Rising Demand for Support: GamCare's Record Year

GamCare, the well-established support network for those affected by gambling issues, has reported a remarkable surge in calls and online chats to its National Gambling Helpline for the year ending on March 31, 2023. This year has seen a record 44,049 individuals reaching out for assistance, a 4.7% increase in targeted calls and chats compared to the previous year. In total, GamCare provided support through 82,505 calls, chats, and treatment sessions over the year. Prevention efforts were also substantial, with 64,374 individuals receiving training in gambling awareness, including 45,562 at-risk children and young people.

For those in need of more extensive support, the number of people attending treatment sessions during the year increased by 0.4% year-on-year, totaling 9,009 individuals. These treatments encompass structured sessions and Extended Brief Interventions, amounting to 38,456 sessions in total.

Margaret Daly, GamCare’s chair of trustees, expressed her satisfaction with the organization's progress: "In the year that GamCare reached 25 years as an organization, 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."

GamCare's focus remains on reducing barriers to accessing support and delivering high-quality services that can change lives.

The report also provides insight into the reasons individuals accessed the helpline or took part in treatment within the 12-month period. Among them, 63% identified chasing losses and/or wins as their primary motivation for gambling. Additionally, 34% cited escapism, and 31% attributed their gambling to financial difficulties.

In January of this year, GamCare introduced its Money Guidance Service, designed to offer financial advice to those struggling with harmful gambling.

The annual report highlights that 87.3% of helpline users were gamblers, while 12.7% were affected by others' gambling. The majority of helpline users were male, making up 68%, with females accounting for 30%. In October 2022, GamCare launched an online support group for women impacted by gambling, with 2% identifying as transgender or other genders.

In terms of age groups, individuals aged 26-35 made up the highest proportion of helpline users at 41.7%, followed by the 36-45 age group at 22.9%. Those aged 25 and under accounted for 15.4% of all helpline contacts.

GamCare's financial results for the 12-month period ending on March 31 reveal a robust financial foundation for the organization. Total income amounted to £7.4 million in donations, marking a 15.7% increase from the previous year. Charitable activities contributed £12.5 million to the income, reflecting a significant rise of 35.0%, while investment income surged by £33,422 to reach £35,072.

The income from total funds for 2022-23 reached £20.1 million, indicating an impressive increase of 27.3%. Total expenditure for the year amounted to £18.2 million, resulting in a net income of £1.8 million.

Following the end of GamCare's financial year, CEO Anna Hemmings departed after five years with the charity. Margaret Daly stated that the new CEO would join the company "at the right moment to build on GamCare's strengths and success to date."

In recent reports, GamCare has also noted that three out of every five online gamblers seeking harmful gambling support have cited online slots as a source of concern.