Exclusive: Charity Commission launches regulatory compliance case into YGAM

The Charity Commission has opened a regulatory compliance case into the Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) over its link to the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), EGR has learned.

The opening of the case follows a complaint made to the commission, which regulates the conduct of registered charities in the UK.

In a letter seen by EGR, the Charity Commission said it had “identified some concerns that require regulatory engagement” and that it had opened a case to establish facts surrounding the matter.

“We have opened a regulatory compliance case to assess the matter and are currently engaging with the trustees. We cannot comment further at this time,” the reply read.

The Charity Commission will now seek to establish facts surrounding the complaint ahead of making a final decision on whether to launch a formal inquiry into the charity, although there is no evidence of wrongdoing at this time.

The Commission’s role as the regulator will focus on the governance and management aspects of the charity.

EGR understands the complaint focused on the payment of a £10m sum to fund the Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme administered by YGAM in collaboration with GamCare.

The programme focuses on children aged 11-19 and aims to help young people better understand the risks associated with gambling. The campaign is assessed independently and measured against key target objectives.

Under its agreement, the BGC provided funding to the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) for disbursement to the two charities.

YGAM is one of the principal recipients of funding from the BGC and is one of three charities included on the Gambling Commission’s approved gambling-related harm funding list.

Regulatory settlements paid by gambling operators following UKGC investigations are distributed to these charities.

In a statement, a BGC spokesperson said: “The BGC is proud to support the superb work being done by YGAM and GamCare through the Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme, which in its first year exceeded its targets for providing education for young people and training for those who work with them.”

A YGAM spokesperson said: “Our Board of Trustees have answered a query from the Charity Commission with full confidence and transparency. It has provided an opportunity to evidence our independence, governance controls and approach to evaluation.

“We are incredibly proud of our dedicated team and the work they do to deliver our award-winning resources through the Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme.”