GamCare has conducted a new survey designed to identify ongoing issues with people’s gambling habits during the holiday season. According to the survey, conducted by YouGov, and interviewing 4,000 adults, three-fifths of people who experience gambling-related harm are more likely to gamble during the holiday season – at Christmas, more so than at any other time during the year.
This was a significant rise among the people who were experiencing a gambling-related problem compared to last year, when only 37% of such respondents said that they were likely to gamble during the Christmas holiday. In December 2023, however, the national helpline saw a 39% increase in calls, solidifying the survey findings that Christmas is generally linked to a higher degree of gambling.
GamCare and YouGov were able to produce an even more detailed view of people’s habits during the holiday seasons when it comes to gambling specifically. For example, the survey similarly found that 53% of people who had a problem with gambling and gambled during that time of year ended up spending money otherwise intended for presents, food, or seasonal expenses on gambling.
The same percentage of people experiencing gambling-related issues reported that they also experienced increased feelings of anxiety and stress, and 56% added that gambling has made them more isolated. Commenting on these findings, GamCare Deputy Chief Executive Mark Weiss had this to say:
"The festive period can be a difficult time for those struggling with gambling, but it can also provide a good opportunity to open up about the issues you’re facing. Our new research shows that there has been an increase in people who already have gambling issues saying they are more likely to gamble over the festive period than at other times of the year."
Weiss similarly spoke about the GamCare Helpline and the calls and complaints they had received over the holiday season. According to the helpline’s advisers, one of the most common triggers for people experiencing gambling-related issues to spend more on gambling is the fact that many people receive early December paydays, which makes it more likely for such people to give in to temptation.
"There’s a lot of image consciousness around Christmas and people feel the pressure to go further than they can financially afford. Whether it’s presents, food, or family spending, all of these things can lead to debt," one GamCare adviser shared.
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