GamCare flags rise in gambling issues linked to online play
The charity says the rate of contacts citing online gambling as a problem has reached the highest level in five years.
UK. The charity GamCare has raised concerns over the scale of online gambling problems being reported in the UK this year. It has reported that as of June, 81.5 per cent of those reaching out to the organisation and disclosing the type of gambling they struggle with identified online platforms as the source of harm. GamCare stressed that this figure demands urgent attention, particularly amid the surge in betting offers around the World Cup.
GamCare described the current 81.5 per cent figure as “the highest rate in five years,” though it noted the number comes from 3,053 contacts so far. For comparison, in 2021 the proportion was slightly higher at 82.6 per cent, but across a much larger pool of 7,258 contacts over the full year. The charity emphasised that a clearer picture will only emerge once data for the entirety of 2026 is available.
The charity also highlighted findings from a YouGov survey it commissioned earlier in the year, which polled 3,717 UK adults. Among respondents aged 18–34, 32 per cent who had bet during the 2024 Euros or the 2022 World Cup said they were now tempted to gamble again during major international competitions. Furthermore, 30 per cent of that age group reported moving on to higher‑risk gambling products, such as online casino games, after betting on global sporting events.
The figures come amid a series of surveys that raised concerns over illegal World Cup betting in the UK.
Victoria Corbishley, GamCare’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We typically see more requests for help and support during major sporting tournaments, and the World Cup could be particularly problematic for those struggling with online gambling. Many people who come to our services began by betting on sports before developing patterns of gambling that became harmful, and the data shows young adults could be particularly vulnerable this summer. We know how quickly this can impact mental health, finances and relationships, and we want people to know we are here to help.”
GamCare receives funding from the new British gambling levy and runs the free 24-hour National Gambling Helpline.
