GamCare says year-to-date support seekers surpass 2024 totals
Summary
GamCare reports that registrations to its Money Guidance Service reached 1,151 people in the first eight months of 2025 — already above the 923 people who sought help during the whole of 2024. Claimant-reported debts since January average £4,682 per person, with total reported debts topping £5.3m in 2025 so far, nearly double 2024’s ~£2.8m figure.
June, July and August 2025 each saw referrals double (or more) versus the same months in 2024, and August recorded the highest monthly referral total on record at 198. GamCare highlights concerns about young men chasing big wins (including via cryptocurrency investing), people gambling business funds and individuals using gambling to try to cover essential bills. Since early 2024 the service has also helped identify over £60,000 in unclaimed benefits for clients.
The Money Guidance Service — launched in 2022 and free through the National Gambling Helpline — provides tailored support on the financial impacts of gambling harm.
Key Points
- 1,151 people registered with GamCare’s Money Guidance Service in the first eight months of 2025 — exceeding all of 2024 (923).
- Average debt reported per entrant is £4,682; total reported debts exceed £5.3m in 2025 so far.
- 2025’s total debt figure is almost double 2024’s total (~£2.8m).
- June–August 2025 saw referrals double year-on-year; August recorded a record 198 referrals.
- GamCare is worried about people gambling business funds and those gambling to try to pay essential household bills.
- The Money Guidance Service has identified over £60,000 in unclaimed benefits for clients since early 2024.
Content summary
The article summarises new data from GamCare showing a marked rise in people seeking financial help for gambling-related harms in 2025. It gives figures for registrations, average and total debts, and highlights monthly referral surges. It includes commentary from Kathy Wade (money guidance service manager) about the behaviours driving financial harm, and flags specific concerns such as business-fund gambling and attempts to use gambling to meet essential costs. The piece also notes the Money Guidance Service’s role in identifying unclaimed benefits and its free availability via the National Gambling Helpline.
Context and relevance
This is an important indicator of rising financial harm linked to gambling amid broader cost-of-living pressures and growing interest in high-risk investments (eg, crypto). For regulators, operators, treatment providers and financial support services the data point to escalating demand for debt and gambling-harm support and potential need for targeted interventions (young men, business-fund misuse, benefits outreach).
Author note
Style: Punchy — this story matters. The numbers show a real increase in financial harm and should prompt attention from industry and support services.
Why should I read this?
Heads up — more people are asking for help and their debts are getting bigger. If you work in iGaming, regulation, debt advice or public health, this is relevant. We read the detail so you don’t have to: rising referrals, record months and worrying behaviours mean this isn’t just another stat.
Source
Source: https://next.io/news/people/gamcare-support-seekers-surpass-2024-totals/
