Scouts launch badge partnership with Ygam

Scouting has announced a unique partnership with Ygam which aims to equip young people with the tools and knowledge needed to make informed choices and help prevent gaming and gambling harms.

Ygam are sponsoring the Sports Enthusiast Badge aimed at 10-to-14-year-olds. The partnership has enabled the Scouts to redesign key elements of the badge curriculum by providing three bespoke resources that support the activities needed to achieve the badge.

Targeted at young people with a passion for sport, these activities focus on the relationship between sports, gaming, and gambling. By completing these activities, young people will increase their understanding of the potential risks associated and be more aware of the impact of gaming and gambling harms on their mental health and wellbeing.

The latest research from the Gambling Commission revealed that 40% of 11- to 17-year-olds have had some experience of gambling over the last 12 months, with 1 in 4 spending their own money on gambling in the past 12 months. Additionally, 15% follow a gambling operator on social media.

The resources also include education on gambling-like mechanisms within videogames and the importance of establishing a healthy balance. In the UK, 91% of children aged 3 to 15 play video games on some type of digital device. Furthermore, 34% of young people aged 11 to 17 have paid for in-game items with their own money or virtual currency in the past 12 months, and 49% of children believe that online games are only fun when money is spent.
Each week over 400,000 young people and 100,000 adult volunteers take part in Scouting projects and activities at the heart of the UK’s communities.

Dr. Jane Rigbye, Chief Executive Officer at Ygam, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the Scouts, recognised globally for its programmes and activities aimed at the development of young people. Our organisations share many values and objectives, and it’s great to launch these new badge requirements ahead of the summer holidays when we know children will typically be spending more time online. We’re excited about the impact we can achieve through this partnership, as a large and diverse youth network will gain access to our award-winning educational materials.”

Ray Newman-Smith, Lead Volunteer – 1st Willingdon Scout Troop, said: “The thing that struck me the most during and more so at the end of the session was how recognisable advertising brands were to the Scouts from brands that sponsor sporting events. I was surprized that nearly all of my scouts knew most of the sports betting companies which a worry is considering the Scouts age range is from 10.5 years to 14.5 years!”