We provide a range of informative education programmes, helping young people develop their own social awareness and understanding of the potential impact of irresponsible gambling.

A need to educate

Addictions such as drugs, alcohol and smoking are comprehensively covered throughout childhood and youth. However, gambling is nowhere to be seen. Gambling opportunities continues to grow, not least through growth in new media, including the internet and interactive television. Awareness amongst our youth is vital because:

• Problem gambling is much harder to detect than other addictions
• Young people are especially prone to excessive gambling
• Problem gambling can lead to poor school performance, debt and crime
• There are increasingly more gambling opportunities available
• Evidence shows that gambling does take place in schools
• Teachers need to be aware of the risks and signs of excessive gambling

Young people need to be empowered to make responsible decisions regarding their current and future gambling participation, and professionals need to develop the awareness and confidence to support young people who have a gambling problem.

Why do young people gamble?

Taken from Understanding Problem Gamblers (Bellringer 1999)
To win money. The reason for playing machines often cited by young teenagers is to win money.
'You can win more money than you put in.' (Schoolgirl, aged 12)

At this age the child has learnt the power of money but not the responsibility that goes with it. Children do not understand the economics of gambling and care little for random selection and payout ratios. Many of them, therefore, see gambling on machines as easy money and only learn by painful experience that this is not the case. However, when you do not have a source of income or only a meagre one, the possibility of a machine presenting you with cash can take on fanciful proportions. This is one reason why the easy accessibility of fruit machines to children in their early teens carries a very real danger.

Winning money is just one reason a young person, or indeed anyone, may choose to gamble. Other reasons include combating negative feeling, escapism, to show off skill, or for the attraction of 'the buzz'. For more information on gambling and young people contact the Young Persons' Education Officer or call 020 7378 5200.