Where should you or someone you know go, if there’s a problem?
First of all, it might seem like a big deal to admit that there’s a problem – and it is. Problem gambling can destroy lives. But people admit they have a problem every day, and nobody thinks any less of them. In fact, it’s a sign of greater strength to admit there’s a problem, and even greater again to seek out help.
Below is a list of organisations who deal with people who have gambling problems every day. They’re the best people to contact first.
SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS
GamCare
www.gamcare.org.uk
- GamCare operate the National Gambling Helpline and offer confidential information, advice and support for anyone harmed by gambling in Great Britain. The Helpline is open 24 hours every day on Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via Live Chat. Advisers will listen to you, they won’t judge and your conversation is confidential.
- GamCare offer a moderated online forum and daily online group chatrooms to enable those affected by gambling harms to connect with others in similar situations, share their experience and support one another.
- A simple self-assessment tool which allows you to consider your gambling behaviour.
- A list of financial services organisations in the UK that currently offer gambling blocks on debit cards.
Gambling therapy
www.gamblingtherapy.org
Gambling Therapy are a global online support service, offering advice in multiple languages for people who have been adversely affected by gambling.
BeGambleAware
https://www.begambleaware.org
BeGambleAware provide information, advice and direct people to support to help keep people safe from gambling harms.
You can find out more about the National Gambling Treatment Service, a network of organisations working together to provide confidential treatment and support for anyone experiencing gambling-related harms, free to access across England, Scotland and Wales.
BeGambleAware also offer information on how to limit exposure to gambling advertising across social media platforms.
Gamblers Anonymous
www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Dunlewey Addiction Services
dunlewey.net
Samaritans
https://www.samaritans.org
BLOCKING GAMBLING SITES
If you are looking to take a break from gambling online, consider installing Gamban. Gamban is a software product that blocks all types of online gambling sites and apps on all personal devices. Gamban is easy to use and provides an effective barrier to online gambling. Gamban can be simply installed on Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices.
Betfair are offering a free 6 month subscription to download this on an unlimited number of devices. To avail of this free software visit the website here.
Gamban.com
Gamstop lets you put controls in place to restrict your online gambling activities.
It’s a free service that enables you to self exclude from gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing.
You can find information on other multi-operator self-exclusion schemes here.
Gamstop.co.uk
MOSES lets you restrict your betting in multiple betting shops – usually the ones near where you work or live. It works by uploading a photo, that is passed on to the shops in your area, who then intervene if one of the staff recognise an individual who has self-excluded.
Self-exclusion.co.uk
DEBT AND FINANCIAL ADVICE
Often, gambling can lead to problems with unpaid loans or credit card debt, which can mean there’s an urge to gamble to fund these. Do not do this.
Instead, there are organisations that can help with making a plan to addressing your debt. It’s never as bad as you think it is, so these organisations really can help.
See our ‘Tools’ page as well for ways that can help you stop gambling immediately.