Help to Stop Gambling | Free Gambling Support | You're Not Alone
If gambling has started to feel difficult to control, you are not weak, careless, or beyond help. Gambling problems can affect relationships, mental health, physical wellbeing, work, and finances — and support is available whether you are worried about your own gambling or someone else’s. The NHS explains that gambling can harm many areas of life, including relationships, physical and mental health, and finances, while GambleAware offers free, confidential advice, tools, and support for people affected by their own gambling or someone else’s.
The most important thing to know is this: you do not have to deal with gambling alone. In Great Britain, the National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133, with support also available through live chat and digital services.
If you are in immediate danger, feel unable to keep yourself safe, or are thinking about harming yourself, call 999, go to A&E, or contact urgent mental health support through NHS 111. The NHS also lists Samaritans on 116 123 as a free 24-hour helpline for people who need to talk.
What Does It Mean to Need Help to Stop Gambling?
Needing help to stop gambling does not always mean someone is gambling every day or losing huge amounts of money. Sometimes the warning signs are quieter: hiding gambling activity, chasing losses, borrowing money, feeling anxious after betting, or promising to stop and then gambling again. The NHS suggests asking questions such as whether you bet more than you can afford to lose, chase losses, borrow or sell things to gamble, feel guilty, or experience stress and anxiety connected to gambling.
Gambling harm can happen to anyone. It may affect people who bet on sports, play online casino games, use betting apps, buy scratchcards, visit casinos, play bingo, use gaming machines, or gamble informally with friends. GambleAware states that gambling harms can affect anyone and provides tools such as a self-assessment, spend calculator, advice for finances, and support for family and friends.
A common sign of gambling harm is chasing losses — trying to win back money already lost. This can create a cycle where the next bet feels like the solution, but often increases stress, debt, secrecy, and emotional pressure. The NHS includes chasing losses as one of the key screening questions for gambling-related harm.
Signs Gambling May Be Becoming a Problem
You may benefit from free gambling support if you recognise any of these signs:
- You gamble with money needed for rent, bills, food, family, or debt repayments. The NHS highlights betting more than you can afford to lose and financial problems as warning signs of gambling-related harm.
- You feel anxious, guilty, ashamed, or low after gambling. The NHS notes that gambling can affect mental health and may be linked with stress or anxiety.
- You hide gambling from your partner, family, friends, or colleagues. GambleAware provides support not only for people who gamble but also for family and friends affected by someone else’s gambling.
- You keep trying to stop or cut down but find yourself returning to gambling. The Gambling Commission describes self-exclusion as a tool for people who recognise gambling has become harmful and want support to stop.
- You gamble to escape stress, loneliness, boredom, anger, grief, or pressure. GamCare offers advisers, peer forums, chatrooms, self-guided tools, and treatment options for people affected by gambling-related harm. ,
- You borrow money, use overdrafts, sell possessions, or take loans to gamble. The NHS includes borrowing money or selling anything to get money to gamble as a key warning question.
If any of these feel familiar, it does not mean you have failed. It means now is a good time to create distance between you and gambling — and to involve support.
Free Gambling Support: Where to Get Help Today
- Call the National Gambling Helpline
The National Gambling Helpline is available free on 0808 8020 133 and operates 24/7. GamCare says trained advisers can provide information, advice, and support by phone, live chat, WhatsApp, and other digital services.
This is a good first step if you feel overwhelmed, unsure what to do next, or need to speak to someone confidentially. You do not need to have everything figured out before calling.
- Use live chat or online support
If speaking on the phone feels too difficult, GamCare provides live chat, WhatsApp support, forums, group chatrooms, email support, and MyGamCare tools to help track urges, mood, goals, and recovery progress.
Online support can be especially useful if you are worried about being overheard, feel embarrassed, or want to take the first step privately.
- Find local or specialist treatment
The NHS provides specialist gambling treatment clinics in England, with teams that can support recovery, provide therapy, treat gambling-related problems, and support family or friends where needed.
From April 2026, NHS England took commissioning responsibility for gambling-related harms treatment in England, with the treatment pathway covering referral, triage, aftercare, and support delivered through NHS and voluntary/community sector organisations.
