New GamCare & PayPlan Data Reveals a 22% Surge in 2026
New data from GamCare and PayPlan highlights a significant rise in gambling-related financial distress, with both support demand and average debt levels increasing sharply into 2026.
Record Demand for Debt Support Services
PayPlan reported 21,000 contacts in January 2026, representing a 22% year-on-year increase and the highest monthly level recorded by the organisation.
This surge in financial distress is mirrored in treatment pathways, with GamCare data showing a parallel shift from initial contact to structured support. As previously reported in GamCare Reports Surge in Gambling Treatment Referrals, referral volumes into treatment and peer-based programmes rose sharply, indicating that more users are progressing beyond early-stage help into formal recovery systems.
GamCare also saw a substantial rise in demand for financial support. Usage of its Money Guidance Service more than doubled in 2025, with 1,954 individuals seeking help compared to 923 in 2024. This aligns with earlier findings from GamCare Bridges Gap between Gambling Harm and Debt Advice, which positioned the service as a critical bridge between gambling recovery and traditional debt advice-highlighting its role in addressing financial behaviours that standard debt solutions often fail to capture.
Total Gambling-Related Debt More Than Doubles
The total level of disclosed gambling-related debt among GamCare users rose significantly in 2025, exceeding £7.2 million. This compares to £2.8 million reported in 2024, indicating a more than twofold increase in overall financial exposure.
This sharp rise reflects a growing number of individuals experiencing serious financial consequences linked to gambling activity.
Average Player Debt Reaches New Highs
Alongside the increase in total debt, the average amount owed per individual also rose markedly. Average debt reached £21,269 in 2025, up from £13,876 the previous year.
This suggests that individuals seeking support are carrying larger financial burdens than before, pointing to deeper levels of financial distress.
January Spike Signals Accelerating Harm
Data from January 2026 shows a further escalation in demand. A record 233 individuals were referred into GamCare’s financial guidance services in a single month, almost three times the number recorded in January 2025.
This indicates a rapid increase in the number of people requiring structured financial support linked to gambling harm.
Structural Shift Toward NHS-Backed Gambling Harm Treatment
The rise in financial distress and treatment demand is occurring alongside broader structural changes in how gambling harm is addressed at a national level. As reported in Wales Launches NHS Gambling Helpline and Treatment Service, Wales is introducing its first NHS-backed gambling treatment service and national helpline from April 2026, funded through the statutory gambling levy.
Growing Link Between Gambling and Financial Hardship
GamCare reported an increase in referrals to PayPlan, with 243 cases in 2025, up 34% year-on-year. This reflects a strengthening connection between gambling harm services and debt advice providers.
The organisation also noted a behavioural trend in which some individuals are using gambling in an attempt to manage or cover essential living costs, highlighting the impact of broader financial pressures.
Source: GamCare
