When: April 7th, 2026 1pm - 2pm AST
What: YGAP Webinar: Lucky Scoops, Blind Boxes, & the New Face of Youth Gambling
Cost: FREE!
Who: YGAP (Youth Gambling Awareness Program)
How: Register Here
About:
New trends like lucky scoops and blind boxes are becoming increasingly popular among young people. While they may be experienced as entertainment or a hobby for collectors, many of these activities share important similarities with gambling, such as paying for uncertain outcomes, chasing rare items, and experiencing the excitement of chance-based rewards.
Valuation apps and digital marketplaces add another dimension to these trends by allowing users to track item values and buy or resell collectibles, which can shift the focus toward monetary value and encourage continued purchases in hopes of obtaining rare or higher-value items.
In this webinar, we will examine the blind box trend, which is expanding across a wide range of products, from toys and trading cards to grocery items, explore the rise of surprise-based purchases, the influence of online communities and resale markets, and highlight the associated risks.
This session will provide practical insights for educators, parents, and youth-serving professionals on how to recognize these trends, have meaningful conversations with young people, and support safer engagement with chance-based entertainment. Register Here
When: May 1st, 2026 2pm AST
What: NCPG Webinar: Ask Me Anything: A Parent’s Perspective on Navigating a Child’s Gambling Addiction
Cost: FREE!
Who: NCPG (National Council on Problem Gambling - USA)
How: Register Here
About:
Join Kim Freudenberg, the mother of a young person impacted by gambling addiction, for an open conversation about what it means to support a child through gambling-related harm. Drawing from her lived experience, Kim will share insights into the emotional, financial, and relational impacts gambling addiction can have on parents and caregivers.
This interactive Ask Me Anything session will explore the realities of recognizing harm, navigating treatment and recovery systems, advocating for appropriate care, and seeking support as a loved one, with attendees encouraged to bring questions and engage in a candid dialogue centered on the parent experience.
About the presenter: Kim Freudenberg
Kim is President of Parents Standing Together and a high school science educator. After discovering that her son experienced gambling-related harm beginning at age 11, she committed to learning about gambling disorder and how it impacts families.
In 2025, Kim organized a small support group for parents that grew into Parents Standing Together, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about youth gambling and supporting affected families. She has completed coursework toward the International Gambling Recovery Specialist certification and is currently accruing hours toward full certification. She is committed to education, connection, and prevention to protect young people.