Start a discussion with your youth group about the potential long-term risks of becoming addicted to gambling.
Young people with a gambling addiction are struggling to access support, according to a report by the charity GamCare.
The charity's Gambling and Debt Pathfinder Study found that while NHS and youth justice organisations offer support for alcohol and drug addiction, there is a scarcity of similar services for young gamblers.
The consequences of not supporting young gamblers are dire, the charity warns. Suicidal thoughts are more common among young people with gambling problems such as debt.
Youth workers could be crucial to bridging this gap in support, according to Geoffrey Godbold, a former chief executive of GamCare and now director of the Great Foundation, which carries out research into gambling addiction. He advises that youth workers should acknowledge that gambling can be fun when starting a discussion on gambling. But youth workers should highlight the fact that the buzz from gambling comes at a cost. The only real winners are the gambling firms, says Godbold.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
