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Confidential support
Talking helps sooner than you think
A directory of UK organisations that offer free, confidential support for anyone worried about their own gambling or someone else's.
→ Find helpWhere you can turn
GamCare
Runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, plus live chat and structured treatment.
GAMSTOP
Free national self-exclusion register covering every UK-licensed online gambling site.
BeGambleAware
Independent charity that funds prevention and treatment services across Great Britain.
Gordon Moody
Residential and online treatment for people experiencing the most serious gambling harms.
When seeking help is the right move
Reaching out is wise as soon as thoughts about gambling start filling a large part of your day, or you are playing more or depositing more than you decided to in advance. Other signs include borrowing to gamble, chasing losses with fresh deposits, and hiding gambling from family and friends. If any of those feel familiar, a first conversation with a support service is worthwhile.
A first conversation does not have to lead to a formal treatment programme. You can speak to GamCare or BeGambleAware confidentially and free of charge, simply to talk things through. Advisers listen without judgement and help you work out which next step fits, whether that is information, a short brief intake with a treatment provider or a referral to a specialist clinician.
GamCare and the National Gambling Helpline
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline, the central point of contact for free, confidential support in Great Britain. The line is open 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133. Live chat is available through gamcare.org.uk and works in the same way. Advisers are trained to listen, ask the right questions and outline options that fit your situation.
Alongside the helpline, GamCare offers structured treatment through a national network of partners, including one-to-one counselling and online support groups. Self-referral is straightforward; you do not need a GP referral to begin. Friends and family can also access support in their own right.
BeGambleAware and the NHS
BeGambleAware is an independent charity that funds prevention and treatment services across England, Scotland and Wales. The website begambleaware.org provides plain-English information about gambling, the risks involved and the services available. Treatment commissioned by BeGambleAware is delivered through providers such as GamCare and the NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic. All of it is confidential and free at the point of use.
When professional treatment is needed
If a first conversation makes clear that more support would help, a referral into professional treatment can follow. Gordon Moody offers intensive residential and online programmes for those experiencing the most serious harms. The NHS Northern Gambling Service and the National Problem Gambling Clinic provide specialist therapy through the NHS. Self-referral or GP referral are both possible routes.
Treatment usually combines individual sessions with optional group work and family support. It is provided free of charge by the NHS and by services funded through the charity sector. For young people and other specific groups there are tailored pathways through CAMHS and dedicated youth services.
The hardest step is picking up the phone. After that, the adviser carries the conversation and helps you decide what comes next.
GamCare
National Gambling Helpline
How do I know whether my gambling is becoming a problem?
Common signs include spending more money on gambling than you planned, spending more time than you intended, borrowing to gamble, chasing losses with fresh deposits, hiding your gambling from family and friends, and noticing your work or relationships suffering as a result.
If one or more of those feel familiar, a conversation with GamCare or a self-assessment via begambleaware.org is a useful first step. A self-assessment is not a diagnosis but gives an indication of where you are and which next steps might fit.
What does professional treatment cost?
Confidential telephone support via the National Gambling Helpline and online information via BeGambleAware are completely free. NHS gambling clinics and treatment commissioned by BeGambleAware and GamCare are also free at the point of use. There are no insurance forms or referral fees to navigate.
For specific groups, such as young people or those without stable accommodation, additional pathways exist through Gordon Moody, local authority services and charities. If cost ever feels like a barrier, mention it during the first conversation; there is almost always a free route into support.
What can I do for someone else with a gambling problem?
If you are worried about someone in your circle, an open conversation is the best first step. Share your concerns without accusing, and listen to what the other person says about their own experience. Avoid ultimatums or threats, which tend to backfire and push the person away.
GamCare also offers dedicated support for friends and family. Advisers understand the dynamic and can provide practical tips on how to have the conversation, how to limit household financial damage and how to look after your own wellbeing while you support someone else.
Which software helps to block gambling?
Beyond GAMSTOP and the helpline, blocking software adds a technical layer that prevents access to gambling sites on your devices. Gamban and BetBlocker are the two best-known options. Both work on computers, smartphones and tablets, blocking tens of thousands of gambling sites worldwide. Once installed, the block is deliberately hard to remove.
Blocking software is a complement to GAMSTOP, not a substitute. It is particularly useful if you also want to stop yourself from visiting non-UK sites. Annual fees are modest, usually under £30 a year, and free licences are often available through treatment providers.
Take the first step today
A call to the National Gambling Helpline is free and stays confidential.