The Scouts organisation has announced a significant new partnership with Ygam (Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust), a UK charity dedicated to preventing gambling-related harm among young people. This collaboration is focused on equipping Scouts aged 10 to 14 with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed choices about gambling.
Sponsoring the Sports Enthusiast Badge
As part of this partnership, Ygam is sponsoring the Scouts’ Sports Enthusiast Badge, which has been redesigned to include new educational resources. These resources focus specifically on the relationship between sports and gambling, offering activities designed to increase young people’s understanding of the potential risks associated with gambling and its impact on mental health and well-being.
The redesigned badge now includes three new resources that aim to address not only traditional gambling but also gambling-like mechanisms present in video games, a growing concern in today’s digital age. The resources highlight how gambling can be intertwined with sports and online activities, areas where young people are increasingly exposed to such risks.
Addressing a Growing Concern
The importance of this initiative is underscored by recent research from the UK Gambling Commission, which revealed that 40% of 11 to 17-year-olds had some form of gambling experience in the past year. Alarmingly, 25% of these youths reported spending their own money on gambling activities.
The partnership between Scouts and Ygam is particularly timely given the prevalence of video games among children and teenagers. According to recent data, 91% of UK children aged 3 to 15 play video games, and 34% of 11 to 17-year-olds have spent money on in-game items, which can sometimes mimic gambling mechanics.
Educational Impact
Ygam CEO Dr. Jane Rigbye expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We’re thrilled to be working with the Scouts, recognised globally for its programmes and activities aimed at the development of young people. Our organisations share many values and objectives, and it’s great to launch these new badge requirements ahead of the summer holidays when we know children will typically be spending more time online.”
She added that the partnership would leverage Ygam’s award-winning educational materials to reach a large and diverse youth network, potentially making a substantial impact on young people’s understanding of gambling risks.
Ray Newman-Smith, a Scout Lead Volunteer, highlighted the relevance of the partnership, sharing his surprise at how familiar young Scouts are with gambling brands due to their exposure through sports sponsorships. “I was surprised that nearly all of my Scouts knew most of the sports betting companies, which is a worry considering the Scouts age range is from 10.5 years to 14.5 years!” he remarked.
The Broader Context
The partnership between Scouts and Ygam reflects a broader societal concern about the increasing exposure of young people to gambling, particularly through online platforms and video games. By integrating these new resources into the Scouts’ activities, the initiative aims to foster a deeper understanding of the risks associated with gambling and help young people develop the skills needed to navigate these challenges safely.
The redesigned Sports Enthusiast Badge and the educational activities provided by Ygam are expected to play a crucial role in raising awareness among Scouts and helping them make informed decisions that protect their mental health and well-being.
Looking Forward
As the summer holidays approach, both organisations are hopeful that the introduction of these new resources will have a positive impact on young people who may be spending more time online and engaging with content that could expose them to gambling risks.
The partnership between the Scouts and Ygam is set to be a model for how educational initiatives can be effectively integrated into youth organisations, promoting awareness and fostering safe and responsible behaviours in an increasingly digital world.
This detailed article provides an overview of the partnership between Scouts and Ygam, focusing on the educational impact and the broader context of gambling awareness among youth.
