Gambling is entertainment that costs money. It is not a way to make money, pay off debts or solve money problems. If your gambling has stopped feeling like entertainment, you do not have to work it out alone. Free, confidential support is available across the UK, and the helplines are listed above.
Advisers at GamCare and the National Gambling Helpline can talk through what is happening, help you think about what to do next and tell you about treatment options if you want them. You can contact them even if you are not sure whether your gambling is a problem yet. Asking for information does not commit you to anything.
Warning signs and what to do
Gambling may be becoming a problem if you recognise any of these:
- you spend more time or money on gambling than you planned
- you keep chasing losses, feeling that you must win back what you have lost
- you use money meant for bills or essentials to pay for gambling
- you hide how much you gamble from people close to you
- you feel restless, irritable or anxious when you cannot gamble
- you gamble to escape stress, low mood or other problems
If you recognise one or more of these, start by pausing. Stop gambling for a while, and do not use money you need for essentials. Then talk to someone you trust, or call GamCare or the National Gambling Helpline. The tools in the next section can help you keep control while you decide what to do. <<</FIX 1>>>
Tools and free help
Every UK-licensed operator must offer deposit limits, reality checks, time-outs and self-exclusion. A deposit limit caps how much you can pay in over a set period. A reality check is a reminder of how long you have been playing and how much you have spent. A time-out closes your account for a short period you choose. Self-exclusion blocks your access for a longer period, and once it is set it generally runs for the full period you chose.
GAMSTOP is a free service that lets you self-exclude from all UK-licensed online gambling sites at once, rather than one operator at a time. You can register at GAMSTOP. It covers online gambling only, so it does not block betting shops or other forms of gambling that are not licensed online.
You can also reduce access to gambling in other ways. Some banks let you block gambling transactions in their banking app, so payments to gambling sites are declined. Check with your bank to see whether this option is available to you. Blocking or filtering software on your phone or computer can make it harder to open gambling sites. None of these tools solves a gambling problem on its own, but they work best when you use more than one.
If someone close to you is affected
If you think someone close to you is struggling with gambling, choose a calm moment to talk. Focus on specific things you have noticed, such as missing money or changes in mood, and explain how they affect you. Listen to their answer before you suggest next steps. Ultimatums and blame often make people hide their gambling more.
You do not have to fix the problem yourself, and you do not have to wait until they ask for help. GamCare offers support for families and friends of people who gamble, including information and one-to-one advice. You can find their services at GamCare.