- Get support as a family member or friend
Gambling harm often affects more than one person. Partners, parents, children, friends, and colleagues may experience stress, debt worries, mistrust, conflict, or fear. GambleAware provides tailored advice for people affected by someone else’s gambling, including a friends and family check-in tool.
If someone you care about is gambling, you deserve support too — even if they are not ready to seek help.
Practical Steps to Stop Gambling Today
Stopping gambling is often easier when you use several layers of protection at the same time. GambleAware recommends practical steps such as blocking gambling accounts, installing blocking software, blocking gambling payments through your bank, and self-excluding from gambling companies or venues.
Step 1: Block online gambling with GAMSTOP
GAMSTOP is a free national self-exclusion scheme that helps people in Great Britain block access to gambling websites and apps licensed by the Gambling Commission. ,
The Gambling Commission explains that GAMSTOP is an online multi-operator self-exclusion scheme and that gambling businesses must participate in it.
GambleAware says registration takes around five minutes and prevents you from opening or using accounts with online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain for the period you choose.
Important: Keep your details up to date. The Gambling Commission notes that GAMSTOP works by matching the details you provide, so changes to your name, address, email, or other information may affect how well the block protects you.
Step 2: Install gambling blocking software
Blocking software can stop gambling websites and apps from loading on your phone, tablet, or computer. GamCare explains that blocking software is a type of programme or app that prevents access to websites or services and says many people find it useful when they want to quit gambling.
Examples listed by GamCare include BetBlocker, Gamban, Gamblock, and Net Nanny, with some tools being free and others paid.
Blocking software is not a cure by itself, but it can create a pause between an urge and an action. That pause can be enough time to call someone, leave the room, go for a walk, or use another coping strategy.
Step 3: Add a gambling block through your bank
Many UK banks offer gambling blocks that stop gambling transactions on your card. GamCare describes bank gambling blocks as free tools offered by most UK banks and says they can help recovery when combined with self-exclusion and blocking software.
GamCare also notes that gambling blocks are usually applied at card level, meaning you may need to activate them on each card you use.
Some banks include a cooling-off period before a gambling block can be removed, often 48 or 72 hours, giving you time to reconsider before gambling transactions are allowed again.
Step 4: Self-exclude from betting shops, casinos, and venues
If you gamble in person, you can ask venues to exclude you. The Gambling Commission explains that self-exclusion allows people to take active steps to remove themselves from gambling online or in premises, and businesses must take reasonable steps to stop someone from gambling during their exclusion.
GambleAware also recommends self-excluding from in-person venues such as betting shops and casinos where relevant.
Step 5: Remove gambling marketing
Gambling promotions can trigger urges, especially during sport, payday, stressful periods, or late nights. The Gambling Commission says that once a self-exclusion agreement is made, gambling businesses must remove your name and details from marketing databases they use.
You can also unsubscribe from emails, block gambling-related social media content, and ask someone you trust to help you remove betting apps from your devices.
How to Handle Gambling Urges
Urges can feel powerful, but they rise and fall like waves. The goal is not to “win” an argument with the urge; the goal is to delay acting on it until it passes.
Try this simple plan:
- Pause for 10 minutes. Do not open a betting app or website.
- Move your body. Leave the room, walk outside, shower, stretch, or change location.
- Tell someone. Message a trusted person: “I’m having an urge to gamble. Can you stay with me for a bit?”
- Use a block. Make sure GAMSTOP, blocking software, and bank blocks are active. GambleAware recommends combining blocking tools because each adds another layer of protection.
- Contact support. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or use live chat. GamCare says advisers are available 24 hours a day. ,
Urges often become stronger when you are tired, stressed, isolated, paid, bored, drinking alcohol, or watching sport. Identifying your personal triggers can help you build a stronger recovery plan.
Dealing with Gambling Debt and Money Worries
Money problems can feel terrifying after gambling losses, but hiding the issue usually makes stress worse. The first step is to stop further gambling access, then get support with debt, budgeting, and repayment priorities.
GamCare says gambling blocks can be used as part of recovery and are best used alongside blocking software and self-exclusion schemes.
GambleAware also provides advice on managing finances, including tracking expenses, setting limits, and finding support for debt.
