In 2019, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPGS) launched the Community Level Health Project (CLHP) to address gambling-related concerns within the casino-host community of Springfield, Massachusetts. The purpose of the CLHP was to implement a community-level plan that would identify and address a specific gambling-related health concern and outline improvement initiatives to be carried out at the community level. Through an extensive process of research and community engagement, results from the Planning Year Report from the Springfield CLHP demonstrated youth behavioral health as a priority issue within the Greater Springfield community.  As a result, the Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition was formed. Multiple prevention strategies were identified and developed to safeguard and bring awareness to youth mental health as part of the coalition. Through the coalition, more than 1,200 Springfield residents, behavioral health professionals, students, and families were educated and engaged through training opportunities and community events. The Youth Leaders in Problem Gambling Prevention builds off the lesson learned and the Springfield Community Level Health Project.

Results from the 2021 Massachusetts Youth Health Survey estimate that 43.7% of middle school students and 42.4% of high school students have engaged in some form of gambling within the past year.   This includes playing lottery or scratch tickets, gambling at a casino, participating in fantasy sports, and other forms of gambling. With the continued expansion of gambling opportunities in Massachusetts, particularly mobile sports betting, there are concerns and evidence of gambling related public health impacts, particularly for young people. Research demonstrates specific populations may be at higher risk for problem gambling, especially youth who begin gambling early in life (Volberg, Williams, Stanek, Houpt, & Rodriguez‐Monguio, 2015). Therefore, comprehensive prevention efforts and strategies are key to addressing the current challenges facing youth and at-risk populations to mitigate harm associated with gambling.  The Youth Leaders in Problem Gambling Prevention aims to reduce the incidence, prevalence, and risk of problem gambling among youth. 

The purpose of this project is to empower youth to lead and develop problem gambling prevention, advocacy, and community strategies to raise awareness of the risk of gambling and associated issues throughout the Commonwealth. The project utilizes a peer-to-peer model that provides youth with the skills and knowledge to become change agents who are committed to raising awareness of and preventing underage gambling. The project also provides youth with academic resources, skills, mentorship, and support to expand and enhance their educational and career options.  The program supports their pursuit of academic success, a key protective factor for youth.

This is done through community-based organizations that develop and implement a youth program that empowers young people to lead and develop problem gambling prevention, advocacy, and community strategies to raise awareness of problem gambling and related health issues. With the continued expansion of gambling opportunities in Massachusetts, it is imperative to educate and raise awareness among youth of the risks associated with gambling. By identifying and amplifying protective factors at all levels of the Socio-Ecological Model, youth will utilize the peer-to-peer framework to become agents of change. Potential risk factors for developing a problem with gambling may include low educational attainment and low socioeconomic status; therefore, the project provides youth with resources to support them through the academic process.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling Services currently funds  The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts in Springfield, the Latino Education Institute at Worcester State University in Worcester and the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center in Boston to implement the Youth Leaders in Problem Gambling Prevention Project.