Where to Get Help
These organisations provide free, confidential support to anyone affected by gambling harm.
GamCare
Provides free information, support, and counselling for problem gambling. Operates the National Gambling Helpline.
Visit GamCare ↗
GambleAware
Leads a national strategy to minimise gambling-related harm, commissioning treatment and support services across Great Britain.
Visit GambleAware ↗
Gordon Moody
Provides residential treatment programmes and online support for people with severe gambling problems and their families.
Visit Gordon Moody ↗GAMSTOP
The UK's national online self-exclusion scheme. Register once to block yourself from all UK-licensed gambling websites.
Visit GAMSTOP ↗Gambling Therapy
An international service offering free online support to anyone affected by gambling. Available in multiple languages.
Visit Gambling Therapy ↗UKGC
The regulatory body for all commercial gambling in Great Britain. Verifies licensing and consumer protections.
Visit UKGC ↗Healthy Play Guidance
The following guidance is provided for consumer awareness. Gambling should always be approached with caution and clear financial boundaries.
Set Financial Limits
Before engaging in any gambling activity, decide on a strict budget you can afford to lose entirely. Never gamble with money allocated to essential expenses.
- Use platform deposit limit tools
- Set weekly or monthly limits
- Never chase losses
- Treat losses as the cost of entertainment
Manage Your Time
Gambling can be time-consuming. Use the tools available on platforms to manage the time you spend gaming each session.
- Set session time limits
- Use reality check reminders
- Take regular breaks
- Avoid late-night sessions
Recognise Warning Signs
Be aware of signs that gambling may be becoming problematic. Early recognition is key to preventing serious harm.
- Spending more than intended
- Gambling to recover losses
- Neglecting other responsibilities
- Borrowing money to gamble
Self-Exclusion Options
All UK-licensed platforms are required to offer self-exclusion tools. GAMSTOP provides a national scheme covering all licensed UK operators.
- Register with GAMSTOP
- Use platform self-exclusion
- Consider cooling-off periods
- Block gambling websites via apps
Talk to Someone
If you are concerned about your gambling or someone else's, speaking to a professional can make a significant difference.
- Contact GamCare (free, 24/7)
- Speak to your GP
- Contact Gamblers Anonymous
- Talk to a trusted person
Maintain Balance
Gambling should not be your primary source of entertainment or social activity. Maintaining balance with other interests is important.
- Keep other hobbies active
- Avoid gambling when stressed
- Never gamble under the influence
- Separate gambling from socialising
How to Self-Exclude
Self-exclusion is a tool that prevents you from accessing gambling services for a set period. All UK-licensed operators are required to honour self-exclusion requests.
GAMSTOP National Scheme
GAMSTOP is the UK's free national self-exclusion scheme. When you register, all UK-licensed gambling websites are required to prevent you from accessing their services for your chosen exclusion period (minimum 6 months).
- Covers all UK-licensed operators
- Minimum 6 months duration
- Can extend to 5 years
- Free to use
- Takes effect within 24 hours
Platform-Level Exclusion
In addition to GAMSTOP, each UK-licensed gambling platform offers individual self-exclusion tools accessible through your account settings. You can also request self-exclusion via customer support.
- Deposit limits (daily/weekly/monthly)
- Loss limits
- Session time limits
- Reality check notifications
- Cooling-off periods
- Permanent self-exclusion
Free, Confidential Help is Available
The National Gambling Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0808 8020 133 (free from all UK landlines and mobiles).