RECORD numbers sought help for gambling problems through the national helpline last year, figures released today show.

About 52,370 people called the National Gambling Helpline in 2023 — a 24 per cent rise compared with 2022.

The helpline saw a sharp rise in calls during the festive period in December. Calls increased by 39 per cent compared with the year before.

Helpline advisers said they received an influx of calls from people saying they struggled to watch television with their families due to the volume of gambling advertising.

GamCare, who run the helpline, also launched a WhatsApp service which has been used by thousands. 

Anna Hargrave, chief commissioning and strategy officer at GambleAware, said that the rise “clearly demonstrates the need for and importance of prevention and early intervention support services.”

She said: “These support services need to be prioritised within the new system once the statutory gambling levy is introduced, as we know that swift intervention is essential to help people in the early stages of experiencing gambling harm, before it becomes even more serious.”