List of Help Centers for People Who Gamble and Their Families (Updated 2023)

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Do you or someone in your family have a problem with gambling?

Are you looking for support? You`ll find it right here, whatever your problem is.

Below you can find useful tips and lists of organisations that provide help and valuable advice on all issues linked with gambling.

Stay in Control

It's always easier to prevent a problem than to treat it. If gambling is your idea of fun, make sure you follow these rules in order not to make it your problem:

Need a free confidential help?

Treat Addiction

Not sure whether you have an addiction? Look through these 10 signs and check how many of them you already have:

1. You spend more money gambling than you can afford.
2. You frequently experience stress, anxiety, irritation or feeling of guilt.
3. You are trying to win back money that you have already lost.
4. You have arguments with family about spending money on gambling.
5. You almost do not have friends that are not players.
6. You are lying about gambling.
7. You are losing interest in any other activities except making bets.
8. You are borrowing money to gamble.
9. You need to bet more and more money to feel the same thrill.
10. You find it difficult to stop gambling or to take a break.

If you feel that some statements on the list are right about you or someone in your family, it`s time to seek professional support.

Stay Alive

Here you can find suicide prevention resources. Learn what to do if you suspect someone around you is going to commit suicide.

In case you are the one who has lost all hopes, why don`t you make one last step and try changing the situation with our help? You have nothing to lose, so follow the link to learn more.

Manage Your Debts

Gambling is one of the most expensive forms of addiction because it`s limited only by the amount of money a player can find (earn, borrow, or even steal). If you`re already struggling with debts, it`s time to get professional assistance.

Free and impartial money advice, set up by government - Money Advice Service. It provides you with a valuable piece of money advice, both in their articles and individual consultations. On its website, you can find guides that help you promote your finances and deal with debts and calculators that help to keep track of your expenses and plan ahead. Moreover, you can get free advice via e-mail or by phone.

Tel: 0800 138 7777 (English), 0800 138 0555 (Welsh) (Closed on Sundays)

Chat: Link

Mail: enquiries@maps.org.uk

Website: moneyadviceservice.org.uk

StepChange Debt Charity - Free Expert Debt Advice. It is the charity-based organization with the name recognized not only in the UK. They have already helped more than 5 million people and are ready to help you. With them, you can get free and confidential advice by phone or online, and find the best debt solutions for your individual circumstances. Moreover, they will guide you through all the stages and provide emotional support.

Tel: 0800 138 1111 (Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-4pm)

Chat: Link

Mail: client.service@stepchange.org

Website: stepchange.org

Stop Gambling

Sometimes, there is the only way out of the situation - to stop gambling completely once and forever. But what if you do not trust yourself and feel that you will hardly resist temptation, even if the decision is already made? In this case, you might consider help from Gamstop organisation.

Popular Myths about Gambling

To end with, we are offering you to learn 5 most popular myths about gambling and to stay forearmed:

🔔 Myth 1. “Gambling is not a problem if I can afford it.”

In fact, gambling addiction has lots of other consequences except the financial ones – emotional, social, etc. Moreover, when it comes to money, with the scale of your bets, only the sky is the limit, so everyone needs to be careful.

🔔 Myth 2. “Your luck must change once, and you will eventually start winning.”

Actually, your chances to win are equal at every point of a game. For example, even if you have already bet on half of the roulette pockets, they still remain to be at the same place, and they still have the equal chances to come on the next spin.

🔔 Myth 3. “You are a problem gambler only if you are betting every day.”

That is not a necessary condition. The key point to consider is not the frequency of playing, but the presence of unfavourable consequences, can they be financial, marital, social, legal or psychological.

🔔 Myth 4. “It is parents or partners of problem gamblers who are to blame.”

Very frequently, addicted people try to blame their close people (parents, spouses, friends) instead of finding the root of the problem inside. It is not right. If you are the friend or the family member of a problem gambler, don`t let yourself be blamed and help the gambler instead.

🔔 Myth 5. “It is easy to recognise a problem gambler.”

Actually, it is not. Most problem gamblers deny the problem and try to hide the consequences of people around them.

Get help today!

If you suspect that you or someone you know is a problem gambler, ask for help immediately. It`s better to be safe than sorry, and recognise the problem before it has already done damage. Select the organization from our list and get in touch right now!