matters Now More Than Ever

Gambling is no longer a niche activity confined to casinos or betting shops. For today’s youth, exposure occurs through:

According to the UK Gambling Commission, rates of gambling participation among 11–16 year olds have risen in recent years, with many young people not recognizing the boundary between gaming and gambling. This blurring of lines makes prevention education essential—and Ygam’s work directly addresses this gap.

The Scale of Ygam’s Impact

MetricValue
Children & young people reached (past year)1.2 million
Total individuals reached since 20207+ million
Professionals trained (past year)11,000+
Teachers & youth workers trained~3,700
Alumni network members14,000+

Education Efforts: Long-Term Impact and Proven Results

Training Professionals Who Work with Young People

Ygam’s strategy focuses on equipping the adults who interact with children daily—teachers, youth workers, healthcare professionals—with the knowledge and tools to spot early warning signs. In the past year, the charity trained more than 11,000 professionals, including approximately 3,700 teachers and youth workers, alongside health and social care specialists.

Key Training Outcomes

The charity’s assessment reveals that training leads to measurable improvements in day-to-day practice:

“Our ongoing commitment to research, evidence and evaluation means we continually assess not only how many people we reach, but what difference our work makes.” — Emily Tofield, Ygam Chief Executive Officer

Long-Term Behavioral Change in Schools and Care Settings

Short-term confidence gains are valuable, but Ygam’s data shows that the training has lasting effects. Follow-up surveys conducted one year after training revealed:

GroupPercentage who integrated gambling education into practice
Teachers surveyed67% had incorporated gambling-related education into their curriculum
Health & social care professionals69% used the training to improve their procedures
Professionals working specifically with children75% applied the training to their practice

Example in practice: A secondary school teacher trained by Ygam might integrate lessons on probability and risk into mathematics classes, or discuss advertising tactics in media studies—turning everyday subjects into teachable moments about gambling harm.

Emerging Challenges: The Gap Between Parental Support and Actual Education

A Disconnect in Prevention

Ygam’s report highlights a critical mismatch: while 91% of parents supported lessons on gambling harm in schools, only 40% reported that their children had actually received such education. This gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

Parental Engagement Yields Results

Among parents who participated directly in Ygam’s programming, 93% reported being better able to recognize signs of gambling harm in their children. This suggests that bridging the awareness gap between schools and homes could dramatically amplify prevention efforts.

Expanding Scope: Gaming, Esports, and Digital Entertainment

Recognizing that traditional gambling is not the only risk, Ygam launched its Gaming and Esports program in 2025. This initiative has already reached over 50,000 young people, raising awareness about:

Example: A teenager might not consider themselves a “gambler” but could be spending hundreds of pounds on “mystery crates” in a battle royale game. Ygam’s program helps them recognize the same psychological patterns at work.

Leveraging Lived Experience and Youth Voices

Advisory Panels for Authentic Impact

Ygam is strengthening its work through two key advisory bodies:

“We have brought together the largest and most established community dedicated to preventing gaming and gambling harms among children and young people.” — Emily Tofield, Ygam Chief Executive Officer

The Alumni Network: A Growing Force for Good

With over 14,000 members now in Ygam’s Alumni network, educators, youth workers, and health professionals can:

Research and Evidence: Collaborations with UK Universities

Ygam’s research efforts continue to expand through collaborations with over 20 UK universities. This unprecedented access to cutting-edge research helps identify:

Why This Matters

By grounding its work in academic evidence, Ygam ensures that its programs are not just well-intentioned but actually effective. University partnerships also allow for:

Practical Takeaways for Professionals and Parents

For Teachers and Youth Workers

  1. Request training from Ygam to build confidence in identifying gambling harm.
  2. Integrate gambling education into existing curriculum subjects (math, PSHE, media studies).
  3. Use Ygam’s resources for age-appropriate lesson plans and activities.
  4. Join the Alumni network to stay updated and connected.

For Parents and Guardians

  1. Talk openly about gambling, gaming, and spending in apps.
  2. Learn the warning signs (secrecy about screen time, unexplained spending, mood swings).
  3. Support school-based education by requesting that gambling harm be included in the curriculum.
  4. Use Ygam’s parent resources to start conversations at home.

For Health and Social Care Professionals

  1. Incorporate gambling screening into routine assessments for young people.
  2. Refer to specialist services when harm is identified.
  3. Attend Ygam training to improve recognition and response skills.

Conclusion: A Model for Prevention

Ygam’s 2025-2026 Impact Report demonstrates that education, early intervention, and collaboration can significantly reduce gambling-related harm among young people. With over 1.2 million children reached in a single year, and a total of 7 million since 2020, the charity is building a foundation for lasting change.

The combination of professional training, parental engagement, lived experience input, and university-backed research creates a comprehensive prevention ecosystem. As gambling continues to evolve and embed itself into digital spaces, Ygam’s work offers a scalable, evidence-based model that other countries and organizations can learn from.