The UK's GamCare Association has reported that calls to its National Gambling Helpline rose to 44,049 calls and chats over the past year.
The year ended in March 2023. The results are the highest ever - they reached an all-time high. The total number of referrals (including calls, chats, and treatment sessions) for the year was 82,505. In terms of prevention, 64,374 people, including 45,562 children and young people at risk, received gambling education.
The number of people who received treatment for the year increased by 0.4% to 9,009. Treatment includes structured sessions and brief interventions and 38,456 treatment sessions were delivered.
Among those who sought help, 63% cited the pursuit of winning as the main reason for gambling, while 34% were avoiding reality and 31% linked their gambling to financial difficulties.In January this year, GamCare launched the Money Guidance Service, which provides financial counseling to people suffering from harmful gambling.
