A growing number of younger Americans are seeking support for gambling-related problems, according to the latest annual report from the US National Problem Gambling Helpline.
The 2025 report revealed that nearly half of all people contacting the helpline were between the ages of 18 and 34, highlighting an ongoing shift toward younger demographics looking for help. The service now handles more than 31,000 calls, texts and web chats every month as demand continues to rise.
The National Council on Problem Gambling said the changing landscape of gambling, particularly the rapid expansion of online and app-based betting, is reshaping the type of support people need. Online gambling accounted for 31% of reported concerns in 2025, up from 23% the previous year, while traditional slot machine-related issues declined. Sports betting and card games also showed increased activity among those reaching out for assistance.
Financial stress remained the leading reason people sought help. More than 73% of contacts cited money-related difficulties, compared to 66% in 2024. Mental health concerns and relationship problems were also frequently mentioned alongside gambling harm.
The report also pointed to changing demographics among callers. The proportion of contacts identifying as white has fallen since 2023, while the number of people identifying as multiracial has increased noticeably. Men still represented around 70% of contacts, though the helpline noted that almost 1% of users identified as transgender or non-binary. Around 4% of all contacts came from family members or spouses seeking support for someone else.
Digital communication methods continue to gain popularity, especially among younger users. Text messaging and online chat services are becoming increasingly common alternatives to traditional phone calls, prompting the helpline to expand its digital support infrastructure and workforce.
The findings arrive amid growing concern over gambling participation among younger adults and students in the US. Recent academic studies have suggested gambling activity is becoming more common on university campuses, leading some institutions to introduce dedicated research and prevention programmes.