Sources of help
If you’re experiencing problems with your gambling or you’re concerned about someone close to you, please seek help and contact any of the organisations listed below.
Prevention & Exclusion
Gamstop
Registering for GAMSTOP will block you from logging in online or setting up gambling accounts with businesses licensed in Great Britain if you’re a UK resident. It’s a free service. You can register for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.
As part of our TalkBanStop campaign, we recommend registering for free Gamban blocking software for your devices as well as excluding yourself through GAMSTOP. Click here to contact a trained adviser for more information.
GAMSTOP have also created a short video to explain more about their service:
You can also download GAMSTOP’s registration guide here
TalkBanStop
Combining practical tools with the support you need to stop gambling, TalkBanStop is just one of many options available to help you to take back control.
Chat with a trained adviser on the National Gambling Helpline and receive free confidential advice, support and information. You’ll also have access to a free Gamban licence and will be able talk to them about the benefits of self-excluding with GAMSTOP.
Multi-Operator Self Exclusion Scheme
This service allows people to register an initial wish to self-exclude, add gambling premises to an existing self-exclusion, renew a self-exclusion when it has been in place for a year and record any notifications of a request to return to gambling after the year of self-exclusion has expired. Please visit: https://self-exclusion.co.uk.
Support
GamCare
GamCare operate the National Gambling Helpline and offer confidential information, advice and support for anyone harmed by gambling in Great Britain. The Helpline is open 24 hours every day on Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via Live Chat. Advisers will listen to you, they won’t judge and your conversation is confidential. Link: https://community.gamcare.org.uk/forum/ and https://community.gamcare.org.uk/chatrooms/.
Gambling Therapy
Gambling Therapy is a global online support service, offering advice in multiple languages for people who have been adversely affected by gambling. Link: www.gamblingtherapy.org.
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experiences, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from gambling problems. You can find an A-Z international list of locations where meetings are held here.
Dunlewey Centre
If you live in Ireland and need to talk to someone about problem gambling, you can contact the Dunlewey Centre. Their helplines are 0800 088 6725 (NI) and 1800 936725 (ROI).
National Gambling Treatment Service
The National Gambling Treatment Service is a network of organisations working together to provide confidential treatment and support for anyone experiencing gambling-related harm and is free to access across England, Scotland and Wales. Link: www.begambleaware.org/ngts.
Gordon Moody
https://gordonmoody.org.uk/treatment-options/Gordon Moody offers a range of treatment programmes for those suffering from gambling harm. They’ve been on the frontline for more than 50 years, helping people recover from gambling addiction through the use of effective therapies, interventions and counselling.
Debt management & Financial advice
National Debt Line
National Debtline is a debt advice charity run by the Money Advice Trust. They are a free and confidential debt advice service for people in England, Wales and Scotland and have helped millions of people deal with their debts.
Their site offers a variety of resources, including guides, fact sheets and budgeting tools, as well as debt advice via their webchat service, email and helpline. If you feel like your finances are getting out of control their team of expert debt advisers are there to help.
Citizen Advice
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/Citizens Advice is a national charity and network of local charities offering free, confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person. They provide help and advice on a variety of issues, including how to deal with debt problems and guidance on getting your finances back into shape.
Step Change
https://www.stepchange.org/about-us/what-we-do.aspxThe charity Step Change helps 635,000 people a year deal with their debt problems. With 25 years' experience, they can provide the advice and support you need to achieve long-term financial control.
Offering free debt advice that is based on a comprehensive assessment of your situation, their debt experts will provide practical help and support for however long it’s needed.
Mental Health Support
Mind
https://www.mind.org.ukThe charity Mind provides advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Advice is available on their website and further support can be accessed through their helpline, online community support initiative Side by Side and via Local Minds, which connects people with mental health services in their local communities.
Sane
http://www.sane.org.ukSANE is a UK-wide charity working to improve the quality of life for people affected by mental illness. The charity’s mission is to raise public awareness of mental illness and bring more effective professional treatment and compassionate care to those affected.
They offer emotional support and information through their helpline, Textcare and their online Support Forum where people can share their feelings and experiences.
These services are provided by a team of highly trained volunteers, while their Caller Care service is led by professional staff who provide ongoing support to help people alleviate a crisis phase or get through difficult circumstances.
Help for affected others
Big Deal
BigDeal is a place for young people to get information, advice and guidance about gambling. They also help parents and professionals such as teachers, social workers and youth workers.
If, as a young person, someone else’s gambling is negatively affecting you or your own gambling is becoming a problem, you can contact BigDeal via live chat or helpline and speak to someone confidentially.
Gam-Anon
http://www.gamanonscotland.org
Gam-Anon is there to offer support and understanding to those affected, directly or indirectly, by problem gambling. Through regular meetings, Gam-Anon provides advice and help to the friends and family members of problem gamblers. You can find your nearest meeting in the links above.