Football Index, the UK-regulated gambling platform and the world’s first football stock-market has donated its shirt sponsorship for QPR as well as Nottingham Forest.

The R’s will be wearing special edition shirts for our game this Saturday while Nottingham Forest will be sporting the shirts on Tuesday, 24th November, to promote the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM), the national charity which aims to raise awareness of the potential risks and harms associated with gambling.

As part of the nationwide Safer Gambling Week campaign, QPR and Forest will carry the logo of the YGAM on the front of their shirts to promote the charity, which provides educational training and resources to help prevent gambling-related harm among young and vulnerable people.

Football Index, the principal shirt sponsor for both clubs this season, is hoping this will help trigger a conversation about safer gambling and help the YGAM reach more football fans. Committed to providing a safe environment and to raising awareness about gambling-related harm, Football Index will also be supporting the YGAM’s work with a £5,000 donation.

This follows Football Index’s earlier initiative this year, which saw it launch a new Gambling Awareness Initiative with Nottingham Forest Football Club, highlighting the importance of safer gambling and helping to educate football supporters within local communities.

QPR host Watford at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this weekend, whilst Nottingham Forest are away at Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Mike Bohan, Co-Founder of Football Index, said: “We are delighted to support YGAM and promote Safer Gambling Week this year.

“At Football Index, we have always made safer gambling one of our utmost priorities, and we are incredibly pleased to be able to support YGAM’s important work to educate future generations and prevent harm.

“We hope that this initiative will increase awareness and prove an important step towards ensuring young people have the information and knowledge to make informed decisions about gambling.”

Euan Inglis, Commercial Director at QPR, said: “In all of our activation discussions with Football Index, responsible gambling messaging is always at the forefront of content that is produced.

“The donation by Football Index of our front of shirt property to YGAM to help promote Safer Gambling Week is an initiative that we as a football club fully get behind and are delighted to support.”

David Cook, Chief Commercial Officer at Nottingham Forest, said: “This builds on last year’s activities, we are once again very supportive of Football Index’s desire to highlight and promote the safer gaming message, in particular through this promotion of the YGAM charity.

“It’s great to work with a brand that takes responsibility in how they work, and who always look to stress the importance of responsible gaming for the wider fan base.”

Daniel Bliss, Director of External Affairs at YGAM, said: “We’re enormously grateful to both clubs and Football Index for their fantastic support. It is vital that we educate our future generations about the potential risks associated with gambling so we can collectively help prevent harm.

“This weekend will provide an important opportunity to raise the profile of the charity and help us support parents, teachers and young people across all communities.”

Anne Evans, Co-founder of YGAM, whose son tragically committed suicide in 2010 after suffering from gambling addiction, also commented: “As a life-long Nottingham Forest fan, this is a special moment for me personally.

“I started the charity to make sure other mothers and families do not have to experience the hurt that I did.

“Education is essential if we are to safeguard our children and young people from the risks. I’m hoping the profile of these two great clubs, alongside Football Index’s support, will help us reach more communities, families and young people.”