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Vol.:(0123456789)
Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-025-00627-w
“Safeguarding Children andYoung People fromGambling Harms:
AScoping Review oftheGrey Literature”
KevinDavidson1 · ChristinaDavis2· EmilyArden‑Close3 · ElviraBolat3 · ConstantinaPanourgia3
Accepted: 28 October 2024
© The Author(s) 2025
Abstract
Purpose of Review This scoping review aims to assess the range and effectiveness of interventions in the UK or relevant to
the UK context designed to prevent or reduce gambling-related harms among children and young people (CYP) aged up to
25 years based on grey literature. Grey literature captures practical strategies and innovations not documented in academic
literature, offering a comprehensive understanding of existing interventions.
Recent Findings The review identified fourteen organisations offering interventions primarily focused on prevention and
treatment. Educational interventions, delivered through workshops, online courses, and digital resources, were most prevalent.
Innovative approaches, such as interactive web-based games, showed higher engagement levels among CYP. However, most
interventions lacked rigorous evaluation data, especially concerning CYP’s developmental needs.
Summary The review indicates the importance of multi-systemic approaches involving various stakeholders to mitigate
gambling-related harms. It highlights the need for tailored, evidence-based strategies addressing CYP’s vulnerabilities,
incorporating robust evaluation methods. Future research should include diverse linguistic and cultural contexts to ensure
comprehensive protection for CYP from gambling-related harms.
Keywords Gambling-related harm· Children and young people (CYP)· Prevention and treatment interventions· Scoping
review· Grey literature
Introduction
Recent decades have seen significant growth and diversi-
fication in commercial gambling markets, with gambling
becoming popular among children and young people (CYP).
CYP includes children (8–13), adolescents (13–18 years)
and emerging adults (18–25 years) [1]. Despite gambling
being illegal for those under 18 [2], young people are fre-
quently exposed to and engage in gambling. For example,
in the UK, 1.7% of 11–16-year-olds experience gambling-
related problems, and 31% had gambled in the past year [3].
Additionally, 82% of the United Kingdom (UK) children
aged 12–15 play online video games with gambling-like
activities, such as loot boxes, which are not legally classified
as gambling [4]. These entities can entail significant finan-
cial burdens [5], but are often overlooked by adults, who are
unequipped to identify warning signs due to lack of aware-
ness [6, 7].
The growing accessibility of both regulated and unreg-
ulated gambling has expanded the range of opportunities
available to CYP, increasing their susceptibility to develop-
ing problematic gambling [8]. Additionally, gambling adver-
tisements featuring celebrities and social media influencers
[9] enhance visibility among CYP, portraying gambling as
socially acceptable and desirable for socialising, entertain-
ment [10, 11], and financial independence [12]. Emerging
adults and university students have been identified as high
risk groups for problematic gambling [13], with 21% of GB
university students classed as ‘problem gamblers’ [14]. The
combination of widespread accessibility, targeted marketing,
and the glamorisation of gambling, combined with youth
developmental traits — such as sensation-seeking, risk-
taking [1], and limited understanding of probabilities [15,
16], risks and consequences [17, 18] — intensifies CYP’s
vulnerability to gambling-related risks.
* Constantina Panourgia
cpanourgia@bournemouth.ac.uk
1 Goldsmiths College, University ofLondon, London, UK
2 University oftheWest ofEngland, Bristol, UK
3 Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
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Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 16 Page 2 of 19
Despite significant short-term [19, 20] and long-term [21]
consequences of gambling for CYP these effects may be
obscured due to CYP’s limited financial resources and the
misconception that age restrictions effectively prevent gam-
bling [22]. Government endorsement, pervasive advertising,
and media have normalised gambling, further masking its
risks [23–25]. Therefore, targeted interventions are crucial
to protect CYP from gambling-related harm.
To safeguard CYP from gambling-related harm, various
interventions have been proposed, including psychological
interventions, family support mechanisms, public education,
advertising restrictions, and safer gambling features [16].
However, few strategies are specifically designed for CYP,
excepting some educational initiatives [26]. Systematic
reviews provide an overview of existing programs [27–33],
but raise concerns about the long-term effectiveness of
school-based programs due to limited follow-up [30] and a
lack of family-focused strategies, particularly for children of
parents experiencing problem gambling [29]. These reviews
highlight the need to investigate prevention programmes
which are integrated into school curricula [28, 31] as well
as public health interventions outside of educational set-
tings [32], both of which may exist outside of the scope of
academic reviews due to methodological inclusion criteria.
Given the rapidly evolving gambling landscape and the
lack of comprehensive evidence on intervention efficacy for
CYP at risk of gambling-related harm [32], we conducted
a scoping review of grey literature. This approach aimed to
capture a broader range of interventions, including those not
documented or empirically validated in academic literature
[33]. This is due to the fact that practitioners are able to
respond to issues of concern more quickly than the time it
takes to conduct high-quality research [34]. Such reviews can
reveal practical strategies and innovations that have not been
widely disseminated, highlight existing interventions and
evaluations, and identify gaps for further development [35,
36]. In doing so, reviews of grey literature may also address
the risk of publication bias inherent in reviews of traditional
academic journals controlled by commercial publishers [37].
To address the gaps in interventions for gambling-
related harm among CYP, we propose the following review
questions:
Research Question 1: What type of organisations are
delivering interventions to prevent or reduce gam-
bling-related harm among CYP?
Research Question 2: What type of interventions are
being delivered to prevent or reduce gambling-related
harm among CYP, how are they delivered and how
successful are they?
By addressing these questions, our research aims to illu-
minate the current interventions for CYP and stakeholders
in the UK and relevant to the UK context, highlighting
effective strategies, their organisation, and evaluation, and
offering potential blueprints for broader implementation.
