Young People and Gambling
Young People and Gambling
Education and early support for young people to reduce harm before it starts
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Here To Help
Gambling doesn’t always look like slot machines or betting shops. For young people, it might show up as loot boxes in games, scratch cards, online casinos, or even bets with friends. However it appears, the risks are real.
Recent research shows that more young people in the UK are gambling than smoking or drinking. That’s why we deliver interactive sessions that open up conversations, challenge myths, and build awareness early on.
Aquarius helped my family
"Aquarius helped my family understand what I was going through mentally and physically. If you need help, you should always consider it as an option, as it really helps you to understand what you are actually doing to yourself and also helps your family understand."
Anonymous, Service User
They saved my life
"They saved my life, I wouldn’t be 2 years clean if it wasn’t for them, I’ve never really had a family but Aqaurius have all become my family."
Kai, Service User
Helped me see the correct path
"Aquarius has helped me see the correct path to the end goal of quitting. I would recommend the services as the system is far from conservative, the advice is tailored exactly to how you'd personally quit. They build onwards from this."
Preston, Service User
Very good clear presentation.
"There was a good variety of attendees from different backgrounds. The information on dependency & how brain is affected in teenage years was especially good. Very good clear presentation."
Anonymous, Service User
Knowledge shined through
"The trainers knowledge shined through and they effortlessly answered questions, speaking from their professional experience, discussing historic precedents but also new research."
Anonymous, Service User
What we offer
We currently offer two sessions, 60-minute or a 90-minute workshops for young people across Birmingham, East and West Midlands. These group sessions are designed to be engaging, non-judgemental, and accessible, focusing on how gambling works, how harm happens, and what to do if you’re worried about yourself or someone else.
We also offer training for professionals working in schools, youth settings, or health and care roles. These sessions give you the tools and confidence to talk about gambling, understand risk behaviours, and support young people more effectively.
In 2024/2025, we saw over 82% of clients in the Gambling team after a referral was made. Of those 50% successfully completed their treatment.
We cover:
How gambling works and why it’s designed to keep you playing
What gambling harm can look like in young people
Links between gambling and other behaviours
Strategies to reduce risk and protect wellbeing
How to get support
Why it matters
The earlier we talk about gambling, the easier it is to reduce harm. Our work empowers young people to make informed choices, and equips professionals to spot issues before they escalate. It’s about building resilience, not fear, and creating space where people can ask questions and find support.
Get In Touch
We provide services across Birmingham and the wider East and West Midlands.
To book a workshop or training session, email: gambling@aquarius.org.uk