A novel red long-lasting phosphor, (Y_1-xGd_x)₂O₃:Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺, Si⁴⁺, Mg²⁺, was synthesized by the co-precipitation method using oxalate precipitation as the precursor. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), integrated thermal analyzer (TG), and photoluminescence spectra (PL) as well as the ST-900PM weak light photometer were used to study the synthesis conditions, morphology, luminescence properties, and the decay time of the phosphor. The XRD results show that the products synthesized at 1400℃ for 4 h have good crystallization without any detectable impurity phases. Based on the PL spectra, the optimal conditions are as the following. The molar ratios of Y³⁺ to Gd³⁺ and Eu³⁺ to Sm³⁺ are 2:8 and 3:1, respectively, and the contents of Mg²⁺ and SiO₂ are 5mol% and 3mol%, respectively. The decay time monitored by the ST-900PM weak light photometer is 7200 s, increasing 44% and 100%, respectively, compared with the Eu³⁺ and Sm³⁺ single-doped phosphors. The results indicate that the energy transfer is from Sm³⁺ to Eu³⁺ ion, and Sm³⁺ is a good sensitizer to Eu³⁺.