GamCare reveals surge in gambling debts as referrals hit record levels – iGaming Expert
Summary
GamCare’s Money Guidance Service (MGS) reports a sharp rise in gambling-related debts and record referral numbers in 2025. Since January, referrals to MGS have reached 1,151 — already surpassing the 923 recorded in all of 2024 — and the service has recorded over £5.3m in gambling debts for the first eight months of the year. The average reported debt per person in 2025 is £4,682. August set a new monthly high with 198 referrals. GamCare warns of worrying trends including people gambling business funds and gambling to cover household bills, and calls for MGS data to help shape responses and the UK’s new statutory levy on problem gambling harms.
Key Points
- MGS referrals: 1,151 people referred since January 2025 vs 923 in all of 2024.
- Recorded debts: over £5.3m for Jan–Aug 2025; average debt £4,682 per person.
- August 2025 saw a record 198 referrals — the highest monthly figure since MGS launched.
- Demand intensified over the summer: June–August referrals more than doubled year-on-year.
- MGS (launched 2022) highlights risky behaviours: gambling business funds, gambling to pay bills, and young men chasing big wins or crypto gains.
- GamCare urges MGS findings to inform the new statutory levy on problem gambling (in force April 2025), overseen by NHS, OHID and UKRI.
- GamCare promotes its National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) for anyone concerned about gambling-related financial harm.
Context and relevance
This data arrives as the UK implements a statutory levy to fund research and treatment for gambling harms. The surging referrals and higher average debts suggest not only greater harm but also increased recognition of the need for help — useful intelligence for regulators, operators and treatment providers. For policymakers, the trend underscores the importance of targeted interventions and the use of service-level data (like MGS) to shape funding and preventative measures. For operators, it highlights where player-protection measures may be failing, particularly around affordability checks and monitoring of risky payment behaviours.
Why should I read this?
Quick and blunt: this story flags that gambling-related debt is spiking and more people are finally asking for help — fast. If you work in regulation, operator compliance, player protection or treatment services, these numbers matter. They point to where pressure is building (bills, business funds, cryptocurrency chasing) and why the new levy and data-driven responses aren’t just bureaucratic — they’re urgently needed. Read it so you’re not the one surprised next quarter.