Methodology
A scoping review of international grey literature was con-
ducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Sys-
tematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension
for scoping reviews [38] and Arksey and O’Malley’s [39]
5-stage protocol:
• Phase 1: formulated research questions and established
inclusion/exclusion criteria (see Table1).
• Phase 2: developed search terms (see Fig.1), in consulta-
tions with contributing authors and a Project Advisory
Group (PAG) of healthcare and education professionals
experienced in child issues and/or gambling.
• Phase 3: searched grey literature from the UK,
Canada, and Australia as they are English-speaking
jurisdictions with similar approaches to addressing
gambling-related harms. Although this study aims
to examine gambling-related issues within the UK
context, the grey literature analysed primarily origi-
nates from organisations and regulatory frameworks
in Great Britain (GB). This reflects the concentration
of relevant materials and the legislative variations
between GB and Northern Ireland. Sources included
websites such as YGAM, Gambling Commission,
GamCare, local authorities, Public Health England,
Youth Index 2023, National Youth Agency, and rel-
evant children’s charities. Google searches were con-
ducted in June and July 2023 using the search terms
seen in Fig.1 and guided by our PAG. Additionally,
systematic reviews guided identification of organisa-
tions offering interventions, followed by searches of
their websites.
• Phase 4: charted data on organisation, type of organisa-
tion, location, type of intervention, nature of interven-
tion, audience, mode of delivery and evaluation/accredi-
tation.
• Phase 5: analysed data to identify common themes and
suggest future research and practice directions; synthe-
sised our findings into actionable recommendations and
identified ways to address gambling-related harms among
CYP.
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Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 Page 3 of 19 16
Fig. 1 Search terms
Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion
criteria
UK refers to the United Kingdom and includes countries such as England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern
Ireland
Inclusion Criteria Exclusion Criteria
● Reports on interventions on
children and young people up
to 25 years
● Reports on interventions involving participants aged over 25 years.
● Interventions for children and
young people experiencing
gambling-related harm.
● Interventions conducted before 2008.
● Reports in English language. ● Countries that are not comparable to the United Kingdom (UK*)
(e.g., countries where gambling is illegal for all ages, not just children
aged under 18 years).
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Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 16 Page 4 of 19
Search Terms
Establishing theParameters oftheScoping Review
A scoping review protocol was developed to define the
review question and inclusion/exclusion criteria. A prelim-
inary literature search revealed a focus on adult gambling
interventions, with few targeting CYP, likely due to the
legal gambling age of 18 in many jurisdictions. In order
to cover vulnerable groups like university students and
‘emerging adults’, interventions for individuals aged up to
25 years were included. However, interventions that were
specifically designed for adult populations which were
available to those over 18 were excluded. For example,
if an intervention was designed for university students, it
was included. However, if an intervention was designed for
adults and happened to be available to university students,
it was excluded.
Interventions from before 2008 were excluded due to
the significant changes in gambling-related harms for CYP
following the release of the first Apple iPhone in 2007 [40]
and the increasing access to smartphones which followed
[41]. Given CYP’s high engagement in online gaming [4,
42, 43] and the recognition of Gaming Disorder as a clini-
cal condition [44], we considered whether to include inter-
ventions for gaming-related harm. Preliminary searches
showed extensive reviews on gaming disorder interven-
tions [45–47]. However, due to differences between gam-
ing and gambling (gaming primarily involves skill rather
than chance and may not necessarily entail significant
monetary expenditures), this review focused on interven-
tions for gambling-related harm in CYP, excluding those
targeting gaming-related harm.
Screening, Data Charting andSynthesis ofResults
The PRISMA flow diagram is presented in Fig.2. The
first two authors screened the grey literature, with dis-
crepancies resolved by another team member. Data from
the selected literature were organised in Microsoft Excel.
Each organisation providing a qualifying intervention was
treated as a single data unit, irrespective of the diversity
of interventions offered. This was because organisations
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Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 Page 5 of 19 16
often presented a variety of intervention strategies through
a range of online platforms. This approach accounted for
the dynamic nature of the data, which organisations often
edited and was not statically documented in peer-reviewed
studies or policy reports.
Data were analysed using the PAGER framework, encom-
passing patterns, advancements, gaps, practical evidence,
and research recommendations [48]. Tabular representation
was supplemented with a narrative summarising methodolo-
gies and outcomes. Extracted information included organi-
sational details, program titles, geographic distribution of
recipients, target demographics, intervention modality and
nature, and assessment methods.
Results
The search identified 14 organisations offering interven-
tions for CYP. Data was collected on type of organisation,
geographic availability, nature and type of interventions,
target audience and delivery modes (see Table2), as well
as effectiveness of interventions, source of data relating
Fig. 2 PRISMA Diagram
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Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 16 Page 6 of 19
Table 2 Organisations identified in the grey literature
GB refers to Great Britain which includes three countries, England, Wales and Scotland
# Organisation Type of Organisation Location Type of Intervention Nature of Intervention Audience Mode of Delivery
1 National Gambling Clinic
(NGC)
NHS Foundation Trust. Greater London, England Treatment Psychological CYP (13–18) In-person Counselling
2 Addiction Recovery Agency
(ARA)
Registered Charity South-
West England
Prevention, Treatment Educational, Psychological CYP (11–19), Practitioners In-person Counselling, Work-
shops, Online Resources
3 Big Deal Registered Charity Great Br itain (GB)* Prevention Educational, Psychological CYP (11–18),
Parents/
Carers, Practitioners
Online Resources, Online
Chat, Telephone counselling,
4 GamCare Young People’s
Support Service
Registered Charity GB Prevention, Treatment Psychological, Harm mini-
misation
CYP Online Resources,
Online Chat, Telephone coun-
selling, Blocking Software
5 Beacon Counselling Trust
(BCT)
(+ GamCare)
Registered Charity North-
West England
Prevention, Treatment Educational,
Psychological
CYP,
Practitioners, Parents/
Carers
Online Resources, In-person
counselling, Telephone
counselling, Workshops
6 The Young Gamers and
Gamblers Education Trust
(YGAM)
Registered Charity GB Prevention Educational CYP,
Practitioners
Online Resources,
Workshops
7 Fast Forward (+ GambleA-
ware)
Registered Charity Scotland Prevention Educational Practitioners Online Resources
8 Demos Registered Charity GB Prevention Educational Practitioners Online Resources
9 Epic Risk Management Limited Company GB Prevention Educational CYP Workshops
10 Gambling Harm UK Registered Charity GB Prevention Educational CYP, Practitioners Workshops, Online Resources,
Podcast
11 Responsible Gambling
Council
Non-for-profit organisation Canada Prevention, Treatment Educational CYP (12–24) Online Resources (inc. web-
based game), Telephone
counselling, In-person
counselling (Ontario residents
only), Live Game Show
Workshop (Ontario residents
only)
12 YMCA Canada Registered Charity Ontario, Canada Prevention Educational CYP (8–24), Practitioners,
Parents/
Carers
Workshops, Online Resources,
Projects
13 Victorian Responsible Gam-
bling Foundation (VRGF)
Statutory Authority Victoria, Australia Prevention, Treatment Educational, Psychological CYP, Practitioners, Parents/
Carers
Workshops, Online Resources,
Telephone counselling,
Online chat.
