If gambling is causing difficulties for you or someone you know, a range of free, confidential support is available across the UK, and it is effective. This guide lists where to find gambling help in the UK. It is general information, and reaching out is a positive step, not a sign of weakness.
Help is available and effective
Whatever your situation, free and confidential help with gambling is available across the UK, and many people use it to recover and regain control. Understanding that effective support exists, and that reaching out works, is the most important message, as gambling difficulties are common and treatable, and the services available have helped many people, so seeking help is a positive, hopeful step rather than something to feel ashamed of or to put off.
The National Gambling Helpline
The National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133, with trained advisers for anyone affected by gambling. Understanding that the National Gambling Helpline provides free, around-the-clock support on 0808 8020 133 gives you a clear first point of contact, as it is available at any time to anyone affected by gambling, whether you are gambling yourself or worried about someone else, offering confidential help and guidance towards further support.
GamCare
GamCare provides information, support and free treatment for problem gambling, including online chat and a forum, through gamcare.org.uk. It runs the National Gambling Helpline. Understanding that GamCare offers a range of free support, from information to treatment and online services, helps you access help in different ways, as it provides one-to-one support, group sessions, online chat and a community forum, making it a comprehensive source of help for anyone affected by gambling across the UK.
BeGambleAware
BeGambleAware, at begambleaware.org, provides information, advice and tools on safer gambling and where to find help, raising awareness and signposting support. Understanding that BeGambleAware is a key source of information and signposting helps you find guidance and routes to help, as it offers clear advice on safer gambling, self-assessment tools, and links to support services, serving as a helpful starting point for understanding gambling harms and how to address them.
GAMSTOP
GAMSTOP lets you exclude yourself, free, from all GB-licensed online operators in one step. Our guide on GAMSTOP covers it. Understanding that GAMSTOP provides free, comprehensive online self-exclusion helps you take a firm step to block online gambling, as registering once at gamstop.co.uk excludes you from all GB-licensed online sites and apps for your chosen period, providing a strong barrier that complements the other support available.
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous offers free peer support through meetings, where people affected by gambling share experiences and support each other towards recovery. Understanding that Gamblers Anonymous provides mutual peer support through its meetings helps you see a community-based option, as connecting with others who have faced similar difficulties can be a powerful source of understanding and encouragement, offering a supportive fellowship alongside or instead of other forms of help, according to what suits you.
Support for family and friends
Family and friends affected by someone else's gambling can get support too, including the National Gambling Helpline and dedicated family support such as Gam-Anon. Our guide on supporting someone covers this. Understanding that support exists for affected others, not just the person gambling, helps you find help if you are affected, as services and groups like Gam-Anon are there specifically for family and friends, recognising that gambling affects those around the person too and that they deserve support.
NHS gambling support
The NHS provides gambling support services, including specialist clinics, for those experiencing serious gambling-related harm. Understanding that NHS gambling support is available, including specialist treatment, helps you see that medical help exists for serious difficulties, as the NHS offers dedicated services and clinics for gambling harm, providing professional treatment for those who need it, which can be accessed through referral or self-referral depending on the service, often alongside the other support available.
Blocking software
Gambling-blocking software can block access to gambling sites and apps on your devices, adding a practical barrier alongside self-exclusion. Understanding that blocking software provides an extra technical safeguard helps you reinforce your other steps, as installing software that prevents access to gambling sites on your phone and computer adds a further layer of protection, making it harder to gamble impulsively and complementing tools like GAMSTOP and self-exclusion for a stronger overall barrier.
Debt advice
If gambling has led to debt, free debt advice is available from services that can help you manage and address it, easing a major source of stress. Understanding that free debt advice is available, and an important part of recovery, helps you tackle the financial side, as gambling-related debt can be overwhelming, and dedicated debt advice services can help you understand your options and make a plan, relieving stress and supporting your wider recovery alongside gambling support.
Self-help tools
Alongside services, self-help tools like deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion help you manage your gambling. Our guide on responsible gambling tools covers these. Understanding that self-help tools complement formal support helps you build a full set of safeguards, as using limits, breaks and self-exclusion at licensed operators gives you practical control, which works best combined with the support of services like the helpline and GamCare for a comprehensive approach to staying safe.
Recovery is possible
Above all, recovery from gambling difficulties is possible, and many people regain control with support. Reaching out is the first step. Understanding that recovery is genuinely achievable, with the right help, offers hope, as the difficulties gambling can cause are not permanent, and with support many people move forward and rebuild, so however hard things feel, reaching out for help is a positive and worthwhile step towards a better situation.
so however hard things feel, reaching out for help is a positive and worthwhile step towards a better situation.Taking the first step
The hardest part is often the first step, but it can be as simple as calling the National Gambling Helpline, visiting a support website, or telling someone you trust. From there, the services can guide you towards the right help for your situation. Our guide on staying in control covers self-help habits too. Understanding that taking the first step, however small, opens the way to support helps you act, as you do not need to have everything worked out to reach out; a single call or message is enough to begin, and the people you contact are there to help you find your way forward.
Getting support
Please do not hesitate to use these sources of help if you need them.
If gambling is causing you or someone you know any concern, free and confidential support is available from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day, and online through GamCare and BeGambleAware. You are not alone, and help is always available.
In short
Free, confidential gambling help across the UK includes the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133, 24/7, run by GamCare), GamCare (gamcare.org.uk), BeGambleAware (begambleaware.org), GAMSTOP for online self-exclusion, Gamblers Anonymous peer support, family support such as Gam-Anon, NHS gambling services, blocking software, and free debt advice, alongside self-help tools like limits and time-outs. Recovery is possible, and reaching out is a positive step. Help is always available.
Explore more in our Safer Gambling guides.