Calls to the UK’s National Gambling Helpline are resulting in a significantly higher number of referrals into treatment and support services.
In January 2026, the helpline made 996 referrals to treatment and peer-based support programmes, up 48 % year-on-year from 674 in January 2025, highlighting growing engagement with structured help pathways.
When peer-based services such as the Money Guidance Service and Way Forward are excluded, direct referrals into formal treatment rose to 742, compared with 603 a year earlier one of the strongest January totals seen in recent years. Only three months in the past five years recorded higher referral figures, indicating a broader upward trend in helpline-to-treatment conversion.
GamCare’s chief executive, Victoria Corbishley, said the increase reflects more people affected by gambling harms choosing to seek professional support, as well as improved processes that help callers transition from initial contact to structured treatment more quickly. The helpline operates 24/7 and remains the most common route into gambling-harm treatment services across Great Britain.
The surge in referrals suggests heightened awareness of support options and reduced stigma around seeking help, with multiple support channels including phone and online live chat helping individuals access appropriate care. Authorities and charities alike view these developments as an important aspect of responsible gambling frameworks in the UK.
