GamCare Reports Rise in People Seeking Guidance on Gambling Losses

(AsiaGameHub) –   The UK-based charity reports that the number of people accessing its Money Guidance Service doubled in 2025.

UK.- A record high number of people are seeking guidance after experiencing gambling losses, according to new data published by safer gambling charity GamCare and debt support provider PayPlan. GamCare confirms that the number of users of its Money Guidance Service climbed 153 per cent in 2025, hitting a total of 1,954.

Meanwhile, PayPlan shared that January 2026 saw an all-time record demand for its services, with incoming contacts rising 22 per cent year-on-year to 21,000. Specialists at the organization have noted a growing connection between debt and gambling-related harm. A total of over £7.2m in combined debt was reported by users in 2025, averaging £21,269 per person. This marks a sharp increase from the £2.8m total reported in 2024.

In January 2026, GamCare recorded a new peak of 233 people seeking help for gambling-related losses, nearly three times the number of people seeking support in the same month one year prior. For the full year 2025, GamCare referred 243 people to PayPlan’s services, a 34 per cent increase from 181 referrals in 2024.

Emma Gibbons, Vulnerability Lead at PayPlan, said: “We are seeing first-hand how gambling-related harm is increasingly tied to debt. The rise in referrals from GamCare reflects the growing number of people who feel overwhelmed and uncertain where to turn after suffering losses.”

“We know early, compassionate debt advice can make a real difference, by helping people stabilise their finances, understand their available options, and start to regain control of their situation. We’re proud to work alongside GamCare to ensure everyone that needs support receives non-judgemental help.”

Kathy Wade, GamCare’s Money Guidance Service Manager, said: “We are concerned that many people tell us they are turning to gambling to help cover essential bills, as households continue to be squeezed by the cost-of-living crisis, but end up in a far worse financial position as a result. We recognise that many people gamble safely and do so to win money, but we would not encourage anyone to gamble with the specific goal of earning extra money to cover essential living costs.”

“Our team is available for anyone who may be unsure of the financial impact that gambling is having on them, whether it comes from their own gambling or someone else’s. Contact GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline today on 0808 8020 133 for more information on how you can get started with support, and we can help you get back on track.”

GamCare operates the UK’s National Gambling Helpline, a 24/7, 365-day-a-year helpline where anyone can receive free, confidential support for gambling harms. The organization launched the Money Guidance Service in 2022 to support people dealing with the financial impact of gambling harm, and the service is available for free to anyone calling the National Gambling Helpline.

As confirmed last week, the charity will be one of the main recipients of Gambling Levy funding distributed through the new Gambling Harms Prevention VCSE Fund.