SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) has teamed up with the Leeds United Foundation to educate and safeguard young people across Yorkshire on safe gaming and gambling-related harms.
The new partnership will aim to help teach and inform young people, teachers and parents about the risks associated with intensive gaming and gambling harms, as well as information on safeguarding the next generation of football and sports fans.
Praising the new partnership, Amy Bussey, YGAM’s Education Manager for Yorkshire and Humber, said: “Gambling is often described as the hidden addiction and education is essential in preventing harm.
“People do not realise the correlation between gambling and other risky behaviours. It is vital that we raise awareness of gambling to try and bring it to the forefront and open those positive conversations.”
“Sports foundations like Leeds United’s have a very positive, strong influence on young people, and they also have a huge influence within the local community.
“If we can get sports involved in prevention and education, we can work with young people before harm occurs. It has been a pleasure working with their really engaging team members, who have strong links to education. They are already making moves to cover gambling harm with young people and clearly have a passion for educating and safeguarding young people.”
Once government restrictions are lifted, YGAM has outlined plans to support the Leeds United Foundation with the ‘schools-based delivery of their training’ which will include workshops with local schools.
Nigel Thewlis, Head of Secondary Education at the Leeds United Foundation, added: “The workshop provided by Amy from YGAM was very informative and educational and we can’t thank them enough for their support. I was astonished at some of the statistics mentioned and particularly the information relating to the gaming industry.
“I would highly recommend this training to any schools, community groups or others who work with young minds. I am pleased that the Foundation now has the knowledge to help deal with these issues and support young people and their families in our local community.”