14 Gambleaware New South
Wales
Statutory Authority New South Wales, Australia Prevention, Treatment Educational, Psychological CYP, Practitioners Workshops, Online Resources,
In-person counselling,
Telephone counselling,
Online Chat
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Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 Page 7 of 19 16
to effectiveness and accreditation processes (see Table3).
Seven organisations provided interventions that were classi-
fied as “treatment” (for CYP already experiencing gambling-
related harm) whilst thirteen of the organisations provided
interventions which were classified as “prevention” (for
those at risk). Twelve of the organisations provided interven-
tions which were categorised as “educational” (information
sharing), seven provided interventions categorised as “psy-
chological” (therapeutic processes), and one organisation
provided an intervention categorised as “harm minimisa-
tion” (limiting gambling access). Twelve of the organisations
provided interventions for CYP, nine provided interventions
for practitioners, and four for parents/carers. Specific age
ranges for CYP were recorded where provided. Twelve of
the organisations delivered interventions in the form of
online resources (courses, documents, podcasts, games),
nine delivered interventions through workshops, six offered
telephone counselling, five offered in-person counselling,
and four offered online chat. Data was gathered on the
effectiveness of the interventions where available. Seven
of the organisations provided this information via annual
reporting processes, three provided the information on their
organisational website, three organisations commissioned
independent evaluations, one organisation provided both
annual reports and independent evaluation and one organi-
sation did not provide information on the effectiveness of
their interventions.
Type ofOrganisation andLocations
Most organisations were registered charities. Ten organi-
sations are national covering Great Britain (GB: which
includes three countries, England, Wales and Scotland and
excludes Northern Ireland) and not the entire UK (covers GB
countries and Northern Ireland): seven operate GB-wide,
one in South-West England, one in North-West England, and
one in Scotland. Four organisations are international: two in
Canada and two in Australia.
Type ofInterventions
Given the focus on prevention and reduction, preventative
interventions are summarised first, followed by treatment
interventions. The results show overlap between preven-
tion and treatment but distinguishing them was deemed
beneficial.
Preventative Interventions
Information about preventative interventions was obtained
from gambling-related charities’ websites. In GB, seven
national registered charities (GamCare, Big Deal, YGAM,
Demos, Gambling Harm UK, Epic Risk Management) and
three regional organisations (Beacon Counselling Trust in
North West England, Fast Forward in Scotland, ARA Recov-
ery for All in Wales and South West England) offer preventa-
tive interventions for CYP. In Canada, two national organisa-
tions (Responsible Gambling, YMCA) were included, and in
Australia, two state-level organisations (Victorian Responsi-
ble Gambling Foundation, Gambleaware New South Wales).
Nature and Audience Most preventative interventions were
educational, including school workshops, online courses,
learning resources, and training programs. These materials
aimed to inform CYP about the risks of gambling harms
and offered behavioural interventions such as phone sup-
port for goal setting (Big Deal). One organisation provided
a harm minimisation intervention, offering free Gamban
blocking software licences via the National Gambling Hel-
pline (GamCare). Of the 14 organisations identified, four
provided interventions for CYP, two provided interventions
for practitioners, while eight targeted both CYP as well as
practitioners and/or parents.
Mode of Delivery Preventative interventions included work-
shops, downloadable resources, online chat, telephone hel-
plines, and online courses or training programs (self-paced
or organisation-delivered). Outside of GB, more advanced
delivery methods and digital marketing strategies are evi-
dent. For example, Responsible Gambling Canada employs
“edutainment”, using live stage shows and digital games for
high school students. Evaluations indicate these strategies
effectively engage large numbers of young people [49]. The
“House of Wisdoms” digital game, raising awareness about
gambling risks, reached over 470,000 teenagers in Ontario
via social media, while “Check your (Re)flex”, an interac-
tive video game, engaged over 32,000 young people and
exceeded 5million social media impressions [49]. These
interactive, digital methods may be more engaging for youth
[49]. In Australia, educational material aligned with the
upper primary curriculum engages CYP through a fictitious
interactive video game [50]. Such digital strategies neces-
sitate interdisciplinary collaboration and funding to produce
high-quality, school-oriented digital content.
Source of Evaluative Data The effectiveness of preventa-
tive interventions was assessed by sourcing evaluative data.
