Ygam reports record impact on UK youth gambling harm

The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (Ygam) has published its most comprehensive Impact Report to date, covering the period from January 2024 through March 2025. The findings reveal a substantial rise in the charity’s influence and outreach, underlining Ygam’s growing role in addressing gambling and gaming harms among young people across the United Kingdom.

Since its foundation in 2014, Ygam has been at the forefront of preventive education, but the latest figures represent a milestone: the organisation has reached an estimated 1.3 million children and young people, a record high. Nearly 10,000 professionals, including teachers, youth workers, and community leaders, were trained in Ygam’s specialist harm prevention methodologies.

This wide-reaching impact not only underscores Ygam’s operational success but also reflects the increasing urgency with which gambling and gaming risks are being addressed at both institutional and governmental levels.

Evidence-based practice at the core of the charity’s success

A cornerstone of Ygam’s strategy is its rigorous commitment to data collection, independent evaluation, and evidence-led programme development. As part of its latest cycle of impact measurement, the charity commissioned four independent evaluations of its flagship programmes. These external assessments provide invaluable insights into the long-term efficacy of Ygam’s educational frameworks and content delivery.

The evaluations were compiled alongside detailed pre- and post-training feedback, as well as testimonials from delegates, in a consolidated body of evidence. This material forms the foundation for the charity’s forward-looking strategic direction, ensuring that lessons from the past inform an adaptive, future-proofed model of education and awareness.

Ygam’s leadership has emphasized that such evidence-based approaches are essential for maintaining trust and relevance in an increasingly complex digital landscape. As gambling and gaming technologies evolve, so too must the strategies to address their associated risks.

Building strong alliances across youth-focused institutions

In line with its broader vision, Ygam continues to invest in strategic partnerships with educational and community institutions. The charity collaborates with a range of influential partners, such as The Scouts, NSPCC, The Children’s Society, TSB Bank, Place2Be, and Barnardo’s, ensuring that prevention resources are embedded directly into environments where young people are most vulnerable.

Through its partnership with The Scout Association, for instance, Ygam has reached more than 2,000 volunteer leaders, equipping them with tools to safeguard an estimated 45,000 children and adolescents.

Additionally, Ygam has made significant inroads into the university sector. Over 50 universities were visited during the reporting period, reaching an estimated 115,000 students. This demographic is particularly susceptible to online gambling risks, making targeted intervention in this space a crucial aspect of Ygam’s holistic prevention strategy.

Ministerial support reflects growing policy alignment

The importance of Ygam’s work has not gone unnoticed in government. Baroness Twycross, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, offered official support for the report and praised the organisation’s achievements.

“I welcome this report, which highlights Ygam’s vital role in educating more than one million young people on how to lead safer digital lives,” she stated. “One of my key priorities as gambling minister is to strengthen protections around those most vulnerable to harmful gambling and I look forward to collaborating with Ygam in future as we continue to build a safer online space for young people.”

Her remarks underscore an increasing convergence between third-sector initiatives and government priorities, particularly in the realm of youth protection and digital wellbeing.

Organisational pride and a vision for the future

Helen Martin, Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive at Ygam, expressed her pride in the charity’s accomplishments while emphasising the importance of continued learning and adaptation.

“I’m incredibly proud to present this impact report, which highlights Ygam’s leading role in the prevention field and our recognised expertise in safeguarding children and young people,” she stated. “Central to our success is a strong commitment to collaboration and the transformative power of partnership.”

She added that the charity’s success lies not only in its impressive reach figures but also in its adherence to “rigorous evaluation” and “best-in-class standards.” Martin views this reflective and evidence-based culture as critical to the charity’s ongoing effectiveness and relevance.

Impact by the numbers

The Ygam Impact Report 2024–2025 is rich in quantitative data, highlighting the charity’s reach and measurable effects across multiple layers of society. Key figures include:

• An estimated 1,324,416 children and young people were positively impacted through professionals who completed Ygam’s specialised training.
• A total of 9,448 individuals in roles of influence—among them 3,762 educators and youth practitioners—received training during the reporting period.
• Ygam’s digital presence experienced remarkable growth, generating over 1 million social media engagements, reflecting a 322% increase from the previous year.
• An impressive 97% of training participants stated they would confidently recommend the Ygam programme to their peers.
• Similarly, 97% of delegates reported feeling significantly more prepared to detect and address gambling-related harms following their training.
• Within a year of completing their sessions, half of the trained teachers and youth professionals had incorporated Ygam’s educational tools and content into their work with young people.
• Through collaboration with The Scout Association, 2,134 volunteer leaders were trained, extending safeguarding support to an estimated 45,000 children and adolescents under their guidance.
• Ygam successfully engaged with more than 50 universities across the United Kingdom, strengthening its presence in higher education institutions.
• Through these university outreach efforts, the charity reached an estimated 115,000 students, promoting greater awareness of gambling-related risks among young adults.

