GamCare Warns World Cup 2026 Could Drive Rise in Gambling-Related Harm

GamCare · 1h ago

UK gambling support charity GamCare has cautioned that the expanded 48-team World Cup, combined with late North American kickoff times for European viewers, could push more fans toward risky betting habits and increase demand for its helpline. The charity points to figures showing online gambling now accounts for the largest share of contacts to the National Gambling Helpline, with four in five people reporting an online gambling problem this year, the highest share since 2021. GamCare says young adults aged 18 to 34 appear especially prone to compulsive betting during major tournaments and to continuing with higher-risk online casino games afterward.