UK problem gambling charity GamCare has announced that their National Gambling Helpline will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week effective October 1st.
The helpline features advisors giving advice to callers related to gambling issues, and also forwarding them onto treatment services in the UK. The line is very popular in the country, with over 30,000 calls placed to the line over the past year. There are believed to be about 340,000 addicted gamblers in the UK, with up to another 2 million at risk. The service's opening to 24 hours a day will likely see the number of gamblers helped grow.
As of press time, the 24 hour a day operating period is in a test phase, and if it's successful it will be extended.
Speaking about the expansion of hours GamCare CEO Anna Hemmings said, "With the 24-hour nature of gambling, people sometimes feel at their most isolated overnight, when other support services are closed. They will now be able to reach our highly trained advisers 24 hours a day, who can offer immediate support, advice and referral to our network of treatment services nationally."
Comments
I always thought these lines were open around the clock. It's good to see they'll be able to help gamblers whenever an issue may pop up.
sharpe
That's quite a big margin there isn't it...I always thought it's a thin line between to be at risk...and in fact being an addicted gambler..so probably the number there is too frivolous...but anyway it's nice to read there's someone ready to help these people 24/7