Three organisations provided this information directly on
the organisational webpages, which typically contained only
headline statistics about the numbers of participants engaged
by the intervention(s) and satisfaction levels. Seven of the
organisations provided evaluative data via annual reporting
processes, through impact or progress reports downloadable
from their organisational website. Annual reports typically
contained more detailed information to accompany head-
line quantitative statistics, such as organisational strategies,
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Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 16 Page 8 of 19
Table 3 Evaluation and effectiveness relating to organisations
# Organisation Source of Data Effectiveness Accreditation
1 National Gambling
Clinic (NGC)
N/A N/A N/A
2 Addiction Recovery
Agency (ARA)
ARA Impact Report
2023/24
● 8,430 CYP and 1340 practitioners
engaged in Educational intervention.
● 1,758 people received CBT, with an
increased Problem Gambling Severity
Index (PGSI) score from 19 (pre-inter-
vention) to 3 (post-intervention).
N/A
3 Big Deal Big Deal website ● 133,000 + young people attended a
workshop in the last 4 years.
● 28,000 + professionals completed train-
ing in the last 4 years.
● 94% of young people attending work-
shops know how to make safe choices
about gambling.
N/A
4 GamCare Young
People’s Support
Service
GamCare Annual Report
2022/23
● Gambling awareness workshops
attended by 45,562 at-risk children
and young people, leading to increased
understanding of how gambling can harm
themselves or their peers (87 − 96%), and
increased knowledge about how to make
safer choices if they choose to gamble
(82 − 93%).
● Trained 8,526 professionals who work
with young people, leading to increased
understanding of how a young person
could develop a problem with gambling
(from 27–98%) and increased under-
standing of how gambling can harm
young people (from 68–99%).
● Reached 488 parents and carers of
young people.
● Accredited by the National Youth
Agency.
● Awarded ‘Advanced’ level accreditation.
● Several recommendations made.
● The accreditation will be re-assessed in
three years.
5 Beacon Counselling
Trust (BCT)
(+ GamCare)
BCT Impact Report
2023/24
● Education and early prevention work-
shops delivered to 4,298 young people.
● Education and early prevention work-
shops delivered to 1,043 professionals,
parents and carers.
N/A
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Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 Page 9 of 19 16
Table 3 (continued)
# Organisation Source of Data Effectiveness Accreditation
6 The Young Gamers
and Gamblers
Education Trust
(YGAM)
YGAM Impact Report
2023
NCVO Independent
Evaluation Report 2020
[46]
● 991,929 estimated young people reach
through delegates trained.
● 5,223 delegates trained in positions
of care and influence over children and
young people, including 1,636 teachers
and 1,035 youth workers.
● 13,493 resources downloaded.
● 1119.5h of training delivered.
● 99% of delegates felt better, equipped to
identify and respond to gambling harms
following YGAM training.
● 95% of delegates would recommend
YGAM training to a colleague.
● 95% of parents and carers felt that their
knowledge had improved following
YGAM training.
● 96% of social care professionals felt
more confident about spotting the signs
of gaming and gambling harms after
completing a YGAM workshop.
● 97% of university staff from 45 universi-
ties felt better equipped to support stu-
dents who may be experiencing gaming
or gambling harms and signpost them to
the correct services, having completed
YGAM training.
● Education Programme delivered to over
2,488 practitioners from 2017–2020 and
estimated 364,918 young people through
YGAM-trained practitioners.
● Young people experiencing intervention
had increased understanding of gaming-
and gambling-related harms and potential
risks and triggers, increased awareness of
support and resources, improved finan-
cial knowledge, and more confidence in
discussing problem gambling with peers
and others.
● Practitioners experiencing interven-
tion had increased understanding of the
subject matter, improved familiarity with
YGAM’s work, increased level of confi-
dence to discuss the subject matter with
young people, a more sympathetic and
understanding approach to the subject
matter, receipt of a Pearson accreditation.
About 50% have had opportunities to use
YGAM materials with young people.
● It is too early to report on the extent to
which young people have decreased their
risks of gaming and gambling or having
better financial capability or increased
digital resilience.
● Pearson accreditation: YGAM prac-
titioners receive Pearson accreditation
upon completing a YGAM workshop.
● Pearson Assured: YGAM’s education
resources, programs, and facilitation
are quality-assured and accredited by
Pearson.
● YGAM is also accredited by City &
Guilds and has Customised Accreditation
Centre status from ASDAN.
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Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 16 Page 10 of 19
Table 3 (continued)
# Organisation Source of Data Effectiveness Accreditation
7 Fast Forward
(+ GambleAware)
Evaluation Report by IFF
Research 2022
● Evidence of improvement in the number
of young people understanding and
acknowledging gambling risks and being
aware of available support. Following
the intervention, 85% of young people
felt more aware of the consequences of
gambling, 90% felt more confident in
their ability to identify signs of gambling
harms among their friends, and 84% felt
more confident about how to access sup-
port if needed. Less evidence of young
people’s improved ability to critically
assess risk and make more informed
decisions around gambling.
● Improved practitioner awareness of the
relevance of youth gambling education
to their role; knowledge of and ability
to recognise youth gambling risks in
the people they support; their awareness
of available support services and their
confidence in signposting young people
to support.
N/A
8 Demos Evaluation Report by
Demos 2018
● 20% increase in the proportion of pupils
able to help someone experiencing gam-
bling problems, relative to pupils at the
comparison schools.
● 18% increase in the proportion of pupils
who know where to go to talk about
gambling problems.
● 11% increase in the proportion of pupils
being able to describe what delayed
gratification is.
● 10% increase in the proportion of pupils
understanding techniques used by the
gambling industry to persuade people to
gamble.
N/A
9 Epic Risk Manage-
ment
Epic Risk Management
website
● 97% satisfaction score across all safer
gambling programmes.
● 92% of school staff members were com-
pletely satisfied with the EPIC session.
● 90% of student-athletes who partici-
pated in the program reported an increase
in their understanding of the risks associ-
ated with gambling.
● Accredited by Institute of Leadership &
Management.
● No further information available.
