GamCare warns 2026 World Cup may drive online gambling harm

GamCare warned the 2026 FIFA World Cup could increase gambling-related harm in the UK. The charity operates the U.K. National Gambling Helpline.

The charity reported contacts to the helpline rose from 8,802 in December 2022 to 9,742 in January 2023, an 11% month-on-month increase following the 2022 World Cup. In 2026, 3,053 people who disclosed a form of gambling to GamCare listed online gambling; 81.5% cited online products-the highest share since 2021. In-person forms such as betting shops and gaming centres were cited by 36.1% of callers, the lowest level recorded in the same period.

GamCare highlighted that an expanded tournament schedule and a wide range of online betting options could increase exposure to online gambling for people already experiencing harm. The charity also reported a post-pandemic high in requests for support linked to online gambling.

Victoria Corbishley, GamCare’s chief executive, noted the charity typically sees more requests for help during major sporting events and warned young adults could be more vulnerable during this summer’s tournament.

New YouGov research commissioned by GamCare surveyed 3,700 UK adults. Among respondents aged 18 to 34 who had placed bets on the Euros or World Cup, 32% said they find it difficult to avoid gambling during major international tournaments. That compared with 18% of respondents aged 35 to 53 and 9% of those aged 55 and over.

The survey also found 30% of 18-34-year-olds who had previously bet on major tournaments reported continuing to gamble afterward on higher-risk products such as online casino games. The comparable figures were 19% for 35-53-year-olds and 20% for those 55 and older.

GamCare’s service data shows online products now make up a growing share of the cases that reach support services. The charity cited factors including in-play betting, targeted advertising and easy access via smartphones as part of the environment around online gambling.

A person with lived experience, Paul Nash, described how tournaments can trigger harmful gambling. “During my younger adult years, I really felt gambling had begun to take my life away from me. Tournaments like the World Cup, where there is so much hype and excitement, can be huge triggers when you are going through a gambling problem, and you’re not sure how to stop. Reaching out to the National Gambling Helpline when I was at my lowest point with gambling was a huge help for me, and I’d recommend anyone else struggling to do so too.”

GamCare pointed to forecasting and academic research from previous tournaments that linked tournament coverage and advertising to increased betting activity. The charity said those patterns, together with the wide availability of online gambling, support the need for increased support services ahead of the 2026 World Cup.