PSHE workshop educates Year 10 about the harms of gambling

Our Year 10 students have benefited from ‘Gambling Harm Prevention Workshops’ as part of our PSHE programme, where we deliver age appropriate information to different year groups. To enable students to engage and ask questions, the sessions have been delivered in small class groups instead of an assembly.

These thought-provoking workshops have been delivered by Education & Training Leads from Big Deal who regularly work with schools to help educate young people about the harms of gambling.

Whilst many adults might like the occasional flutter, such as the National Lottery or on the Grand National – gambling can be additive and lead to more serious problems if people find themselves in debt or unable to pay back their losses.

Our students learnt about the different types of gambling, what makes it appealing and how the gambling industry can appeal to young people. Although it is illegal to gamble until you are 18, it is concerning that 12% of 11-16 year olds already follow gambling firms on social media.

Through the growth of technology and online gaming with smartphone and consoles, gambling firms are always seeking out new ways to adapt and make money from different audiences, especially as with restrictions on advertising to under 18’s. There is a growing trend of in-game gambling through Esports platforms, skins betting and freemium apps.

Students learnt how gambling can affect their mental health and the impact it can have on others such as parents, family, friends or work colleagues. It is not just the person gambling that is affected as a survey in 2022 found that 28% of young people had seen family members they live with gamble, where 7% said it had resulted in arguments or tension at home.