UK charity GamCare has released the latest data on how many individuals sought help for gaming-related issues via GamCare’s gambling helpline during the 2023-24 fiscal year. The news follows the Football Association’s announcement that West Ham footballer Lucas Paqueta has been charged with alleged betting misconduct.
Nearly 130 Individuals Called the National Gambling Helpline Due to Gambling-Like Activities
As reported by streaming service ITVX, GamCare’s data specifically pertains to gaming products dubbed “gambling-like activities,” which are considered somewhat of a grey area when it comes to gambling, particularly when regulation is concerned. The said products include loot boxes and other mechanics that bear a resemblance to casino gambling.
According to the figures, such calls were at a record high during the past financial year, as a total of 129 individuals reached out to the National Gambling Helpline for gaming-related struggles. This number is twice the figure reported in 2022-23. It also appears that 15% of UK youth got in touch with the Young People’s Support Service offered by GamCare.
At present, UK gambling legislation does not directly address loot boxes and other types of gambling-like activities. As outlined in the Government’s Gambling White Paper, regulators are not looking to adjust the rules and definitions for now, but a review could be launched someday if the government deems it necessary.
It should also be noted that several years prior to the White Paper’s publication, the government did call for studies and other means of proving gambling-like activities’ impact to be undertaken and presented as evidence. This resulted in a report by the research institute Innovation for Games and Media Enterprise (inGAME), according to which loot boxes pose harm to children and adults alike and make them more susceptible to problem gambling and financial harm.
Lucas Paqueta Has Been Handed Charges by the FA
In another showcase of the potential drawbacks of problematic gambling, West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta is facing potential punishment for his alleged violations of Football Association (FA) betting rules. According to the accusations, Paqueta influenced certain game-related outcomes with regard to yellow cards for the sake of profit. As alleged by the FA, Paqueta tried to receive yellow cards during matches on purpose, and he supposedly committed actions that were in breach of FA rules during games held in 2022 and 2023. He has until June 3rd this year to issue a response.
Paqueta issued a statement regarding this development, expressing his surprise and upset at the FA’s decision and denying all charges. He said that he has cooperated with the FA throughout the entire investigative process and that he is going to “fight with every breath” to clear his name.
The news of his potential involvement in such a match-fixing scheme broke in 2023 when the BBC reported that an investigation into Paqueta was underway at the time. This news coincided with Manchester City’s plans to transfer Paqueta to the team for £80 million, but the potential deal fell through. He continued playing for West Ham in spite of all of this, however.
- Author
Daniel Williams
