Free gambling help and support: five ways to reach out today
SaveIf you're struggling with gambling or worried about your behaviour, free help exists and is available now. You don't need to wait, pay, or have reached rock bottom to reach out. This article shows you what's available, how each form of support works, and how to take the first step.
The National Gambling Helpline
The National Gambling Helpline is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, every day. You can call 0808 8020 133 and speak to someone trained in gambling harm. They won't judge you, won't ask for your name, and won't involve anyone else without your permission.
The line takes calls about your own gambling or about someone else's. You might call because you want to stop, because you've lost money and don't know what to do next, because a family member is gambling, or simply because you're not sure if your behaviour is a problem. All of those reasons are valid reasons to call.
If you find it hard to make calls, you can text the service too. The advisors are used to talking to people at their lowest point and in their most confused moments. They know the shame that often comes with gambling problems and they know how to help without adding to it.
Face-to-face counselling through GamCare
GamCare offers free counselling for people affected by gambling harm. You can access this through their website at https://www.gamcare.org.uk, where you'll also find the National Gambling Helpline number. Some appointments happen over the phone or online, and some in person depending on where you live and what you prefer.
Counselling gives you space to understand why you gamble, what triggers your urges, and what habits or thoughts keep the cycle going. A counsellor won't tell you what to do; instead, they'll help you work out your own path forward. Sessions are one-to-one and confidential.
Support groups: peer-led meetings
Gambling support groups bring together people who are dealing with the same issue. Meetings are usually free to attend, peer-led (run by people in recovery, not professionals), and held in person or online depending on the group.
In a support group, you hear others' stories, which often breaks the isolation gambling creates. You're not alone in this, and you're not the first person to have lost money, hidden your gambling, or felt ashamed. Knowing that others have found a way out can be powerful. No one forces you to speak if you don't want to—you can listen first.
GamStop: blocking yourself from gambling sites
GamStop is a free national self-exclusion scheme. When you register with GamStop, you exclude yourself from all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain at once. You choose how long the exclusion lasts—a minimum of six months, or longer if you prefer.
Self-exclusion removes the friction of stopping. You won't have to use willpower every time you feel an urge; the sites simply won't let you log in. If you've tried to cut down or stop before and found yourself going back, GamStop puts a barrier between you and that choice.
You can register at https://www.gamstop.co.uk. The process takes a few minutes. GamStop is free, and it applies whether you've gambled with licensed sites or not.
Blocking software for your device
Blocking software restricts access to gambling websites on your computer, phone or tablet. Two free or low-cost options exist: BetBlocker is free and works across devices, while Gamban is a paid subscription.
These tools work in the background. When you try to visit a gambling site, the software stops it. Unlike willpower, which can weaken when you're stressed or low, blocking software doesn't get tired or distracted. It's useful if you share a device with family members too—parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio can restrict gambling sites if a minor uses the device.
Visit https://betblocker.org for BetBlocker or https://gamban.com for Gamban.
Money and debt help
If gambling has left you with debt, free debt advice is available. Charities like StepChange and National Debtline offer free phone and online advice. They can help you understand what you owe, negotiate with creditors on your behalf, and explore options like payment plans or formal debt solutions.
Debt advisors are separate from gambling counsellors, but many people find talking about both together helpful. A debt advisor won't shame you for how the debt started; they focus on moving forward.
BeGambleAware and what happens next
BeGambleAware provides information and resources about safer gambling. Visit https://www.begambleaware.org to explore articles, toolkits and information tailored to different situations.
Whatever path you choose—whether it's calling the helpline today, registering with GamStop this week, or booking a counselling session—remember that asking for help is not weakness. It's the hardest and most important step. The services listed here exist because gambling harm is real and recovery is possible.
Where to start this week
- Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 to talk through what's happening, even if you're not ready to make big changes.
- Register with GamStop at https://www.gamstop.co.uk if you want an immediate barrier between you and gambling sites.
- Visit https://www.gamcare.org.uk to book a counselling appointment or find a support group near you.
- Download BetBlocker at https://betblocker.org to block gambling sites on your device.
Getting help
Gambling harm affects your mental and physical health, your relationships, your finances and your sense of control. Help is free and available now. You can reach out for yourself or for someone you care about.
18+. If you're struggling with gambling, contact GamCare on https://www.gamcare.org.uk or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (free, 24 hours a day). BeGambleAware offers free, confidential support.
Download PDF: Free Gambling Help: Your First Steps PDF, 28 KB
Frequently asked questions
Can I get gambling help without telling my family?
Yes. The National Gambling Helpline, counselling through GamCare, support groups and all other services are confidential. You can explore options and make decisions alone. Telling family members can help some people recover, but it's your choice when or whether to do that.
What if I can't stop even though I want to?
That's a sign that gambling has become compulsive for you, and it's why support exists. Your brain has learned to seek gambling as a way to manage stress or mood, which is why willpower alone often fails. Counselling, support groups and blocking tools address this differently—they interrupt the cycle instead of relying on you to resist.
Is it too late to get help if I've lost a lot of money?
No. People recover from far greater losses and harm than you might imagine. Debt advisors help people work through what they owe, and stopping now prevents the losses from growing. The money is gone, but your future isn't determined by what's already lost—it's determined by what you do next.