The number of young and diverse callers will increase in 2025, according to the US National Gambling Helpline

In its 2025 annual report released last week, the US National Problem Gambling Helpline reported major changes in the profile of those seeking help.

The helpline, which handles calls, texts and web chats from all over the country, has seen an increase in calls and now averages more than 31,000 calls per month.

This surge has been accompanied by notable changes in caller demographics and gambling behavior, driven primarily by the rise of online gambling and increased economic pressures.

This report does not provide population-level prevalence estimates of problem gambling, nor does it establish a direct causal relationship between specific gambling products and harm.

A younger, more diverse group of people seeking help

Almost half (49.48%) of all contacts are individuals between the ages of 18 and 34, with younger generations continuing to seek help.

Student gambling has made headlines in recent months following a study conducted by Ole Miss researchers on multiple campuses. The study surveyed students at seven state universities. It found that 39% of respondents had gambled within the past year. In response, the University of Mississippi launched the nation’s first academic center on student gambling, focused on spearheading research, prevention, and treatment efforts while also examining the impact on the integrity of college sports.

Helpline statistics also showed that the racial and ethnic composition of callers was evolving. Since 2023, the proportion identifying as white has decreased, while the proportion identifying as multiracial has increased significantly.

Approximately 70% of contacts are male, but for the first time, nearly 1% were found to be transgender or non-binary. About 4% of contacts were from spouses or family members seeking help on someone else’s behalf.

Changing gambling patterns

The nature of gambling activities cited by callers has undergone a notable change. The main concerns, traditional slot machines and electronic games, fell from 36% to 31% year-on-year.

Conversely, online and app-based gambling contacts increased from 23% to 31% in 2024. Reports of sports betting and card games are also on the rise.

This change is consistent with broader industry trends, including the rapid expansion of mobile betting applications, increased state-by-state regulation of sports betting markets, and easy 24-hour access to online platforms.

These developments have contributed to making gambling more accessible, but also more difficult to control for some individuals.

Financial and mental health come first

Financial hardship remains the most commonly cited reason for contacting helplines, with over 73% of callers reporting financial stress related to gambling, up from 66% in 2024.

Mental health issues (32%) and relationship issues (22%) were also common motivations, highlighting how gambling harm often overlaps with wider personal and social challenges.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) recently announced a new initiative to provide Michigan residents with free access to Gamban, a gambling prevention software. Under the partnership, residents can apply for a Gamban license free of charge, with license terms ranging from one to five years.

MGCB announced last week that due to overwhelming demand, it would expand by adding 100 licenses for free in addition to the 100 licenses originally offered.

There may also be some movement at the federal level. At a sports betting hearing held by the Senate Commerce Subcommittee last week, gambling addiction expert Harry Levant testified that minimum federal standards are needed to regulate the nation’s sports betting market.

Meanwhile, the report highlights not only an increase in the number of callers, but also changes in communication preferences. Digital contact methods such as text messaging and web chat are increasingly preferred, especially among young, tech-savvy users. At a federal sports betting hearing on Capitol Hill last week, gambling addiction expert Harry Levant said:

As a result, Helpline recognizes the need to expand and adapt its service channels and workforce to meet this evolving demand.