If you or someone you know is affected by gambling, there are services and tools available to help. There are several service and support options available which will be able to direct you to the most appropriate option for yourself or someone you know.
What to do if you or your loved one is gambling
If you're worried about your gambling or the gambling of a loved one, there are things you can do to get support:
- Limit how much you gamble or take time away from gambling sites, apps and shops by using gambling blocking tools, you can set the time limit to suit you.
- Talk to someone about your gambling, whether it is a family member, friend or through the anonymous national helpline (0808 8020 133).
- If you're worried about a loved one who gambles; there are services who can support you. You can help them to register their details on gambling blocking tools and your own details for a sense of security.
- You can speak to your bank about a bank block that stops you from making card payments into online gambling accounts or in-person betting shops.
- You can install gambling blocking software on your devices for free.
- If you're worried about debt as a result of gambling, you can speak to a local debt advice service or the national Debtline (0808 808 4000)
- Pay important bills, such as your mortgage, on payday before you might gamble - you can set up direct debits or standing orders for this
- Set a spending limit in advance. If you're playing online you can set a limit on your account; you can write it down; you can separate the funds into another account; or tell someone you trust what your limit is, so they can remind you.
- Don't chase your losses: if you've lost the money that you set as your limit, it's time to walk away. Trying to win back your losses often leads to even bigger losses.
Many of the services listed below will contact you within 24-48 hours, however using the advice above can be an important step to help you control gambling related actions.
Where to get support
Making Every Contact Count (MECC)
The Making Every Contact Count webpage provides information and signposting to local and national services covering many topics which includes gambling-harms.
Gambling Harms - Contacts that Count
Chapter One
Chapter One is a safe space to find information that will help you understand the root causes of gambling addiction, discover practical advice on how to stop gambling, and learn exactly where to access the right gambling help.
Gambling Harms Support & Information | Chapter One | Chapter One
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others do the same.
07457404636
Ne.info@gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) - England, Wales and Ulster.
Community Hub South, Wynyard Road, Hartlepool, Teesside, TS25 3LQ
Open: Monday 7-9pm
The Northern NHS Gambling Service
The NHS Northern Gambling Service provides specialist addiction therapies and treatment for adults who are experiencing gambling harms and addiction, as well as therapy for any related mental health difficulties. The service also begins the journey of sustained recovery and helps to connect you to peer support and community resources and connections, should that be relevant. The only criteria for referral is that you are concerned about gambling and experiencing some harm.
0300 300 1490
Home - NHS Northern Gambling Service
GamCare
Rapid access support for adults over 18, including CBT, motivational interviewing and peer support. A 5-step programme for affected others. Call, live chat via the website, WhatsApp or email and connect with others through the online community. WhatsApp with a Helpline advisor on 0808 8020 133.
0808 8020 133
GamCare - Founder of the National Gambling Helpline
Open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for phone support, live chat and WhatsApp. Scheduled face-to-face and structured talking therapies during standard working hours.
For information on self-exclusion, please visit the GamCare information page: Self-exclusion - GamCare
NECA
Free, flexible and confidential services available to anyone aged 16+. Including brief interventions, CBT-informed treatment, motivational interviewing, support groups, aftercare, relapse prevention and affected others’ support.
0191 562 3309
Open: Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm
Recover Together
Recover together is an independent UK charity shaped by lived experience, they help people across the UK build positive and purposeful lives after gambling harm and challenge the stigma that can hold recovery back. They offer online one-to-one coaching, group support, and community spaces for individuals and affected families across Yorkshire, the East Midlands, and the North East. Including early recovery support; Woman. Empowered; Recovery Community; Recovery Coaching; Families & Affected Others; and Gambling Recovery Spaces.
Impact-Inspire
Impact-Inspire is a lived experience led organisation raising awareness of gambling-related harm, mental health and domestic abuse. Impact-Inspire exists to help individuals affected by gambling-related harm, domestic abuse and other life challenges access support, build understanding and make positive changes. Through lived experience, education and community partnerships, they work to reduce stigma, encourage early intervention and create safer, more informed communities.
Impact–Inspire CIC | Community Support & Awareness
Citizens Advice
Provides free, independent, and confidential advice to help people resolved money, legal, housing, consumer, and employment problems. Support is delivered nationally online, over the phone, and face-to-face locally.
01429 408401 (open: 9am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-4pm Friday)
enquiries@hartlepool.cabnet.org.uk
https://www.citizensadvice-hartlepool.org.uk
87 Park Road, Hartlepool, TS26 9HP
If U Care Share
Provides free and confidential suicide prevention, intervention, and bereavement support for adults and children aged six and over. If U Care Share offers bespoke emotional and practical care over the phone, via 24/7 test, or through in-person appointments.
Text IUCS to 85258
0191 387 5661 (Open: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm)
National Gambling Helpline
Call: 0808 8020 133 (free and available around the clock)
Self-exclusion and Blocking Tools
BetBlocker
BetBlocker offers free gambling blocking software that helps to reduce access to gambling websites and services.
GamStop
Gamstop Online is a free service that will stop you opening or using gambling accounts with all licensed online UK gambling companies. You can sign up for 6 months, 1 year or 5years.
Self-exclusion
You can ask a gambling company to stop you betting with them for a set length of time, this is called self-exclusion, it means you will be refused service from these venues and websites. If you think self-exclusion could work for you, make sure you exclude yourself from all the places where you may be tempted to gamble. Follow the link to GamCare for further information on the different types of self-exclusion.
Banks
Many UK banks offer free tools to block gambling transactions on your bank cards. Contact your bank for more information.
Limiting gambling content and ads on social media
Unfollowing, muting or blocking any social media accounts or pages can help to limit the amount of gambling-related content you see online. GamStop have guidance on how to set up controls on individual social media platforms.
Limiting gambling content on social media | Gamstop Online
Gambling Harms Needs Assessment
Gambling harms needs assessment looks at how gambling is affecting people in a local area and who may need support.