The National Youth Agency (NYA) will use the training tools and resources of the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) to educate and raise awareness of gambling harms across the youth work sector.

The NYA is the statutory organisation for youth work and training in England and Wales, dedicated to providing effective work opportunities for the development of the nation’s future workforce.

Under the partnership, NYA will connect its digital youth work programmes with YGAM’s evidence-informed training, providing youth workers with practical tools to better understand and respond to the risks associated with gaming and online gambling.

The collaboration comes at a time of heightened scrutiny on youth exposure to gambling and gambling-like mechanics embedded within video games. Latest Gambling Commission data shows that 59% of young people have some experience of gambling, while 30% have spent their own money on gambling within the last 12 months. 

The urgency of the partnership was expressed by Bex Pink, National Digital Innovation Lead of the NYS, who stated: “Young people are being exposed to new digital risks at a pace we can’t ignore, and the youth work sector urgently need the tools to respond. 

“NYA understands those frontline pressures, and by combining our expertise with YGAM’s leading knowledge of gaming and gambling harms, we can get vital, practical training to the workforce quickly. Together, we’re helping youth workers stay ahead of emerging risks to keep young people safer in their digital lives.”

Separate research commissioned by YGAM through Mumsnet found that boys aged 15–17 spend an average of 34 hours per week gaming, with two-thirds of parents expressing concerns about the risk of video game addiction.

Stakeholders continue to warn about the “blurred lines” between gaming and gambling, particularly the presence of chance-based features such as loot boxes, which have drawn comparisons to gambling products and raised safeguarding concerns.

Through the initiative, youth workers will gain access to specialist training aimed at strengthening their confidence to engage young people in conversations about digital behaviours, risk awareness and safer online habits. 

Linda Scollins Smith, Director of Programmes and Insight & Innovation at YGAM, commented: “We are delighted to partner with the National Youth Agency. We must be alert to the emerging risks young people face, and you can’t have a conversation about their online habits and safety without addressing gaming.

“Youth workers are well placed to have conversations with young people about their online habits, so it’s essential they are equipped with the right knowledge and skills to safeguard and support them effectively. 

“By combining our expertise with NYA’s reach and influence, we can make a real difference in empowering young people to live healthy and safe digital lives.”

The partnership signals a structured effort to embed gaming and gambling harm prevention within mainstream youth work frameworks, reinforcing safeguarding standards while supporting balanced engagement with digital entertainment.