Support and advice
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A collection of UK helplines, professional treatment options and self-help tools for anyone seeking advice or support with gambling.
GamCare
Free, confidential support on 0808 8020 133, available 24/7.
Gamblers Anonymous
Free self-help groups across the UK, open to everyone without prior registration.
NHS Treatment
Professional outpatient and inpatient treatment, covered by the NHS via GP referral.
GamStop
Free self-exclusion scheme covering all UK-licensed gambling sites instantly.
Where to start
Reaching out for help can feel like the hardest step, but in the UK there are accessible options for anyone who wants advice about their gambling or is worried about someone else. Everyone starts from a different point and the right entry varies by situation. Our editorial team has listed the most common services below so you can choose what suits you.
National Gambling Helpline / GamCare
GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, which is free and available around the clock. A trained adviser listens, helps you identify the problem and can refer you to local services or therapists. You can also use the GamCare website to access a live chat or request a callback.
The helpline is ideal for anyone who is not yet sure whether there is a problem and simply wants to talk to someone with a professional perspective. It is also a good first step for family members who are worried about a loved one.
Gamblers Anonymous and GamAnon
Gamblers Anonymous UK runs self-help groups on the same model as Alcoholics Anonymous. Weekly meetings are held across the UK, in virtually every major city and many smaller towns. Attendance is free, no prior registration is required and you share only what you choose to share.
GamAnon is the sister organisation for family members, friends and partners of gamblers. There you learn how to set boundaries without becoming a controller, how to limit financial damage and how to support the person without making their decisions for them. Both organisations are online at gamblersanonymous.org.uk.
NHS and private treatment
The NHS provides treatment for gambling disorder through community mental health teams and specialist addiction services. Referral is via your GP and treatment is free of charge. Waiting times for an initial assessment are typically two to four weeks. Treatment usually consists of cognitive behavioural therapy.
Private options are available through providers such as Gordon Moody, which offers residential treatment for severe gambling addiction. GamCare maintains an up-to-date directory of accredited treatment providers across the UK.
"Asking for help is not a weakness. It is the most purposeful way to regain control of your own life."
GamStop for UK-licensed sites
If you play at UK-licensed operators, registering with GamStop is a direct and effective measure. The scheme excludes you from all UK-licensed online gambling sites for a minimum of six months. Registration is free and takes effect immediately via gamstop.co.uk. For broader protection covering international sites, software such as BetBlocker or Gamban is a useful complement.
Self-help tools and software
BetBlocker is free software that you install on your computer, tablet or phone to block all gambling websites. You set the duration yourself – from 24 hours to five years – and you cannot shorten it early. Gamban offers a comparable product via annual subscription with additional features. On smartphones, managed device settings through Screen Time (iOS) or Digital Wellbeing (Android) can also help block gambling apps.
Financial help
Sometimes a gambling problem comes with debt. StepChange offers free debt advice and a personalised action plan. For more serious debt you can contact the National Debtline or your local Citizens Advice bureau. Payplan is another free service for debt management plans.
For crisis situations
If someone is experiencing acute thoughts of self-harm or suicide, immediate help is essential. Call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or text SHOUT to 85258. In a life-threatening emergency call 999.
How to support someone else
If you suspect someone close to you is struggling with gambling, listening without judgement is usually the best first step. Point them towards help options without being pushy. Offer practical support such as accompanying them to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting. Protect shared finances by separating accounts where necessary. Do not forget your own wellbeing – GamAnon is there for you too.
Practical directory
Below are the most important contacts at a glance. Also check the tools on Responsible Gambling en Close Account.
- National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7) or gamcare.org.uk
- GamCare: gamcare.org.uk for counselling and support
- Gamblers Anonymous: gamblersanonymous.org.uk for self-help groups
- GamAnon: for family members, via gamanon.org.uk
- GamStop: gamstop.co.uk for self-exclusion from UK sites
- BetBlocker: betblocker.org – free blocking software
- StepChange: stepchange.org for free debt advice
- Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7) for emotional support
When is professional help needed
Many people wonder where the line is between a rough patch and a genuine problem. The DSM-5 lists nine criteria for problem gambling, including chasing losses, lying about gambling behaviour, borrowing money to continue playing and neglecting work or relationships. Anyone who recognises four or more of these behaviours in themselves clinically meets the criteria for problem gambling and would benefit from specialist help.
What treatment looks like
An NHS outpatient assessment typically starts with an hour-long intake appointment. The clinician maps your gambling history, financial situation, family circumstances and any co-occurring issues such as depression or anxiety. A treatment plan is then drawn up, usually consisting of cognitive behavioural therapy with weekly sessions over twelve to sixteen weeks. Group therapy or couples counselling may be added.
Cost and waiting times
NHS treatment is free at the point of use following a GP referral. Average waiting times for an initial appointment are two to four weeks depending on region. In the meantime the National Gambling Helpline provides bridging advice and Gamblers Anonymous groups are immediately accessible without a referral.
Sorting out your finances
Anyone who has accrued debt during a period of gambling should combine financial help with treatment. StepChange offers a free debt check that identifies the most urgent steps in minutes. Citizens Advice can negotiate with creditors. For severe cases, a Debt Relief Order or Individual Voluntary Arrangement may be options worth discussing with an adviser.
International and online support
Beyond UK services there are international free helplines and online communities. Gambling Therapy offers 24/7 chat and e-mail support in multiple languages. Reddit r/problemgambling is an active, anonymous community. Podcasts such as After Gambling share weekly stories from people in recovery. Complement online support with face-to-face contact where possible.
Taking the first step
Reaching out is the hardest part. A call to GamCare or the National Gambling Helpline is free and confidential. No one asks for a full life story at the door. A single sentence describing what is going wrong is enough. The adviser then guides the conversation towards concrete next steps rather than turning the problem into something larger than it already feels in your head.
If a phone call feels too direct, chat and email are good alternatives. Most helplines respond within a day. Written conversations let you compose thoughts at your own pace and reread saved answers later. Some players keep an archive of their chats as a quiet record of progress and as a reference if a stressful moment threatens to undo earlier gains.
What support actually does
A helpline is not therapy, but it can organise the path towards it. Advisers know the local services, can refer you into an NHS gambling clinic and help untangle financial questions. The first conversations often produce a budget outline that lowers pressure and shows which debts realistically need attention first. Calm structure is one of the strongest antidotes to the panic that surrounds gambling harm.
GamStop plays a special role. Self exclusion through GamStop blocks you from every Gambling Commission licensed site in the UK. It cannot be reversed on a whim, which is the point. Advisers will discuss whether to combine GamStop with bank level blocks and with software such as Gamban that filters gambling sites on your devices, building several layers of protection at once.
Family and finances
Gambling rarely affects only the person at the keyboard. Partners, children and parents share the strain. Family support sessions help to rebuild trust and to hold conversations that without guidance quickly turn into accusations. Separating bank accounts, agreeing rules for shared spending and adding a second signature for larger transfers all reduce the chance that a relapse goes unseen.