GamCare reveals that their hotline has helped over 55,000 contacts throughout 2023 and 2024.
The online gambling industry has shown that all areas are taken equally seriously, whether it’s the quality of the games or the assistance of struggling players .
In the last couple of years, there has been an increased focus on problem gambling prevention and help . Organisations such as GamCare provide information, assistance and programs to help with the recovery of gambling addiction and the prevention of developing one in the first place.
For GamCare, the 2023–2024 period can be considered rather successful as outreach rapidly grew.
A growing demand for gambling harm prevention
The charity’s annual report indicated a 25% rise in calls and online chats with its National Gambling Helpline, revealing a total of 55,228 contacts throughout the year, which shows a big increase.
While this can be seen as a good thing, it also clearly highlights the growing demand for gambling harm prevention and treatment services . This is all while there is a broader discussion of the reforms outlined in the government’s white paper on regulating online gambling.
According to the report and feedback from GamCare, supportive intervention was possible for about 41,070 interactions , which is 74% of the total. These contacts received guidance, advice, and referrals for structured treatment programs, as well as help with self-exclusion from online casinos .
GamCare also reported giving 9,100 treatment sessions free of charge throughout the year. The average referral to treatment waiting time is around 2 days.
Deserved recognition
GamCare’s services and efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities recognised the helpline’s role , stating that 57% of the individuals receiving treatment were referred via the GamCare services .
Aside from its helpline operation, GamCare has also made a lot of efforts to increase its prevention efforts. They had targeted programs that offered training to around 10,344 professionals and also made it possible to deliver education to 53,324 children, parents, and young ones.
Executive Chair of GamCare , Margot Daly, says that while it has been a challenging year with heightened demand for services, the GamCare staff did the job of preventing harm where possible and treating harm where necessary .
These findings are from the December Survey from GamCare, which showed increased gambling activity in UK online casinos throughout the festive season. According to the results, about 59% of the respondents with gambling problems reported a bigger chance of playing throughout the holidays . This is up 37% from the previous year.
The helpline also saw their demand rise by 39% throughout December , making it the busiest Christmas to date.
The 2025 vision
As a leading organisation providing help to people regarding gambling-related harm , GamCare is prepped and ready for the new year with a range of plans and expectations in place.
GamCare will be expanding its helpline and chat services to offer more comprehensive support to individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
They will also focus more on their educational programs , which raise awareness about gambling risks and teach gamblers how to play responsibly . Other focus points include doing more research to continue increasing their understanding of gambling addiction to provide better treatment.
Furthermore, GamCare will strengthen its partnerships with other organisations , including charities, others in the gambling industry, and healthcare providers, to create an even more integrated support network.
In 2025, GamCare will continue to advocate for stronger gambling regulations and policies that protect the vulnerable and promote responsible gambling.