Where to get help for problem gambling: 6 types of support available now

Help for problem gambling exists in many forms across the UK, from immediate phone support to residential treatment programmes. Children and Families brings together the main services available, how they work and who they are designed for. By the end of this page you will understand the difference between a helpline, peer support and clinical treatment, and know which number to call today.

National helplines offer immediate confidential support

The National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, is available every hour of every day on 0808 8020 133. The call is free and does not appear on phone bills. Trained advisers listen without judgement, help clarify what is happening and explain what options exist. They do not diagnose or tell a caller what to do.

The helpline serves people who gamble and those affected by someone else's gambling. A single conversation can reduce the sense of isolation that many callers describe. Advisers can also arrange a callback at a time that suits, refer to local services or book a place on a group session.

BeGambleAware at https://www.begambleaware.org provides online chat, email support and a directory of services. The site explains how different forms of help work and what to expect from each. Both organisations are independent of gambling operators.

Online counselling and peer groups bring structure without travel

GamCare runs weekly online groups where people who gamble talk to others in the same situation, guided by a trained facilitator. Each session lasts around an hour. Attendees remain anonymous if they wish. The group format helps people see patterns in their own behaviour and hear how others have managed difficult moments.

One-to-one counselling is also available online, usually over video or phone. A counsellor works with the person over several weeks to understand triggers, build coping strategies and address underlying issues such as anxiety or debt stress. Sessions are booked in advance and follow a clear structure.

These services are free. Waiting times vary by region and demand, but most people are seen within a fortnight of first contact.

Residential treatment provides intensive support away from daily triggers

Gordon Moody at https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk offers residential programmes lasting several weeks. A person moves into a therapeutic community, away from the environment where gambling took hold. Each day includes group therapy, individual counselling, skills workshops and physical activity.

The programmes are designed for people whose gambling has caused serious harm and who have struggled to stop in other ways. Residents leave with a relapse-prevention plan, ongoing support and links to local services. Spaces are limited and referral often comes through a GP or the National Gambling Helpline.

Self-exclusion tools block access across licensed sites

GamStop at https://www.gamstop.co.uk is the free national self-exclusion scheme. A person registers once and is immediately blocked from all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain. The block covers betting, bingo, casino games, lottery and poker. It cannot be undone early.

The registration takes a few minutes and requires basic personal details and proof of identity. GamStop does not judge, counsel or share information beyond what is needed to enforce the exclusion. The block lasts for a minimum period chosen during registration. Once set, it removes the quick decision to gamble online.

Blocking software such as Gamban (https://gamban.com, paid subscription) and BetBlocker (https://betblocker.org, free) work across all devices and prevent access to gambling sites whether licensed or not. They stop both deliberate visits and accidental triggers from adverts or search results.

Support for families addresses the wider impact of gambling harm

Family members often carry financial stress, broken trust and the exhaustion of trying to manage someone else's behaviour. GamCare and Gordon Moody run groups specifically for partners, parents and adult children affected by another person's gambling. These groups meet online or in person.

A separate space allows family members to focus on their own wellbeing, set boundaries and understand what they can and cannot control. The groups also address practical concerns such as protecting joint finances, talking to children about what is happening and recognising when enabling behaviour has taken hold.

Counselling for family members works in much the same way as for the person gambling: weekly sessions, confidential, free. Many find that speaking to someone outside the household reduces the feeling of carrying the problem alone.

Protecting children in a household affected by gambling

Children notice changes in mood, money and routine even when nothing is said directly. Age-appropriate honesty helps more than silence. Teenagers in particular benefit from understanding that gambling is the issue, not them, and that adults are working to fix it.

Parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio prevents children from accessing gambling sites on shared devices. These tools also block gambling adverts and filter search results. A device used by a minor should never be used to gamble.

Steps you can take today to access help

1. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 and speak to an adviser about what is happening and what you need.
2. Visit GamStop and complete the self-exclusion registration if you gamble online and want immediate access blocked.
3. Book an initial counselling session through GamCare's website or ask your GP to refer you to local services.
4. Install blocking software on every device in the household to remove triggers and protect others who share those devices.
5. Write down one boundary or limit you can set this week and tell someone you trust what it is.

How different services compare

What to do when the person gambling refuses help

A person may not be ready to acknowledge the problem or may promise to stop without outside support. Family members can still access counselling and peer groups for themselves. Understanding the nature of gambling harm helps when setting boundaries, protecting finances and deciding what to say.

Forcing someone into treatment rarely works. What does help is consistency, calm and removing the means to continue. That might mean closing joint accounts, taking control of household bills or stopping loans. Each family's situation differs, and a counsellor who specialises in gambling harm can help clarify what is possible.

Getting help is a sign of dealing with the problem

Reaching out does not mean failure. It means recognising that gambling harm is real and that trained support exists. Many people wait years before making the first call, often because they believe they should be able to stop alone. The evidence shows that structured help shortens the time to recovery and reduces the damage along the way.

Support services across the UK are designed for people at every stage: those who gamble, those who live with someone who gambles, those who have stopped but fear relapse and those who are trying to repair relationships. No situation is too small or too far gone to be worth a conversation.

If gambling is affecting you or someone close to you, GamCare is available on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day. BeGambleAware at https://www.begambleaware.org offers online chat and email support. Gordon Moody at https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk provides residential and online treatment. GamStop at https://www.gamstop.co.uk blocks access to licensed gambling sites across Great Britain. All services are confidential. Gambling is restricted to those aged 18 and over.

This article is provided for general information purposes only. Children and Families is an independent information portal about support for families and children affected by someone's gambling. We do not provide personal advice, counselling or treatment. For professional support, contact the organisations listed above.

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