Is problem gambling affecting your finances or wellbeing?

Free, confidential support is available.

Gambling-related harm is a growing concern across the UK, affecting not just finances but also relationships and wellbeing. If it’s something that’s touching your life in any way, free and confidential support is available.

Recent figures from GamCare, the UK’s leading provider of free gambling support services, show record demand for help. The National Gambling Helpline received more than 130,000 calls and online messages in the last reporting year, while referrals into structured treatment services continue to rise, according to GamCare data.

Online gambling is one of the areas of growing concern. Around 73% of people contacting the helpline reported struggles linked to online gambling, with online slot games and high-risk financial or crypto trading platforms among the fastest-growing issues, according to a GamCare report published in 2023. Major sporting events are also contributing to increased betting activity, with research suggesting that 68% of gamblers expect to bet more during busy sporting calendars, according to Nationwide and GamCare awareness research carried out in 2026. 

The financial impact of problem gambling can be significant. GamCare’s Money Guidance Service reported more than £7.2 million in collective gambling-related debt during 2025. This marked a 153% increase compared with the previous year, with average debts exceeding £21,000 per person, according to joint financial support data released by GamCare and PayPlan in March 2026. Some people have shared that they turned to gambling hoping to cover essential household bills, only to find themselves in greater financial difficulty as a result.

Gambling can also affect more than finances. It can place strain on relationships, family life, mental wellbeing and work. Some signs that gambling may be having an impact can include borrowing money more regularly, changes in mood, disrupted sleep or a feeling of difficulty stepping back from it.

If you are concerned about your own gambling or someone else’s, free and confidential support is available around the clock. GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline can be reached on 0808 8020 133 at any time of day. The charity supports not only those directly affected, but also family members, friends and loved ones. Practical guidance on managing gambling-related debt is also available through GamCare’s Money Guidance Service.

There are also tools designed to help people manage their gambling, including transaction blocks offered by many banks and building societies, and self-exclusion services such as GAMSTOP and Gamban. Further information is available through GamCare’s safer gambling guidance published in 2026.

Free, expert and non-judgemental support is there for anyone who needs it.

Need support? GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day. Call 0808 8020 133 or visit gamcare.org.uk