10 Gambling Harm
UK
Gambling Harm UK
website
● Time to Learn sessions for primary
care practitioners. Thirty-three of those
GP trainees who attended the 90-minute
awareness training session provided feed-
back that the training was helpful (82%),
the content was relevant (85%), and skills
of the trainer were excellent (82%).
N/A
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Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 Page 11 of 19 16
Table 3 (continued)
# Organisation Source of Data Effectiveness Accreditation
11 Responsible Gam-
bling Council
(RGC)
RGC Impact Report
2023/24
● Educational workshop delivered to
6,000 students through 18 performances
across Ontario including indigenous
communities.
● Interactive game program in 25 in-per-
son activations drove 3,600 + meaningful
interactions, leading to 9,986 entries to
the incentive scholarship awards contest
and a 400% increase Year on Year page
traffic to the RGC young adult webpages.
● Delivered 2 community awareness
webinars resulting in high satisfaction
(both reaching over 95%), leading to 16%
increase in e-newsletter subscriptions and
2,000 educational problem gambling and
prevention kits distributed to college and
university students.
● Social awareness campaigns aimed
at 18–24-year olds resulted in 8.1M
impressions, including targeting at-risk
South Asian and Chinese communities.
N/A
12 YMCA Canada Evaluation Report by
Strategic Science (2017)
● Evaluation of Youth Gambling Aware-
ness Programme found increased
awareness of harm related to problem
gambling, increased recall of low-risk
gambling practices, increased positive
attitudes towards treatment, increased
awareness of help resources related to
problem gambling, and decreased mis-
conceptions of gambling.
● The objective of reducing stigma, that is
the negative beliefs that youth hold about
problem gamblers, was not achieved by
this workshop.
N/A
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Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 16 Page 12 of 19
targets and partnerships related to interventions. Three
organisations had commissioned independent evaluations
of their interventions, highly detailed reports including the
methodological processes employed to generate the data.
One organisation, Demos, carried out an equally thorough
report into the piloting of one specific intervention.
Effectiveness The different ways in which organisations gen-
erated and published evaluation data affected the strength/
validity of the evidence relating to effectiveness. Firstly, where
data was published in greater detail, such as in reports rather
than on websites, there was greater scope to include impor-
tant information such as the methodological processes used to
gather the data. Secondly, when the data was produced by an
independent evaluator the evidence had greater validity due to
the reduced chance of bias and the methodological expertise of
a professional evaluator. Thirdly, when the published data only
related to numbers of participants engaged there was limited
evidence as to the effectiveness of the intervention. Evidence
of intervention effectiveness was improved when data was
also gathered post-intervention on participants’ understand-
ing of the content or their satisfaction levels; however, this
measure is highly subjective. Fourthly, when data was gathered
only at pre- and post-intervention stages, it was not possible
to provide any evidence about the long-term effectiveness of
the intervention. This highlights the importance of strategic
evaluation plans where data is gathered over a number of years
in relation to a specific project. For example, VRGF commis-
sioned La Trobe University Centre for Sport and Social Impact
(2020–22) to evaluate their ‘Love the Game’ projects leading
to evidence relating to longer term effectiveness.
Table 3 (continued)
# Organisation Source of Data Effectiveness Accreditation
13 Victorian Respon-
sible Gambling
Foundation
(VRGF)
VRGF Impact Report
2022/23
● In 2022–23, 113 schools/education
settings were directly engaged in the ‘Be
Ahead of the Game’ program, with 323
student/parent/teacher education sessions
delivered to 7431 participants.
● Evaluation of Love the Game conducted
by La Trobe University Centre for Sport
and Social Impact (2020–22) found that:
● 87% of young people who completed
a Love the Game education session
reported an increase in ‘very good under-
standing’ of betting risk after completing
the session from 18 % (before) to 52 %
(after).
● 89% of parents think it is important to
have conversations with their child(ren)
about the risks of sports betting and
two-thirds (66 %) have spoken to their
child(ren) about gambling risks.
● 33% of parents who regularly bet on
sport stated they had reduced the amount
of time they speak about sports betting/
odds in front of their child(ren) as a
result of seeing or hearing the Love the
Game campaign.
● 224 local Love the Game clubs had
developed a gambling harm prevention
policy and committed to actions that
limit or reduce exposure of young people
to gambling promotion at their club.
N/A
14 Gambleaware New
South Wales
(GNSW)
GNSW Progress Report
2022/23
● GambleAware for Parents workshop,
to educate parents about prevent-
ing gambling harm, delivered by five
GambleAware providers in nine schools
and communities across the state.
● GambleAware for Schools resources
released for high-school teachers to use
to support young people to be aware of
the risks of gambling and make informed
decisions.
N/A
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 Page 13 of 19 16
In general, the results highlight the value of independ-
ent evaluations in providing stronger evidence relating to
the effectiveness of interventions. Four organisations com-
missioned independent evaluation reports which provide
more detailed evidence about effectiveness of interven-
tions. Firstly, the Gamban blocking software’s effective-
ness has been evaluated; however, data specific to young
people’s engagement was not isolated [51]. Secondly, the
YGAM Education Programme was independently evaluated
by NCVO Charities Evaluation Services in three regions
(North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber, London
and South East). This evaluation used online surveys, semi-
structured interviews with practitioners, and workshops with
CYP to assess effectiveness, resulting in evidence-based
recommendations [52]. Thirdly, YMCA’s Youth Gambling
Awareness Program (YGAP) was independently evaluated
by Strategic Science [53], using a combination of student
focus groups, teacher surveys and interviews, as well as
pre- and post-workshop surveys. Fourthly, Fast Forward’s
Scottish Gambling Education Hub was evaluated by IFF
Research [54], through a range of seven online quantitative
surveys including pre- and post-intervention surveys. Fifthly,
whilst Demos evaluated their own educational intervention
pilot project, there was a similarly high level of methodo-
logical rigour in the evaluation process, including pre- and
post-surveys over a 12-month interval, lesson observations
and post-delivery focus groups with teachers and pupils [55].
