The percentage of UK gamblers concerned about their use of online slot machine games has almost doubled in the last five years.
Of 5,660 people who contacted the National Gambling Helpline for support in 2022-2023, 73 per cent struggled with online gambling. Of those, 60 per cent were mainly concerned about online slots, up from 34 per cent in 2018-2019.
In April, the Government published its White Paper reforming the Gambling Act 2005. One of its recommendations, which has now been submitted to consultation, is placing maximum stake limits on online slots, such as £2 or £4 for under 25s and between £2 and £15 for those over 25.
Gateway
Colin Walsh of GamCare, which operates the helpline, said: “There is still a perception that gambling harm predominantly comes from betting on horses or sports events.
“In the past five years, we have broadly seen a trend where people often start gambling on these activities but eventually transition into other areas of online gambling, where it can be easy to lose sight of how much time and money is being spent.”
He acknowledged “how difficult this form of gambling can be, and how isolating it can feel if you find yourself caught in a negative cycle. But I also know that it is possible to get through it”.
NHS
In July, the NHS announced that it will be expanding its services to support gambling addicts following soaring demand.
Nearly 1,400 people were referred for help last year, a rise of one-third on the previous year and nearly 80 per cent higher than two years ago.
The fifteen clinics are designed to help treat around 3,000 betting addicts per year through cognitive behavioural therapy and support groups.
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