These outcomes are not only indicative of the charity’s effectiveness but also serve as a benchmark for evaluating similar interventions in the education and youth services sectors.

A sustained commitment to learning and adaptability

A recurring theme throughout the report is Ygam’s commitment to continual improvement. The organisation maintains an ongoing feedback loop that integrates real-time data, participant testimonials, and independent findings into its programme development cycle.

This adaptability ensures that Ygam’s materials remain relevant and impactful as the social and technological context surrounding gambling and gaming continues to evolve.

Moreover, the charity’s dedication to transparency and external evaluation enhances its credibility in the eyes of partners, funders, and regulators. By publicly releasing its findings and methodologies, Ygam reinforces its role as a leader in evidence-based prevention.

Navigating a complex regulatory and cultural landscape

The significance of Ygam’s work is heightened by the broader context of increasing regulatory scrutiny in the UK gambling sector. With reforms under the Gambling Act 2005 review and mounting public concern over youth exposure to gambling content—particularly via online and social media platforms—organisations like Ygam are poised to play a critical role in shaping future norms.

At the same time, the line between gaming and gambling continues to blur through mechanisms like loot boxes, in-game purchases, and simulated betting environments. These trends complicate harm prevention strategies and make early intervention even more essential.

By targeting prevention efforts at the education and community levels, Ygam offers a valuable counterbalance to reactive or punitive regulatory models.

Looking ahead

As Ygam continues its work into the next fiscal year, the charity has outlined several strategic priorities. This involves strengthening its outreach to underrepresented communities, enhancing the reach of its online educational resources, and broadening collaborations with organisations focused on mental health support.

Ygam also aims to continue influencing national education and health policies, advocating for a more coordinated and youth-centred approach to gambling harm prevention.

The charity is expected to contribute research and recommendations to upcoming government consultations on online safety and digital literacy, further reinforcing its role as a sector leader.

Conclusion

The 2024–2025 Ygam Impact Report presents a compelling and data-driven account of the charity’s expanding role in the prevention of gambling and gaming harms among young people in the UK. With record-high reach figures, strengthened partnerships, and independently validated programme outcomes, Ygam has clearly positioned itself as a leading force in early intervention and harm education.

What distinguishes Ygam from many comparable initiatives is its unwavering commitment to evidence-based practice, continuous evaluation, and strategic adaptability. Rather than relying solely on headline numbers, the charity has invested in measuring long-term behavioural change and sector-wide impact—building a model that is not only effective but replicable.

With gambling and gaming habits rapidly changing—especially within the digital spaces commonly used by young people—Ygam’s forward-looking, education-based strategy provides a long-term, preventive solution that contrasts with purely reactive regulatory measures. The charity’s growing alignment with national policy priorities and its collaboration with respected institutions across education, youth services, and child protection further enhances its credibility and reach.

Ultimately, Ygam’s work is about more than just statistics—it is about safeguarding futures. By equipping adults with the tools to educate, identify, and intervene early, and by empowering young people with the knowledge to make safer choices, Ygam is building the foundations of a healthier, more informed generation. The charity’s future impact will no doubt be shaped by the same values that have guided it thus far: collaboration, accountability, and an unrelenting focus on youth wellbeing.

The complete Ygam Impact Report 2024–2025 is available to view in full at your convenience.

FAQs

What is Ygam and what does it do?
Ygam is a UK-based charity that focuses on preventing gambling and gaming-related harms among young people through education, training, and partnerships.

How many young people were reached by Ygam in its latest report?
According to its 2024–2025 Impact Report, Ygam reached an estimated 1.3 million children and young people across the UK.

Who are the primary beneficiaries of Ygam’s training programmes?
Ygam primarily trains professionals in education and youth services, including teachers, youth workers, community leaders, and university staff.

How is Ygam’s effectiveness evaluated?
The charity commissions independent evaluations of its core programmes and collects extensive feedback before and after training to assess outcomes.

What partnerships has Ygam formed to expand its reach?
Ygam works with organisations such as The Scouts, NSPCC, TSB Bank, and Barnardo’s to integrate its resources into community and educational settings.

Why is gambling harm prevention among youth important?
Young people are increasingly exposed to gambling content, especially online, making early education crucial in building resilience and awareness.

What did government officials say about Ygam’s work?
Baroness Twycross, a UK government minister, praised the charity’s role in protecting young people and pledged future collaboration.

How does Ygam support university students?
Ygam has visited over 50 universities and reached around 115,000 students through tailored prevention programmes and educational visits.

What impact did social media have on Ygam’s work?
Ygam achieved over 1 million social media impressions, marking a significant increase in digital engagement compared to previous years.

What are Ygam’s future goals?
Ygam aims to expand its digital reach, influence national policy, enhance inclusivity, and continue to invest in data-led programme development.