Read this if gambling is causing you harm
If your gambling is causing distress to you or the people around you — financial, emotional, relational — please stop reading this site and call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Calls from UK landlines and mobiles are free. The service is confidential, and you do not have to identify yourself to receive help.
Immediate resources
GamCare — Runs the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) and offers live-chat, one-to-one and family support. Their site has a step-by-step overview of what to expect from a first contact.
GambleAware — Commissions gambling harm research and treatment services. Their site lists local treatment providers by postcode.
Gambling Therapy — Online support in multiple languages, with dedicated support for people affected by someone else's gambling.
Gamblers Anonymous — Peer-support meetings across the UK using the twelve-step model. Free to attend, open to anyone. GamAnon runs parallel meetings for family members.
GamStop — The national online self-exclusion scheme. Registration takes five minutes and covers every UKGC-licensed remote operator for six months, one year or five years.
Tools that add to GamStop
GamStop is a strong scheme within its perimeter, but it does not cover offshore casinos or land-based venues. Combining it with the tools below produces a much more robust harm-reduction stack. Our alternatives guide covers each of these in practical detail.
- Bank gambling blocks. Every major UK bank offers an in-app gambling block. Once enabled, a 48-hour cooling-off period applies before it can be disabled.
- Gamban and BetBlocker. Device-level blocking software that covers thousands of gambling websites including offshore operators. Both work on desktop and mobile.
- Self-Exclusion Deeds at premises-based venues if you also gamble in person.
Financial architecture matters
The physical arrangements of your accounts and cards make a substantial difference. If income lands in an account you have card access to, urge-to-deposit friction is low. If income lands in an account without card access, and modest weekly transfers move to a spending account, the friction is much higher. This is not a substitute for behavioural support, but it is a legitimate and evidence-supported step.
If you are supporting someone else
Family members and close friends of people affected by gambling harm have their own set of needs, and their own set of support services. GamCare's family support is a good first port of call. GamAnon offers peer-support meetings modelled on Al-Anon for the family members of Alcoholics Anonymous participants. The GambleAware site has step-by-step guidance on starting a conversation with a family member whose gambling is causing concern.
Age and eligibility
The legal minimum age for most gambling in Great Britain is 18. National Lottery products are available from 18. Some categories of gaming machine and society lottery participation are permitted from 16 or unrestricted. If you are under 18 and are gambling, please contact the National Gambling Helpline for age-appropriate support.
Site position
This site publishes editorial content about the gambling sector, including material that concerns operators outside the UK Gambling Commission's licensing perimeter. We do not accept, process or facilitate wagers. Our editorial position on the offshore sector is set out in full on the homepage. Nothing on this site should be read as encouragement or advice to gamble.