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 .
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:
- using their
- calling 0203 0318 881 on
- using
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 .
You can also .
If you want to contact Young People's Support Service or to refer yourself or someone else, you can email youngpeopleservice@gamcare.org.uk or .
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
You can email gambling@aquarius.org.uk or phone 0300 456 4293 to refer yourself to Aquarius.
You can find more about the .
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous runs online and in-person peer support meetings for gamblers.
You can find information about .
You can find more about .
Gordon Moody
Gordon Moody is based in Dudley and offers:
- residential courses
- counselling programs
- online support for people who have problems with gambling
Their platform is a free online service offering support, advice, and signposting in over 250 languages to anyone affected by harmful gambling.
You can email help@gordonmoody.org.uk, or phone 01384 241292 to learn more.
Other help
NHS support
You can gambling support.
Support is also provided through . This is a specialist NHS service based in London which treats people aged 13 and over living in England who are experiencing gambling problems. You can phone 020 7381 7722 or email gambling.cnwl@nhs.net to refer yourself.
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 .
You can use .
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:
- for free
- Citizens Advice offers free help and advice for issues including debt advice; you can find support on the , by calling 0800 144 8848 or by
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:
- , including mental health struggles and suicide; you can phone 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan for free at any time
- Â鶹ÊÓƵ Mind offers mental health support in Â鶹ÊÓƵ; for urgent help, you can phone 0121 262 3555 or
- 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
- offers confidential suicide prevention advice for children and young people under the age of 35, which you can access by calling 0800 068 4141
Page last updated: 17 March 2023