GamCare Release Annual Report 2022-23

October 20, 2023 | Responsible gaming

The number of calls and online chats to our National Gambling Helpline last year reached the highest level on record.

UK (October 18, 2023) — Today we publish our 2022-23 Annual Report which highlights that over 44,000 calls and online chats were made across the year, a 4.7% increase compared to the year before.

In the year we marked 25 years of gambling support, we launched a series of new digital products and services to help increase online support for people struggling with gambling harms.

Our new MyGamCare platform was announced in February 2023, an interactive platform providing a range of self-help resources for those struggling with gambling. New WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger channels were also introduced on our Helpline to increase the level of choice for people seeking support.

As the cost-of-living crisis deepened throughout the year, we launched our new Money Guidance Service to help those who have been financially impacted by gambling, offering one-to-one budgeting and other support to help people get their finances back on track from gambling activities.

Key findings from our Helpline and Treatment services in the last year show:

Calls and online chats to the National Gambling Helpline reached 44,049 – up from 42,070 – and the highest volume recorded since the service started. This is an increase of 4.7% on 2021/22.
9,009 people attended structured treatment sessions or EBIs (Extended Brief Interventions), with 38,456 treatment sessions undertaken in total.
The majority of those in treatment reported as White (86%), while 7% reported as Asian and Asian British, a slight increase on the previous year.
7 in 10 people contacting the National Gambling Helpline identified as men (68%), whereas 30% identified as women. 2% identified as ‘transgender or other gender’.
Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) using treatment services were doing so for their own gambling, with 13% accessing services due to somebody else’s gambling.
Of those who reported that gambling had impacted them, the most common impact was Anxiety/Stress (80%), followed by Financial Difficulties (72%), Depression/Low Mood (62%) and Family/Relationship Difficulties (54%).

Education and outreach

In addition to our helpline and treatment services, we also built on our wider education and outreach services.

Our training has been delivered to over 15,000 adults, and awareness workshops reached 45,562 young people (up 60% on last year).

Our work within the criminal justice system and our Women’s Programme collectively helped train over 7,430 professionals, many of whom will now be able to direct more people into support services.

Margot Daly, Chair of Trustees:

“In the year that GamCare reached 25 years as an organisation, it is heartening to see so much work being done to support people through gambling harms. We’ve taken significant steps towards putting gambling harms treatment and support on the map and encouraging more people to come forward for help.”

“Looking forward, our focus remains on reducing barriers to accessing support and delivering the high-quality services that can change people’s lives.”

“We look forward to building further our impact in the year ahead and continuing the important work that the third-sector delivers towards reducing gambling harms in Great Britain.”