Gambling Help UK: 6 Ways to Access Free Support Services
SaveFree, confidential gambling support is available across the UK through national helplines, counselling services and local charities. Advocacy Now brings together the main support options so you can find the right help quickly, whether you're looking for someone to talk to today or want to explore longer-term treatment.
National helplines you can call now
The National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, is open every hour of every day on 0808 8020 133. The call is free from landlines and mobiles, and you do not need to give your name. Trained advisers listen without judging and can talk through what is happening, point you towards other services or simply offer a space to speak honestly.
BeGambleAware also operates live chat and email support at https://www.begambleaware.org, letting you reach out in writing if that feels easier than a phone call.
Face-to-face counselling and residential treatment
GamCare offers one-to-one and group counselling sessions, both online and in person, at centres across England, Scotland and Wales. Sessions are free and you can refer yourself through their website at https://www.gamcare.org.uk. Waiting times vary by area but most people start within a few weeks.
For more intensive support, Gordon Moody provides residential treatment programmes lasting several weeks, along with online courses you can complete from home. The charity also runs a continuing care programme once treatment ends. Find out more at https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk.
Self-exclusion schemes that block access
GamStop is a free national scheme that lets you exclude yourself from all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain at once. You choose a period—six months, one year or five years—and during that time the sites will not accept bets or let you open an account. The block cannot be reversed early, which gives you breathing space without the risk of logging back in on impulse. Register at https://www.gamstop.co.uk. Our guide What is Gamstop: the UK's national self-exclusion scheme explains how the system works and what it covers.
Blocking software such as Gamban (https://gamban.com, paid subscription) and BetBlocker (https://betblocker.org, free) work on computers, tablets and phones, preventing access to gambling sites across all browsers and apps.
Local and specialist services
Many areas have local charities and NHS clinics offering gambling support. Your GP can refer you to a specialist service or you can contact one directly. The National Gambling Treatment Service has a directory on the NHS website showing clinics by postcode.
Some charities focus on specific communities or backgrounds, providing support in different languages or with an understanding of particular cultural contexts. GamCare and BeGambleAware can point you towards these services when you get in touch.
Help for friends and family members
Gambling affects the people around the person placing bets, and support services recognise that. GamCare runs separate helplines and counselling sessions for family members, partners and friends who are worried or dealing with the financial and emotional impact themselves. The National Gambling Helpline takes calls from anyone affected, not only the person gambling.
Talking openly is hard, especially when money troubles or broken trust are involved. Counsellors are trained to work through those conversations and help families find a way forward together.
Practical steps you can take today
- Save the National Gambling Helpline number—0808 8020 133—in your phone under a name you will recognise.
- Visit GamStop and start the registration process, even if you are not ready to complete it yet; seeing how it works can make the decision feel less daunting.
- Write down one person you could talk to—a friend, family member or your GP—and set a rough date to have that conversation.
- Install blocking software on the device you use most often; both Gamban and BetBlocker offer free trials.
- Look at the GamCare or BeGambleAware website for ten minutes and read through the descriptions of the different types of support, so you know what exists when you are ready to reach out.
Comparing the main support routes
| Type of support | When it helps most | How to access it |
|---|---|---|
| National helpline | Immediate crisis or need to talk now | Call 0808 8020 133 any time |
| Counselling | Ongoing support over weeks or months | Self-refer through GamCare website |
| Residential treatment | Severe harm, need for structured environment | Contact Gordon Moody directly |
| GamStop | Stopping online gambling across all sites | Register online at gamstop.co.uk |
| Blocking software | Preventing access on your own devices | Download from Gamban or BetBlocker |
What happens when you call or register
Helplines do not ask for personal details unless you choose to give them, and nothing you say is shared without your permission. The conversation stays between you and the adviser. If you want to set up counselling or join a programme, they will guide you through the next steps at your own pace.
Self-exclusion schemes ask for enough information to match your details against gambling accounts—usually your name, date of birth and address—but the process is quick and the block starts within hours. In practice, most people find the registration simpler than they expected.
Getting help does not mean giving up control
Reaching out for support is not the same as handing decisions to someone else. Services work with you to find what fits—whether that is a single phone call, a series of sessions or a longer programme. You decide how much to share, which tools to use and when to take the next step. If you are not sure where to start, Warning signs and behaviours: 7 ways to recognise a gambling problem can help you understand what you are noticing in your own habits.
Many people use more than one type of support at the same time—blocking software alongside counselling, or a helpline call before registering with GamStop. Combining approaches often works better than relying on one alone.
Resources and age restrictions
All the services named on this page are for adults aged 18 and over. If you are worried about a young person, contact the National Gambling Helpline for advice on specialist youth services.
Key contacts:
- GamCare – https://www.gamcare.org.uk ; National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, every hour)
- BeGambleAware – https://www.begambleaware.org
- GamStop – https://www.gamstop.co.uk (free national self-exclusion)
- Gordon Moody – https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk (residential and online treatment)
- Gamban – https://gamban.com (paid blocking software)
- BetBlocker – https://betblocker.org (free blocking software)
This article is for general information only. Advocacy Now is an information site and does not provide personal advice, counselling or treatment. For confidential support, contact one of the services listed above.
#Support services #Self-exclusion #Gamstop
Download PDF: Getting Gambling Support: Your First Steps PDF, 24 KB
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find free gambling support in the UK without waiting weeks for an appointment?
The National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 is open around the clock and you can speak to someone immediately without giving your name. GamCare and BeGambleAware also offer online chat and email support you can access the same day.
What support services are available for family members worried about someone else's gambling?
GamCare runs separate counselling and helpline services for partners, family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling. The National Gambling Helpline takes calls from anyone concerned, not only the person placing bets.
How do I stop myself accessing gambling sites while I work on the problem?
GamStop is a free national scheme that blocks you from all licensed gambling sites in Great Britain for six months, one year or five years. Blocking software such as Gamban and BetBlocker works on your own devices to prevent access across browsers and apps.