Help with gambling

Where to get help and support

Free and confidential advice and support are available for:

  • people who gamble
  • people who are worried about someone else's gambling
  • people recovering from gambling

GamCare

GamCare supports people by:

  • providing information and advice for people affected by gambling
  • running the National Gambling Helpline
  • providing treatment for anyone who is harmed by gambling
  • raising awareness of and providing guidance on safer gambling and treatment

You can find more information about the support GamCare offer on its website.

You can contact the National Gambling Helpline by calling 0808 802 0133. This free helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

You can also contact GamCare 24 hours a day by:

Support for young people

GamCare's Young People's Support Service provides free and confidential support to young people who are:

  • at risk of gambling harmfully
  • gambling harmfully
  • affected by another person's gambling

This gambling support covers cryptocurrency and gaming.

You can find more about the support GamCare offer young people on BigDeal's website.

You can also watch a video to learn more about the Young People's Support Service.

If you want to contact Young People's Support Service or to refer yourself or someone else, email youngpeopleservice@gamcare.org.uk or complete a referral form.

Aquarius

Aquarius provides guidance, advice, and support to anyone affected by gambling. Support provided is personalised to each person's needs but can include:

  • strategies to control gambling
  • coping with cravings
  • information on how to block gambling software

To refer yourself to Aquarius, email gambling@aquarius.org.uk or phone 0300 456 4293.

You can find more about the support Aquarius offers on its website.

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous runs online and in-person peer support meetings for gamblers.

You can find information about upcoming meetings on the Gamblers Anonymous website.

You can find more about peer support meetings for friends and family of gamblers on GamAnon's website.

Gordon Moody

Gordon Moody is based in Dudley and offers:

  • residential courses
  • counselling programs
  • online support for people who have problems with gambling

Their Gambling Therapy platform is a free online service offering support, advice, and signposting in over 250 languages to anyone affected by harmful gambling.

To learn more:

Other help

NHS support

You can visit the NHS website for advice on accessing gambling support.

Support is also provided through The National Problem Gambling Clinic. This is a specialist NHS service based in London which treats people aged 13 and over living in England who are experiencing gambling problems.

To refer yourself, phone 020 7381 7722 or email gambling.cnwl@nhs.net.

Gambling blocking software

In the same way you use a seatbelt to protect yourself when driving, tools are available to protect you when gambling. These tools include setting deposit and time limits to make sure you do not spend more time or money than you planned to.

It is possible to self-exclude yourself from gambling sites for set amounts of time.

You can use blocking software to stop you from accessing certain websites.

Money and debt management advice

Harmful gambling can result in serious financial problems for you and your family, but help is available.

If you are worried about managing finances or debt:

  • GamCare has information and advice on managing money and debt for gamblers
  • StepChange Debt Charity provides realistic debt advice for free
  • Citizens Advice offers free help and advice for issues including debt advice. Find support by:
  • PayPlan offers general debt advice and comprehensive guidance on many practical, long term debt solutions

Loan shark help

We offer support to help people who are worried about or have borrowed from loan sharks.

Mental health support

Harmful gambling can seriously affect your mental health, but help is available:

  • Samaritans offer support and advice for anything you are struggling with, including mental health struggles and suicide; you can phone 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan for free at any time
  • Birmingham Mind offers mental health support in Birmingham; for urgent help, you can phone 0121 262 3555 or visit the Birmingham Mind website
  • Gambling With Lives is a community of friends and families bereaved by suicide caused or influenced by gambling — they offer peer support and can provide professional and legal help
  • Papyrus offers confidential suicide prevention advice for children and young people under the age of 35. Phone them on 0800 068 4141

Page last updated: 17 March 2023

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