Accreditation of Practitioner Training In GB, three organisa-
tions presented training courses for professional practition-
ers which carried accreditation by the Institute of Leader-
ship and Management (Epic Risk Management), Pearson
Assured (YGAM) and National Youth Agency (GamCare
Young People’s Support Service). Accreditation and evalu-
ation of training programmes may improve quality of provi-
sion and increase practitioner uptake; however, no evidence
was found relating to this.
Selectively Targeted Preventative Interventions Selectively
targeted interventions are directed towards specific groups
of either at-risk CYP or adults uniquely placed to support
CYP. GB provision for CYP at risk of harm is limited, with
specific interventions available only for students (provided by
YGAM). Selectively targeted preventative interventions aimed
at specific communities (e.g., South Asian communities, peo-
ple working in the armed forces, people in the criminal justice
system) are designed for all ages. Targeted approaches for
specific CYP have been developed outside GB. For example,
in Australia, youth gambling interventions have been built
around pre-existing community groups with interest in sport
or gaming [56]. In Canada, prevention programmes with dedi-
cated websites with neutral messaging have been developed
for Chinese, South Asian and Indigenous youth [49].
In GB, interventions have been specifically designed
for adults who are uniquely placed to support CYP, most
commonly teachers and parents. YGAM offers training pro-
grammes for parents/carers, teachers, primary care health
professionals, social workers, foster carers and children’s
residential care teams. This approach is also taken outside
GB.
Treatment Interventions
Nature and Audience In GB, treatment for CYP experienc-
ing gambling-related harm operates within existing insti-
tutional frameworks primarily tailored for adult treatment,
involving collaboration among the National Health Service
(NHS), governmental bodies, gambling treatment entities,
and charitable organisations like GambleAware, GamCare,
and Big Deal. The National Gambling Support Network
(NGSN) coordinates GB-based organisations offering con-
fidential, individualised assistance, including the National
Gambling Helpline and a Young People’s Support Service
(YPSS).
Mode of Delivery The 24-hour Helpline, managed by the
independent charity GamCare, offers telephone, web chat,
WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and in-person consulta-
tions. YPSS, catering to under-18s, includes Northern Ire-
land, providing tailored support via a dedicated email, self-
referral mechanism, or through the Big Deal website.
In GB the NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic
in England provides face-to-face counselling for indi-
viduals aged 13 + through seven regional clinics. Seven
additional clinics are scheduled to open in England to
meet increasing demand [57], with calls for a clinic in
Wales [58]. These clinics provide psychological sup-
port, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and
psychodynamic psychotherapy, by trained psychiatrists,
clinical psychologists, and counselling psychologists.
However, they are not tailored specifically for children
and young people (CYP).
In analogous jurisdictions such as New South Wales,
Australia, services for CYP resemble GB services.
GambleAware New South Wales offers a nationwide hel-
pline accessible via telephone, online chat, and social
media platforms, alongside regional centres providing
face-to-face counselling. Supplementary services include
financial counselling, gambling-specific legal advice,
and translation services. Similar to the GB model, CYP
services are integrated within adult provision, directing
towards general children’s mental health services such as
‘Kidsline’, a 24/7 service for children aged 5 and above.
The adequacy of counsellors’ training on gambling-
related harm for CYP remains unclear.
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 16 Page 14 of 19
Source of Evaluative Data Evaluative data on the effective-
ness of treatment interventions for CYP was scarce. None of
the seven organisations which provided treatment interven-
tions in this review provided evaluative data relating specifi-
cally to CYP. This was often due to the fact that data pro-
vided does not separate out CYP from other populations. For
example, in their 2023/24 annual report Addiction Recovery
Agency (ARA) in GB recorded that 1,758 people received
CBT, with an average increase of Problem Gambling Sever-
ity Index (PGSI) score from 19 to 3,1 but this applies to peo-
ple of all ages who use their gambling counselling services.
Effectiveness This review found a dearth of evaluative data
relating to the effectiveness of treatment interventions for
CYP.
Discussion
This scoping review of grey literature aimed to identify
what type of organisations are delivering interventions to
address gambling-related harm among CYP, what type of
interventions are being delivered, how the interventions are
being delivered and evaluated, and how effective they are.
We identified 14 organisations, mainly GB-based charities,
delivering predominantly educational and psychological pre-
ventative interventions. Most interventions were evaluated
by organisational annual reports which recorded numbers of
CYP, or practitioners engaged but lacked evidence about the
interventions’ long-term effectiveness in reducing gambling
harms among CYP. Where independent evaluations were
conducted, stronger evidence was provided about the extent
to which the intervention may reduce gambling-related harm
for CYP.
Grey literature syntheses include public health approaches
undertaken by practitioners that are not yet captured by peer-
reviewed studies, and can reveal under-researched interven-
tions [35, 37]. Previous research into the mitigation of gam-
bling harm shows that the evidence base is dominated by
evaluations of individual-level harm reduction interventions
and lacks research on context-based interventions [26]. This
review also highlights the need for research into context-
based interventions, with over 60% of organisations offer-
ing interventions aimed at practitioners and parents, high-
lighting the importance of supportive and knowledgeable
adults in creating safer environments for CYP [59]. This
reflects a multi-systemic understanding of human develop-
ment [60, 61], emphasising the importance of whole systems
approaches.
In GB, gambling-related harm among adult populations
has been addressed through whole systems strategies [16].
The rebranding of the National Gambling Treatment Service
as the National Gambling Support Network emphasises a
focus on early intervention and regional connectivity with
local government services. For example, the whole coun-
cil approach implemented by Public Health England and
the Local Government Association involves collaboration
among various services, including children’s, family, adult,
treatment, homelessness, housing, and financial inclusion.
