YGAM demands education support in Gambling Act Review

The charity submitted written evidence to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) consultation on the Gambling Act, emphasising the importance of education about gambling-related harm.

In particular, YGAM called for increased long-term funding for research, education and treatment, including the introduction of a statutory levy for licensees, something GambleAware also called for in its response. The group also called for “meaningful engagement from the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education”.

The charity added that it firmly believes gambling addiction should be treated on the same level as other public health issues such as alcohol and drugs.

YGAM’s marketing and communications manager James Matthewson said: “The Gambling Act Review presents a much-needed opportunity for the regulation to catch up but also an opportunity to demonstrate the ongoing progress being made to educate and safeguard future generations. 

“This review will scrutinise all aspects of regulation and, as an education charity, we do not claim to have the expertise to contribute to most of these intricate policy decisions.

“We believe keeping our young people safe should be the key focus of any outcomes from this review. Prevention is a better solution than treatment and we want Government to recognise that education has a vital role to play.”

YGAM have demonstrated commitment to education programmes in the past, such as their collaboration with GamCare in Northern Ireland last year.