Recently, the English Gambling Education Hub (EGEH) published its inaugural Insights Report, with the results becoming public in the wake of the organisation’s first networking event dedicated to the risks of gambling harm that young people face. The original event took place in March 2023 and managed to attract many experts in fields such as education, health, and voluntary local authority.
The event also helped with the EGEH official introduction and highlighted how important it is for the public to be provided with efficient educational materials regarding gambling-related harm, not to mention the importance of qualitative professional services aimed at customer protection and safer gambling.
The hub, which encompasses organisations funded by the largest gambling-related charity in the UK – GambleAware – pledged to continue protecting young people from harm. Currently, the hub is associated with organisations such as GamCare, Aquarius, ARA, Breakeven, Beacon Counselling Trust, YGAM and NECA.
At the time when the aforementioned networking event was held, some market analysts discussed how gambling-related harm affects younger audiences in the country. The members of the English Gambling Education Hub assessed the risks and confirmed that they remain devoted to raising people’s awareness about the issue.
EGEH Experts Set Four Main Objectives for the Organisation to Work On
The English Gambling Education Hub has shared that tackling gambling-related issues is a matter of paramount importance, especially after a recent study commissioned by the country’s gambling regulator, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), showed that worrying 0.9% of British children aged 11 to 16 can already be categorised as problem gamblers. What is worse, the industry watchdog also revealed that an additional 2.4% of young people are exposed to the risk of developing gambling addiction and suffering gambling-related harm.
During the first-ever networking event held his spring by the EGEH, the organisation’s experts identified four main issues that can be helpful in solving the problem associated with gambling-related harm and prevention of gambling addiction.
The organisation noted that children and young people are normally more susceptible to gambling-related harm, but they are also more likely to respond to initiatives developed by other young people. That is why EGEG experts suggested enhanced collaboration with the youth, saying that such a partnership would be extremely important for the future success of educational programmes aimed at raising problem gambling awareness.
On the other hand, the organisation’s experts agreed that other issues could deteriorate gambling harm experienced by affected players, so the English Gambling Education Hub analysts say that links between problem gambling and other risky behaviours should be found. Safer gambling charities should also join forces to work together rather than rival one another in order for more efficient protection against gambling-related harm to be provided to consumers. Experts would be much more efficient by sharing expertise and resources.
Last but not least, local charity organisations need to take into account the fact there are diverse communities across the country that can experience gambling-related harm. That is why the experts would have to make sure they properly understand the differences and similarities between these communities in order to efficiently connect with these groups and protect them from gambling-related harm.
- Author
Daniel Williams