This approach aims to train frontline staff, map local gam-
bling risks, establish licensing policies, conduct compliance
visits, and share local data to develop preventive strategies.
Some of the organisations in this review are pursuing a
whole systems approach to reducing the risks of gambling
harm for CYP, and collaborative efforts between charitable
organisations and governmental bodies at both national and
local levels have enhanced support networks. For example,
in GB the cross-disciplinary approach to developing the
accredited ‘Bet You Can Help’ (BYCH) training programme
combined the local networks of the Beacon Counselling
Trust with addiction recovery expertise (ARA), including
broader public health perspectives through accreditation by
The Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH), and evalua-
tive insights by an international organisation, the Gambling
Research Exchange Ontario (GREO). Cross-disciplinary
collaboration such as this has the potential to draw together
expertise from adult gambling harm reduction into the
design of interventions which are appropriate for and rel-
evant to CYP, practitioners and parents.
Innovative funding approaches can also lead to cross-
disciplinary collaboration. For example, a school-based
intervention program in Victoria, Australia combined fund-
ing from the VRGF with additional support from the Vic-
torian Government’s Creative Learning Partnerships pro-
gram as well as public health organisation the VicHealth
Future Healthy Award. Significant levels of funding may
be required to deliver interventions which draw upon inno-
vative digital modalities to engage CYP more effectively.
For example, RGC accessed funding from the Ministry of
Health and Long-Term Care to develop a digital web-based
educational game, freely available to Ontario high school
students and supported by social media campaigns includ-
ing a collaboration with Kids Help Phone, a national mental
health resource for youth. However, whilst there is evidence
of high levels of engagement in these interventions among
CYP, there is a need for further research into the effective-
ness of these approaches in reducing gambling harm.
Whole systems preventative approaches also build on
pre-existing networks of support by extending existing CYP
services, such as education and mental health services, to
include an awareness of gambling-related harm. Organi-
sations such as YGAM, Demos and VRGF have designed
1 With lower PGSI scores representing a lower gambling risk.
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 Page 15 of 19 16
curriculum-aligned interventions for school lessons, drawing
on teachers’ expertise and established institutional structures
to ensure widespread engagement within a supportive envi-
ronment. The evaluation of these programmes indicate they
are effective and have led to suggestions for future devel-
opment. For example, the evaluation of YGAM’s Personal,
Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE)-aligned
programme advises that issues to do with problem gaming
and gambling should be reframed to link with health and
safeguarding, and that interested practitioners and young
people should be involved as much as possible in the design
of the evaluation [52]. This supports recommendations
for the inclusion of youth voice in the planning of public
health interventions related to gambling [62]. The VRGF’s
‘Be ahead of the Game’ programme evaluation gathered
anecdotal evidence that the retelling of lived experience
of gambling harm and recovery helps create empathy and
understanding among CYP. These findings suggest that there
is a need for further research to understand factors in the
effectiveness of school-based interventions.
Whole systems approaches can generate selective pre-
vention interventions by connecting national funding initia-
tives with the needs and vulnerabilities of specific groups in
society. In GB students have been identified as being par-
ticularly vulnerable to gambling-related harm and YGAM’s
interactive digital intervention designed specifically for stu-
dents has received positive testimonial feedback but lacks
evaluation in terms of effectiveness. There is evidence that
minority groups in GB are vulnerable to experiencing gam-
bling problems due to associations with experiences of rac-
ism, and less likely to access specialist gambling treatment
[63]. Similar findings in Canada have been addressed by
conducting research with minority groups to develop cul-
turally sensitive outreach and programming. Research into
community-driven solutions [64] has informed other innova-
tive approaches such as YMCA Canada’s Youth Gambling
Awareness Program (YGAP) which includes a model for
youth-led initiatives in existing community groups. This
programme has been independently evaluated alongside a
theory of change which highlights recommendations for long
term impact [53]. Future strategies for selective prevention
initiatives for CYP may also draw upon strategies to reduce
gambling harm among adult populations such as the Chesh-
ire Criminal Justice Pilot Scheme which uses a screening
tool to identify gambling issues among arrestees and con-
nects individuals to intervention services. However, there
is a need for evaluative data on the impact of this approach
across GB.
Our review revealed a lack of treatment services for
CYP in some parts of GB, and where treatment ser-
vices are available, the expansion of approaches from
adult gambling reduction interventions to CYP may fail
to cater for CYP’s specific developmental needs. For
example, whilst the NHS National Gambling Clinic in
England provides treatment for individuals aged 13+, our
review found no evidence that practitioners are trained to
address the unique vulnerabilities of CYP to gambling-
related harms such as brain maturity [15, 16] and impul-
sivity [65–67] at different developmental stages. Further-
more, where CYP use services designed for adults their
engagement is less effective. Data from GamCare cli-
ents using the National Gambling Helpline revealed that
younger clients tended to skip treatment post-assessment,
attend fewer sessions, and exhibit less improvement on
the PGSI compared to older clients [68]. Future research
on CYP’s poorer outcomes is needed as insights were
limited. Given CYP’s proficiency with digital technolo-
gies [9], investigating their preference for accessing gam-
bling treatment via online platforms is warranted. How-
ever, empirical evidence on varied intervention access
methods is lacking. Our findings corroborate previous
research indicating the absence of universally recognised
best practices for treating gambling problems in CYP,
with most treatments extrapolated from adult-oriented
approaches [69]. Notably, in GB the National Centre
for Gaming Disorders in London offers tailored treat-
ment pathways for parents of gamers, individuals aged
16 + and individuals under 16, complemented by parent
workshops and family therapy. The mean age of refer-
rals is 18.47 years, with most falling within the 13–18
age bracket (66.4%), and a further 21.1% in the 19–25
category [70].
Future Research
Future research should diversify intervention strategies.
