Free confidential support
Doctor Spins Get Help
If gambling stops being fun, talk to someone. Every organisation here is free, confidential and used to taking calls from people in exactly your situation.
GamCare
National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Free, confidential, open every hour of the day.
BeGambleAware
Online chat and a directory of local treatment clinics across the UK.
Gamblers Anonymous
Free peer support meetings nationwide. Search by postcode on gamblersanonymous.org.uk.
Citizens Advice
Free debt and money guidance from any local branch or via citizensadvice.org.uk.
When should I reach out for help?
If gambling is on your mind when you would rather not think about it, if you are spending more than you can afford or if you are hiding play from people who care about you, those are clear signs. You do not need to wait until things feel out of control. A confidential conversation with GamCare can clarify whether what you are feeling is a quiet warning sign or something that needs a fuller plan. The earlier you call, the easier the conversation tends to be.
What happens when I call GamCare?
You speak to a trained adviser who will not judge or push you towards any particular outcome. The call is free, the number does not appear on your phone bill and you do not need to share your real name. The adviser will listen, ask a few questions to understand what is going on and walk through the options available to you. These usually include practical steps you can take today, such as deposit limits or cool off, and longer term support like counselling or a residential programme if needed.
Are there free face to face options?
Yes. The NHS runs the National Problem Gambling Clinic in London and a number of regional clinics that take referrals from GamCare. Gamblers Anonymous holds free in-person meetings in every major UK city, with online meetings available if travel is difficult. Citizens Advice can help with the financial side, including debt management plans, budgeting and dealing with creditors.
How do I help a friend or family member?
Start by listening without judgement. People struggling with gambling often feel ashamed before they admit a problem, so a calm conversation goes further than confrontation. Encourage them to call GamCare and offer to sit with them while they make the call if that helps. GamCare also runs a dedicated line for families and friends on the same number, which gives you confidential advice from people who have helped thousands of households through the same situation.
Emergency support
You are not alone
Free, confidential support is one phone call away. Call GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Visit GamCareWhat does a first call to GamCare actually feel like?
People often delay the first call because they imagine it will be uncomfortable or that the adviser will judge them. The reality is calmer than that. GamCare advisers take thousands of calls a year from people in every imaginable situation. They will not push you towards any particular outcome and they will not tell anyone you called. The conversation usually starts with the adviser asking a few open questions to understand what brought you to the line, then walks through practical steps that match your situation. Many calls end with the player feeling lighter just for having said out loud what they had been thinking. If you are not ready to call, the responsible gambling page covers the in-account tools you can use right now.
What support looks like beyond the first call
If the first call uncovers something that needs more than a quick conversation, GamCare can refer you to free counselling, either online, by phone or in person. The National Problem Gambling Clinic in London takes NHS referrals for face to face treatment, and there are regional clinics in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Bristol. Treatment is free and confidential. Gamblers Anonymous meetings are also free, peer led and held in every major UK city, with online meetings available for players who cannot easily travel.
Supporting someone else through this
If you are worried about a partner, friend or family member, GamCare runs a dedicated line for affected others on the same number. The advisers help you think through how to start a difficult conversation, how to protect joint finances and how to look after your own wellbeing through the process. The single most important rule is to lead with concern rather than blame. People struggling with gambling often feel shame before they admit a problem, and a calm conversation goes much further than confrontation.
Practical financial steps you can take today
Citizens Advice and StepChange both offer free debt and budgeting help that does not require you to first stop gambling. They can negotiate with creditors, freeze interest and put a manageable repayment plan in place. Pair this with closing or self excluding your gambling accounts using the close-account options on Doctor Spins so the temptation to top up is removed while you rebuild.
Self help resources you can use tonight
GamCare runs a free online self-assessment that takes ten minutes and gives you a personalised summary of risk indicators. Many players use the assessment as a quick sanity check before deciding whether to call. The BeGambleAware site hosts a free online cognitive behavioural therapy programme that runs at your own pace and has helped thousands of players reset their relationship with gambling without needing an in-person referral.