PRoGRAM-A (PReventing Gambling RelAted Harm in Adolescents): a pilot cluster randomised control trial to prevent gambling harm in young people

PRoGRAM-A is peer-led, social network intervention to protect young people, their friends and family members from gambling related harm.

Summary (Research in a nutshell)

Young people often spend their free time online, where they are more likely to see online gambling marketing, which may encourage them to gamble.

In the UK, the 2024 Young People and Gambling Survey reported that 27% of 11–17-year-olds had spent their own money on gambling activity in the last 12 months, compared with 15% who reported vaping, 8% who reported smoking and 7% who reported using illegal drugs. Alcohol consumption remained the highest at 37%.

A group of 10 people standing together in a room
PRoGRAM-A team photo with 10 team members, May 2025

Gambling in young people is concerning because research shows that gambling at a younger age can increase the risk of future gambling harm. The 2024 Young People and Gambling Survey has further shown an increase in the number of young people experiencing problem gambling. This survey also found that 1.5% of young people experienced problem gambling, increasing from 0.7% in 2023.  Problem gambling can lead to stress and anxiety, relationship breakdown, debt, and the loss of current and future opportunities.

We want to protect young people from future gambling harm. We plan to do this by helping them understand what gambling is, recognise the many forms that gambling can take, and understand the potential harm it can cause. 

We have developed a secondary school programme called PRoGRAM-A (Preventing Gambling Related Harm in Adolescents). In 2022, we received funding from NIHR to conduct a pilot cluster randomised control trial (NIHR150838). Six schools enrolled into the trial, with four being randomly picked to receive PRoGRAM-A. The remaining two acted as a control, continuing with their usual activities. Alongside this, we explored how the program worked in real life settings, and assessed how cost effective it was to deliver. The aim of this study was to test the delivery of PRoGRAM-A and to decide whether further investment should be made to conduct a bigger study, which would look at how effective this programme is and what it will cost.

We found that PRoGRAM-A was delivered with a high degree of fidelity (95%) to the training manual. It was also found to be both feasible and acceptable to students, staff and parents. It was appealing to schools as it allowed teachers to address the topic of gambling, which had already been flagged as an issue for some of the schools, but they lacked the skill and capacity to take action. Peer Supporters enjoyed the interactive nature of the training workshop. Parents and carers were supportive of the intervention and stakeholders recognised the growing need for a non-industry funded school-based intervention to raise awareness among students of gambling and gambling-related harm (GRH). Our findings support progression to a full scale phase III trial. The team have submitted an application to NIHR to undertake a phase III trial across the UK. 

Key People

NameRole
Fiona DobbiePrincipal Investigator, University of Edinburgh
Martine MillerResearch Fellow, University of Edinburgh
Angela NivenProject Manager, University of Edinburgh
Leon NobleResearch Assistant, University of Edinburgh
Christopher WeirCo-Investigator, University of Edinburgh
James WhiteCo-Investigator, University of Cardiff
Andy StoddartCo-Investigator, University of Edinburgh
Heather WardleCo-Investigator, University of Glasgow
Dave GriffithsCo-Investigator, University of Stirling
Richard PurvesResearch Fellow, University of Stirling
Conor MaxwellCo-Investigator, Larkhall Universal Connections
Hannah EnsorStatistician, University of Edinburgh
Christopher WhiteData Manager, University of Edinburgh


Contact details

Key Outputs

PRoGRAM-A Study Webinar | 27 March 2025

Study lead Dr Fiona Dobbie and colleagues discussed:
  • Key findings from one of the first evidence based and independently funded research studies, by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR), to prevent gambling-related harm in adolescence
  • Future directions for PRoGRAM-A and how to get involved and support us
  • Key learning for future studies considering using peer education and/or social network approaches

Publications

Dobbie, F., Miller, M., Wardle, H. et al. Protocol for a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of PRoGRAM-A (preventing gambling-related harm in adolescents): a secondary school-based social network intervention. Pilot Feasibility Stud 10, 109 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-024-01537-w

Key Collaborations

  • Evidence to Impact - Sally Good, Paul Harrod, Ashley Lee
  • Fast Forward – Francesca Howard

Partners

  • University of Glasgow
  • University of Stirling
  • Cardiff University

Funder

NIHR Public Health Research

Timeline

Start date: March 2023 

End date: August 2024 (extended to November 2024)

Scientific themes (keywords)

Gambling harm, adolescents, social norms, diffusion theory

Methodology keywords

Cluster randomised control trial (cRCT), process evaluation, health economics analysis, social network analysis, pilot study, qualitative, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, fieldwork, PPI, baseline & follow up surveys, intervention, peer supporters

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