Problem Gambling Resources in Wisconsin

National Problem Gambling Helpline™ 2025 Annual Report – Contacts Are Younger, More Diverse, and Facing New Gambling Risks

Key Findings from the 2025 National Problem Gambling Helpline Report 

Every month in 2025, more than 31,000 people reached out to the National Problem Gambling Helpline™, often in moments when they needed support the most. 

In the 2025 National Problem Gambling Helpline™ Annual Report, we learned a bit about who is reaching out and what’s behind those calls, texts, and chats. 

• The landscape is shifting younger and more diverse. Nearly half of all contacts (49.48%) were between ages 18-34, continuing a trend toward younger help-seekers. At the same time, the proportion identifying as white has steadily decreased since 2023, while contacts identifying as multiracial have grown significantly. This shift tells us that gambling harm is touching a broader cross-section of Americans than ever before. 
• How people gamble is changing dramatically. Traditional slot machines and electronic gaming are declining as a primary concern, dropping from 36% to 31% of contacts. Meanwhile, online and app-based gambling surged to 31% of reports, up from 23% the previous year. Sports betting and card games are also on the rise. These aren’t just statistics; they reflect real shifts in how gambling is marketed, accessed, and experienced in daily life. 
• Financial stress drives people to call. More than 73% of contacts reported financial struggles as motivation for reaching out, up from 66% in 2024. Mental health concerns (32%) and relationship problems (22%) rounded out the top three motivators. These overlapping pressures paint a picture of gambling harm as a deeply human crisis, one that affects wallets, minds, and families all at once. 
• Men still make up the majority of contacts (70%), though nearly 1% of contacts identified as transgender or non-binary. Most people reaching out are seeking help for their own gambling, though spouses and family members represent about 4% of contacts. 

The data points toward a future where problem gambling support must be as accessible, immediate, and diverse as the gambling options themselves. Chat and text contacts continue to grow, reflecting how people increasingly prefer digital connection in moments of need. If trends hold, the helpline will need to keep pace with changing demographics, evolving gambling products, and the rising complexity of harm.