If you share finances with a partner or family member, consider asking for temporary help managing access to money. This could include lowering spending limits, removing saved cards from websites, handing over control of spare cards, or setting up separate accounts for bills.
Supporting Someone Who Is Struggling with Gambling
If someone you love is gambling, try to approach the conversation with concern rather than blame. Shame can make gambling more secretive, while calm support can make it easier for the person to admit what is happening.
You might say:
“I’m not here to judge you. I’m worried about how gambling is affecting you, and I want us to get support.”
Encourage practical action, not just promises. Suggest calling the National Gambling Helpline, registering with GAMSTOP, installing blocking software, and activating bank gambling blocks. These are recognised support tools recommended by organisations including GamCare, GambleAware, and the Gambling Commission.
You should also protect yourself. GambleAware offers support for family and friends affected by gambling, and GamCare says its services are available to anyone affected by gambling-related harm.
When Gambling Affects Mental Health
Gambling harm and mental health distress can become deeply connected. People may gamble because they feel low, anxious, lonely, or hopeless — and then feel worse after losing money or control.
If gambling is seriously affecting your mental health, the NHS advises seeking urgent help. If you feel suicidal or unable to stay safe, call 999, go to A&E, call NHS 111, or contact Samaritans on 116 123.
You are not a burden for asking for help. You are a person going through something difficult — and support exists for this exact reason.
Recovery Is Possible
Many people recover from gambling harm with the right combination of support, honesty, protection tools, treatment, and time. GamCare shares recovery stories and offers a recovery toolkit that includes blocking software, self-exclusion, money management, self-guided resources, peer support, and MyGamCare tools.
Recovery does not have to be perfect. A lapse does not erase progress. If you gamble after trying to stop, the next step is not to give up — it is to strengthen the plan, talk to someone, and add more protection.
The phrase “you’re not alone” is not just comforting; it is practical. There are trained advisers, NHS clinics, charities, peer communities, blocking tools, bank controls, and self-exclusion schemes designed to help you put distance between yourself and gambling.
Quick Action Plan: What to Do in the Next 24 Hours
If you want help to stop gambling today, start here:
- Call GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133, available 24/7.
- Register with GAMSTOP to block UK-licensed online gambling accounts.
- Install blocking software such as BetBlocker or Gamban on your phone, tablet, and computer.
- Turn on gambling blocks with your bank through your banking app, phone banking, or branch.
- Tell one trusted person what is happening so you are not carrying it alone.
- Remove betting apps, saved cards, and gambling emails from your devices.
- If you feel unsafe or suicidal, call 999, NHS 111, or Samaritans on 116 123.
FAQs
Is gambling support free?
Yes. In Great Britain, GambleAware provides free, confidential advice, tools, and support, and the National Gambling Helpline is free and available 24/7 on 0808 8020 133.
Can I stop gambling without telling anyone?
You can take private steps such as using GAMSTOP, blocking software, bank blocks, and online support. However, recovery is often stronger when at least one trusted person or professional support service is involved. GamCare offers confidential help by phone, live chat, WhatsApp, forums, and email support.
What is the best way to stop online gambling?
A strong approach is to combine GAMSTOP, gambling blocking software, bank gambling blocks, and professional or peer support. GambleAware specifically recommends layering tools because each adds protection.
Does GAMSTOP block every gambling site?
GAMSTOP blocks access to gambling websites and apps licensed in Great Britain, but it is most effective when your details are accurate and up to date. The Gambling Commission warns that GAMSTOP relies on matching consumer details, so keeping information current is important.
Will a bank gambling block affect my credit score?
GamCare states that using a bank gambling block is not shared with credit reference agencies and does not affect your credit score.
What if I am worried about someone else’s gambling?
You can still get help. GambleAware offers advice and tools for family and friends, and GamCare supports anyone affected by gambling-related harm.
Final Word
If gambling is hurting your life, your relationships, your finances, or your mental health, help is available now. You do not need to wait until things get worse. You do not need to hit “rock bottom.” And you do not need to solve everything in one day.
Start with one step: call, chat, block, self-exclude, or tell someone.
Free gambling support is available. Recovery is possible. You’re not alone.
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