Ygam partners on four UKRI-funded research studies

Ygam is a named partner on four projects that have secured funding through the UKRI Research Programme on Gambling, supported by the statutory levy.

Ygam is a named partner on four projects that have secured funding through the UKRI Research Programme on Gambling, supported by the statutory levy.

Through these projects, Ygam will collaborate with leading academics from the University of Birmingham, Bournemouth University, the University of Plymouth, Lancaster University, and Liverpool John Moores University to advance research and strengthen the evidence base on gambling harms.

The partnerships will generate valuable insights into how gambling-related harms emerge and affect young people, communities, and digital environments, helping to inform earlier intervention and more effective prevention strategies. Ygam’s advisory panels, including young people, individuals with lived experience, community and faith leaders, gaming and esports representatives, and student ambassadors, will help ensure that outcomes are informed by real-world experience and diverse community perspectives.

The projects form part of the Gambling Harms Research UK (GHR-UK) Evidence Centre, a major component of the Research Programme on Gambling. The programme is being delivered by UKRI, which has been appointed by the Government to oversee research commissioned through the new statutory Gambling Levy. Under the levy, 20% of annual funding will be allocated to research, equating to £22.1 million in 2025/26.

The programme comprises 19 Innovation Partnerships, each funded for one year and coordinated by the Gambling Harms Research UK Evidence Centre. These partnerships bring together universities, third-sector organisations, digital safety experts and lived experience partners, with the shared goal of generating research that directly informs policy, prevention and treatment.

Emily Tofield, Chief Executive of Ygam, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with leading university partners, contributing our expertise in a key strategic area of our work. A defining strength of our approach is that it is grounded in robust insight and research, underpinning everything we do. This enables us to understand how and why harms emerge and translate that into practical, preventative education that is credible and scalable. We look forward to achieving these outcomes together and informing effective measures to prevent harms among children and young people.”

Dr Janine Maddison, Research & Insight Manager at Ygam, said: “We’re delighted to be working with such a distinguished group of partners on these important Innovation Partnerships. What makes these collaborations so powerful is the people behind them – the youth voice, lived experiences and communities that are too often overlooked in research. Across all four projects, there is a shared ambition to strengthen the evidence base in areas that have been under-researched for too long, while better understanding how harms develop and, crucially, how it can be prevented earlier and more effectively.

By ensuring that children, young people and people with lived experience are involved throughout the research process, we can turn insight into action and action into practical prevention education that delivers real-world impact and lasting change.”

Dr Ameeta Retzer, at University of Birmingham, said: “We are delighted to be working with Ygam on this important research. Ygam has established itself as a respected and trusted voice in the field through its longstanding commitment to safeguarding, education and harm prevention. Their extensive experience and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing children and young people today bring valuable insight to this research.”

Dr Constantina Panourgia, at Bournemouth University, said: “Addressing complex societal challenges requires collaboration across research, practice, policy, and lived experience. Through this partnership with Ygam, we will develop a shared understanding of how gamified digital environments shape vulnerability and resilience among neurodivergent young people. Ygam’s expertise in engaging young people and translating evidence into practice makes them an invaluable partner in building the evidence base needed to inform future policy, practice, and early intervention.”

Dr James Close, Associate Professor in Medicine and Psychology at the University of Plymouth, said: “Ygam brings a unique combination of research-informed practice, extensive frontline experience, and a proven track record of engaging children and young people, as well as the parents, carers, educators and practitioners who support them across the UK. Their expertise will add significant value to this work, helping to ensure that our research is both academically robust and grounded in the realities faced by young people today.”

The four UKRI-funded projects

INTEGRATE: Intersectional Gambling Harm Research and Targeted Interventions for Emerging Adults

Partners: University of Birmingham, Ygam, Al-Hurraya and Community Connexions

INTEGRATE will examine how gambling-related harm affects children, young people, and emerging adults with overlapping identities and experiences. It will review existing interventions, work with community organisations across the UK, and produce recommendations on how to develop more inclusive and effective prevention and support.
From Evidence to Action: Safeguarding Neurodivergent Young People in Gamified Digital Environments

Partners: Bournemouth University, Ygam, Work’n’Diversity CIC

This project will explore the gambling-like risks neurodivergent young people may face in gamified digital environments. It will gather insight from young people, families and professionals, map key areas of risk and resilience, and bring partners together to agree priorities for future action. The project aims to strengthen the evidence base and improve prevention and support for this under-researched group.

GRASP: Gambling Related Harm: Systems for Prevention and Recovery

Partners: University of Plymouth, NatCen, Public Health Plymouth, Devon ICB, Primary Care Gambling Service, Gambling Harm UK, Ygam, BetKnowMore, Gordon Moody, ARA Recovery for All, GLEN

GRASP will examine how gambling harm emerges, develops and affects people’s lives. The partnership will map current support pathways, identify gaps in provision, and explore where prevention and recovery responses can be improved. It aims to inform more effective interventions and stronger support for those experiencing gambling-related harm.

GRACE-Net: Gambling Resilience and Community Engagement Network

Partners: Lancaster University, Liverpool John Moores University, Lancashire County Council, Liverpool City Council, Blackpool Council, NHS Greater Manchester Mental Health, NHS Lancashire & South Cumbria, Ygam, Empowerment Charity, Beacon Counselling Trust, Battling The Odds, RedCard

GRACE-Net will bring together research, public services and community organisations to strengthen gambling harm prevention, protection and recovery. Based in the North West of England, it will test collaborative approaches in one of the country’s highest-harm regions while sharing learning more widely. The network aims to serve as both a regional testbed and a national model for future action.