Interventions must be relevant, engaging, and tailored to
young people’s perspectives, utilising interactive digital
modes of delivery to enhance engagement. Cross-discipli-
nary partnerships should be fostered, and youth and practi-
tioners should be actively involved in intervention design to
ensure their acceptability and relevance. Additionally, cul-
turally sensitive interventions should be developed by rec-
ognising specific gambling motivations and vulnerabilities
within different ethnic groups. A whole systems approach
is advocated, urging collaboration among stakeholders at
the local level to improve treatment accessibility and user-
friendliness. A broader range of evaluative methods should
be utilised to generate stronger evidence about the effective-
ness of interventions to reduce gambling related harm over
the long term [71]. Emphasising holistic approaches that
address environmental, social, and individual factors related
to gambling risk is essential for developing effective strate-
gies to mitigate gambling-related harm.
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 16 Page 16 of 19
Limitations
This grey literature faces several limitations. First, the
search was limited to English-language sources, potentially
overlooking relevant interventions in non-English speaking
regions. Future research should expand the scope to include
diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. Second, we searched
online, so could have missed smaller charities or businesses
without a web presence. Third, since different interpretations
exist about the definition of grey literature, systematic identi-
fication is not a straightforward task. Fourth, it is challenging
to determine intervention effectiveness due to lack of robust
evaluation and evidence of impact. Data regarding preventa-
tive services offered for CYP, their utilisation of treatment
services and the range of services offered are lacking. The
lack of longitudinal evaluative data impedes understanding
educational programmes’ effectiveness in influencing gam-
bling behaviour over time.
Conclusions
In summary, this scoping review reveals a range of practical
interventions designed to mitigate gambling-related harm
among children and young people (CYP). The key results
indicate that most identified interventions are educational
in nature, delivered through workshops, online courses, and
various digital resources. These interventions are provided
by a mix of national and regional organisations primarily in
GB, Canada, and Australia. Additionally, the review high-
lights that whole systems approaches which include cross-
disciplinary partnerships may pave the way for more inno-
vative interventions which are engaging and appropriate for
CYP. Despite these interventions, there is a notable gap in
robust evaluation data, making it challenging to assess their
long-term effectiveness and impact comprehensively.
Key References
• Monreal-Bartolomé A, Barceló-Soler A, García-
Campayo J, Bartolomé-Moreno C, Cortés-Montávez
P, Acon E, Huertes M, Lacasa V, Crespo S, Lloret-
Irles D, Sordo L. Preventive gambling programs for
adolescents and young adults: A systematic review.
International Journal of Environmental Research and
Public Health 2023;20:4691 https:// doi. org/ 10. 3390/
ijerp h2006 4691○ This recent review highlights vari-
ous preventive programs for adolescents and young
adults, offering insights into the latest strategies and
their effectiveness in mitigating gambling-related
harms.
• Derrington S, Star S, Kelly S. The case for uni-
form loot box regulation: A new classification typol-
ogy and reform agenda. Journal of Gambling Issues
2021;46:302–332. https:// doi. org/ 10. 4309/ jgi. 2021.
46. 15○ This reference discusses the regulatory
approaches to loot boxes in gaming, which is highly
relevant to understanding the intersection of gaming
and gambling and its impact on youth.
• Kristiansen S, Severin-Nielsen MK. Adolescent
gambling advertising awareness: A national survey.
International Journal of Social Welfare 2022:31:263–
273. https:// doi. org/ 10. 1111/ ijsw. 12501○ This
national survey examines the awareness and impact
of gambling advertisements on adolescents, provid-
ing valuable data on how marketing influences youth
gambling behaviours.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplemen-
tary material available at https:// doi. org/ 10. 1007/ s40429- 025- 00627-w .
Author Contributions KD is the lead author of the manuscript and
has spearheaded the research process, including the search for grey
literature and the analysis of identified reports and sources. KD has
also been responsible for shaping the content of the paper and finalising
all sections of the manuscript. KD has prepared Table2. KD worked
on locating all references and confirming the key references section.
KD has led the revisions work. CD, as the second main researcher
within the team, has worked closely with KD to conduct the search
and analysis of grey literature. CD has worked on reviewing the drafts
of the manuscript. EAC has overseen the grey literature search and
analysis and has played a crucial role in writing the methodology and
results sections. EB has supported the research team with the analysis
of literature and has contributed to the writing and finalisation of the
manuscript. EB has written abstract, parts of discussion, conclusions
and key references sections. EB has prepared Table1; Fig.1. EB has
formatted the paper and prepared for submission. CP, the head of the
research team, has led the overall research process, as well as the writ-
ing and submission of the manuscript. CP wrote the introduction sec-
tion. All authors reviewed the manuscript.
Funding Statement This work was funded by GambleAware.
GambleAware is a grant-making charity using best-practice in com-
missioning, including needs assessment, service-planning, evaluation,
and outcome-reporting to support effective, evidence-informed, qual-
ity-assured prevention of gambling harms. Guided by a public health
model, GambleAware commissions integrated prevention services on
a national scale and in partnership with expert organisations and agen-
cies, including the UK National Health Service, across three areas of
activity: universal promotion of a safer environment (primary); selec-
tive intervention for those who may be ‘at risk’ (secondary); and, direct
support for those directly affected by gambling disorder (tertiary). The
authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in this article,
which do not necessarily represent the views, decisions or policies of
the institutions with which they are affiliated.www.about.gambleaware.
org.
Data Availability No datasets were generated or analysed during the
current study.
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
Current Addiction Reports (2025) 12:16 Page 17 of 19 16
Declarations
Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent This article does not
contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any
of the authors.
Conflict of Interest The authors report there are no competing interests
to declare.
Competing Interests The authors declare no competing interests.
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attri-
bution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adapta-
tion, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long
as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source,
provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes
were made. The images or other third party material in this article are
included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated
otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in
the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not
permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will
need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a
copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
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