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

Man playing online poker picture

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:

  • ✔️
    Spend more free time non-gambling than gambling
  • ✔️
    Communicate with people offline
  • ✔️
    Pay all important bills before you gamble to avoid running into debts
  • ✖️
    Do not view gambling as a way to earn money
  • ✖️
    Do not have only gamblers as your friends
  • ✖️
    Do not conceal your gambling or financial problems

Need a free confidential help?

begambleaware logo

BeGambleAware : Gambling Help & Gambling Addiction. It is the charity-founded service. It is aimed at helping people make a smart and informed decision about their gambling habits. Recommended for all who seek information and advice.

Tel: 0808 8020 133 

Chat: Link

Website: begambleaware.org

afergamblinguk.org logo

Safer Gambling UK. It is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes safer gambling in the UK. They aim to create a conversation with customers, staff and the wider public about gambling safely, what tools can help, and where to find more advice and support.

Tel: 0808 8020 133

Contacts: Link

Website: safergamblinguk.org

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.

gamcare.org.uk logo

Gamcare - The leading provider of support for anyone affected by problem gambling in Great Britain. It has already saved thousands of lives and is willing to help everyone who free information, useful advice and non-judgmental support.

Tel: 0808 8020 133

Website: gamcare.org.uk

Forum: GamCare Forum available 24/7 

gamblersanonymous.org.uk logo

Gamblers Anonymous. This fellowship provides aid to compulsive gamblers in England, Wales and Ulster. On this site, you can find a forum or a chat room, get useful resources and assign for a live meeting.

Tel: 0330 094 0322

Mail: info@gamblersanonymous.org.uk

Website: gamblersanonymous.org.uk

National Debtline logo

GamAnon UK - You are not alone. This organization is a kid of Gamblers Anonymous. Though, it is not for gamblers, but for their families and spouses who seek support. GamAnon organises meetings for those living with the addicted and advises on rebuilding their lives.

Website: gamanon.org.uk

GamAnon groups: find the full list here 

uk-rehab.com logo

Gambling Addiction Information | UK Rehab. On this website, you can find lots of valuable information about addictions. And not only gambling but also drugs, alcohol, internet, sex and other kinds of dependencies. If necessary, you can apply for rehabilitation in one of UK Rehab clinics.

Tel: 02038 115 619 

Chat: Link 

Website: uk-rehab.com

The Gambling Therapy logo

Get practical support with your gambling problem | Gambling Therapy. Here you can get the multilingual practical support with your gambling problem or seek assistance if your close person is a gambler. Main services include phone and e-mail support, online groups and forums, and real-time meetings.

Website: gamblingtherapy.org 

gordonmoody.org.uk logo

Gordon Moody Association. It is a charity organisation aimed at providing advice, education and therapeutic support for people who have a severe gambling addiction. If you feel that your life is out of control, do not hesitate to get in touch.

Tel: 01384 241 292

Mail: help@gordonmoody.org.uk

Website: gordonmoody.org.uk

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.

nhs.uk logo

Help for suicidal thoughts - NHS. It is the UK`s biggest health website, and it has the answers to your questions. If you are struggling with black thoughts, select one of the numbers and call right now.

Tel: 116 123 

Mail: jo@samaritans.org

Website: nhs.uk

mind.org.uk logo

Mind, the mental health charity - help for mental health problems. It is an organisation that helps people deal with their mental health problems. If you are one of them, do not give up and either ask for support or learn how you can help yourself here.

Tel: 0300 123 3393

Mail: info@mind.org.uk

Website: mind.org.uk

counselling-directory.org.uk logo

How to help someone who is suicidal - Counselling Directory. Here you can learn what to do if you believe that a person is thinking of committing suicide: detailed guide and suicide myths.

Tel: 0333 325 2500 (Monday 9.30 am to 5 pm, Tuesday - Thursday 9am to 5 pm, Friday 9am to 4 pm)

Website: counselling-directory.org.uk

Online form: Link

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.

National debtline logo

Debt advice | Debt help | National Debtline. It is a charity that offers free and confidential advice on managing your debts. They help you to understand what you`ve really got, to maximize your funds and to find a solution to your debt problem.

Tel: 0808 808 4000 

Chat: nationaldebtline.org/#

Website: nationaldebtline.org

Online tool: Link

debtadvicefoundation.org logo

Debt Advice Foundation | Call Our Debt Advisers Free On 0800 043 40 50. It is the charity-based UK registered national debt adviser. If you are worried about loans, credit or debts, ask Debt Advice Foundation for free advice.

Tel: 0800 043 40 50 (Monday-Friday 8 am to 6 pm) 

Website: debtadvicefoundation.org

citizensadvice.org.uk logo

Citizens Advice. It is more than a debt-managing service. It offers you a piece of advice on lots of different issues: law and courts, immigration, housing, money and debts, work, family, etc.

Tel: 03444 111 444 for England or 03444 77 20 20 for Wales (only available during working hours)

Chat: Link

Website: citizensadvice.org.uk

Money advice service logo

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

debtsupporttrust.org.uk logo

Debt Help Charity: Advice & Debt Solutions. It is a charity that has already helped thousands of people become debt-free. They are fully concentrated on UK debt solutions and can offer practical tips that truly work.

Tel: 0800 085 0226 

Mail: contact@debtsupporttrust.org.uk

Website: debtsupporttrust.org.uk

stepchange.org logo

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

gamblingcommission.gov.uk logo

Concern about a gambling business. Gambling Commission UK is responsible for safe and fair gambling. In case you have financial problems due to the casino scam or criminal activity, you can report about your problem here.

Tel: 0121 230 6666

Website: gamblingcommission.gov.uk

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.

gamstop.co.uk logo

GAMSTOP - Gambling Self-Exclusion Scheme. When you self-exclude yourself, you restrict all online gambling activities in the casinos licensed in Great Britain. Additionally, you gain support and advice that help you overcome the addiction.

Tel: 0800 138 6518 (10 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week);

Chat: gamstop.co.uk (10 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week);

Mail: helpdesk@gamstop.co.uk;

Website: gamstop.co.uk.

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!

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