Compulsory curriculum

The United Kingdom’s Department for Education (DfE) has approved a new gambling curriculum for secondary schools that will educate teens on the risks of gambling and financial issues. UK Schools Minister Nick Gibb confirmed the new classes will begin in September 2021.

educate teens on the risks of gambling and financial issues

Secondary schools across the UK will offer the curriculum, as part of the Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education program. The program is overseen by the Department for Education and has been designed to assist teenage students as they enter adulthood.

Focus of PSHE

The focus of this new education program is to equip students with a solid understanding of the risks associated with adult matters.

As we reported in December, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) called for further education to fight underage gambling. At the same time, the PSHE Association announced its plan to issue new guidelines for schools in partnership with GambleAware.

The expanded program will now include lessons where teens can learn more about the risks associated with gambling. This announcement comes at a time when studies in the UK have shown that as many as 55,000 students are considered problem gamblers.

All types of gambling covered

In the UK, players have access to several gambling options, including fruit machines, scratch cards, and the National Lottery. With the PSHE gambling remit, teenagers will learn to identify the risks within these gambling sectors.

UK Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “I want to ensure every child understands the risks, which is why we are making health education—including issues such as addiction and cumulative debt—compulsory from September.”

The program will teach teens how to engage in gambling and learn about associated risks. Education efforts will include information on how to seek gambling addiction treatment. They will also learn more about how to help others including vulnerable customers from gambling-related harm.