UK charity GamCare's latest data shows that in 2025, a total of 1,954 people sought its financial guidance services due to gambling losses, more than double the 923 people in 2023. The total debt reported through these services reached 7.2 million pounds, nearly tripling from the previous year, with an average debt of 21,269 pounds per person. In January 2026 alone, 233 people were referred to the service, almost three times the number in the same period of 2025. Simply put, the higher the cost of living, the more people try to recoup through gambling, only to fall deeper into trouble.
Cost of Living Crisis: Trying to Pay Bills through Gambling Leads to More Trouble
GamCare's financial guidance service manager warns that people tell her they try to pay essential bills through gambling due to the cost of living crisis, only to end up in worse financial situations. She emphasizes that while many gamble safely and win, gambling with the purpose of earning extra to pay bills is not encouraged.
Debt and Gambling Addiction: Referrals to PayPlan Up by 34%
Debt service provider PayPlan reports that it received 21,000 contacts in January this year, a 22% increase year-on-year. The number of people directly referred from GamCare treatment services to PayPlan reached 243 people in 2025, up 34% from 181 people in 2024. The head of vulnerability at PayPlan notes that the increase in referrals reflects the growing number of people feeling overwhelmed and helpless after suffering losses. They are proud to work with GamCare to ensure unbiased support for everyone in need. Want to keep up with the latest developments in UK gambling addiction issues? Follow the PASA official website.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gambling industry news channel: https://t.me/pasa_news
Original deep gambling channel: https://t.me/gamblingdeep
Free data reports: @pasa_research
PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
