Gambling debt help: 5 practical steps to take control of what you owe
SaveGambling debt help starts with understanding what you owe and to whom. Debt caused by gambling often feels different from other kinds — the shame can make it harder to ask for help, and the urge to gamble more to fix it makes things worse. This guide walks you through the immediate steps: listing your debts, deciding which to pay first, speaking to creditors and finding free advice that works for people in the UK. You can start today, and AJAG is here to show you how.
Writing down every debt you have
The first step is a complete list. Get a piece of paper or open a notes app and write down every debt: credit cards, loans, overdrafts, money owed to friends or family, payday lenders, rent arrears, council tax and utility bills. For each one, note who you owe, how much and what the monthly payment is supposed to be.
This list will feel uncomfortable to make. Do it anyway. You cannot prioritise what you cannot see, and a written list stops the debts from circling in your head as something unknowable. Include everything, even small amounts. Once it is written, you have a starting point.
Priority debts and non-priority debts
Not all debts carry the same risk. Priority debts are the ones that can cost you your home, your heat or your freedom if left unpaid: rent or mortgage arrears, council tax, gas and electricity bills, court fines and child maintenance. These come first, always.
Non-priority debts include credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts, catalogues and money owed to friends. They matter, but the consequences of missing a payment are less immediate. Creditors may add interest or send reminders, but they cannot take your home or cut off your heating without a court order, and that takes time.
Mark each debt on your list as priority or non-priority. If you are not sure which category something falls into, assume it is priority until you check.
Working out what you can afford to pay
Look at what comes in each month after tax: wages, benefits, anything regular. Then list what goes out on essentials — rent or mortgage, council tax, food, travel to work, heating. What is left is what you have for debt repayments.
If the amount left is less than the total of your minimum payments, you are in a deficit. That is not a reason to give up; it is a reason to speak to your creditors and to get free debt advice. Many people in gambling debt reach this point. The tools exist to deal with it.
| Debt type | Consequences of non-payment | How quickly action is taken |
|---|---|---|
| Rent arrears | Eviction proceedings | Can begin after two months' arrears |
| Council tax | Bailiffs, deductions from wages | After a liability order is granted |
| Gas or electricity | Supply may be disconnected | After a warrant is obtained |
| Credit card | Default notice, county court claim | Several months, often longer |
Speaking to creditors before they chase you
Contact your creditors before they contact you. Write to each one — email or letter — and explain that you have gambling debt, that you are taking steps to stop gambling and that you want to arrange a payment plan you can keep to. Offer what you can afford, based on the budget you worked out.
Most creditors would rather receive a small, regular payment than nothing at all. Some will freeze interest or reduce monthly payments if you explain your situation honestly. Keep a copy of every letter you send and every reply you receive.
If a creditor refuses your offer or keeps adding charges, do not argue alone. Free debt advice services will negotiate on your behalf, and creditors often take those organisations more seriously than they take individuals.
Steps to take this week
- Stop gambling now. Register with GamStop to block access to licensed gambling sites, and install blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker on every device you use.
- Make the list. Write down every debt, who it is owed to and how much. Separate priority debts from non-priority debts.
- Work out your budget. Income minus essential spending equals what you have available for debt repayments. Be honest about the figure.
- Contact priority creditors first. Send a short letter or email explaining your situation and offering a realistic payment based on what you can afford.
- Get free debt advice. Speak to StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice — all free, confidential services that know how gambling debt works and will help you put together a plan.
Free debt advice services for people in the UK
You do not need to pay anyone to help with debt. StepChange (stepchange.org) offers free debt advice online and by phone. National Debtline (0808 808 4000, nationaldebtline.org) gives practical help with budgeting and negotiating with creditors. Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk) has local offices and online tools for working out which debts to pay first and what your rights are.
These services are used to dealing with gambling debt. They will not judge you, and they will not tell you to do something you cannot afford. Their job is to make the situation manageable, and they do it every day.
Debt solutions and what they mean
If your debts are larger than you can clear with monthly payments, a formal debt solution may be the right choice. A Debt Management Plan spreads what you owe over a longer period, with reduced monthly payments. A Debt Relief Order writes off debts under a certain threshold if you have little income and no assets. An Individual Voluntary Arrangement is a legally binding agreement to pay back part of what you owe over several years, after which the rest is written off.
Each has conditions, costs and consequences for your credit record. A debt adviser will explain which one fits your situation. Do not choose one based on what you read online; get advice first.
What bankruptcy means and when it applies
Bankruptcy is a legal process that writes off debts you cannot pay. It has serious consequences: you may lose assets, some jobs do not allow bankrupts to work in them and your credit record will show it for years. It is not the first option, but for some people with very large debts and no realistic way to repay them, it is the way out.
A debt adviser will tell you whether bankruptcy is appropriate for your situation. It costs money to apply, though the fee can sometimes be waived. Do not file for bankruptcy without advice.
Stopping the gambling that caused the debt
Clearing the debt will not work if the gambling continues. Stopping gambling is the foundation; everything else is built on that. Self-exclusion blocks access to gambling sites and venues, and it works when you use it alongside other changes: avoiding places where you gambled, telling someone you trust what you are doing and finding something else to fill the time gambling used to take.
Debt advice clears the money problem. Stopping gambling clears the cause. You need both.
Where to get help with gambling and debt
GamCare (gamcare.org.uk) offers support for anyone affected by gambling, including financial harm, through its National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 — free, confidential and open around the clock. BeGambleAware (begambleaware.org) provides information and links to treatment services. Gordon Moody (gordonmoody.org.uk) runs residential programmes and online support for people with serious gambling problems.
For national self-exclusion, GamStop (gamstop.co.uk) blocks access to all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain. To block gambling on your devices, Gamban (gamban.com) is a paid subscription service that works across phones, tablets and computers, and BetBlocker (betblocker.org) is free and covers multiple platforms.
Gambling is for people aged 18 and over. If you share a device with someone under that age, parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio will block gambling sites at the router level.
This page is for general information only. AJAG is an information site about gambling addiction help; we do not provide personal financial or legal advice, and we are not a debt management service. For help with what you owe, speak to one of the free debt advice organisations named above. Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money or fix financial problems, and anyone struggling to control it should reach out for support. 18+. For free, confidential help, visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
Download PDF: Handling Gambling Debt: Your Action Checklist PDF, 28 KB
Frequently asked questions
Can gambling debts be written off?
Some gambling debts can be included in formal debt solutions such as a Debt Relief Order, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement or bankruptcy, which may write off part or all of what you owe. Whether you qualify depends on your income, assets and the size of the debt. Free debt advice services such as StepChange or National Debtline will explain your options.
Should I pay gambling debts before other bills?
No. Priority debts — rent, mortgage, council tax, gas and electricity — come first, because not paying them can lead to eviction, disconnection or legal action. Gambling debts such as credit cards and personal loans are non-priority, and creditors can be contacted to arrange lower payments while you clear what matters most.
What do I say to creditors about gambling debt?
Be honest. Explain that the debt was caused by gambling, that you have stopped and that you want to set up a payment plan you can stick to. Offer what you can afford based on your budget. Most creditors prefer a realistic payment to none at all, and some will freeze interest or reduce charges if you explain your situation clearly.