Getting help for gambling problems: 6 ways forward
SaveIf gambling is causing you problems, you're not alone – and help is closer than you might think. Support exists at every stage: whether you're worried about your own habits, concerned about a friend, or ready to make a change right now. This guide walks you through the help available to students and young adults in the UK, from free phone lines to online support and practical tools you can use today.
Recognise when gambling stops being entertainment
Gambling is meant to be entertainment, not a way to solve money problems or a source of income. When it becomes stressful – when you're chasing losses, hiding what you're spending, or gambling to escape difficult feelings – it's worth taking it seriously.
You might notice you're thinking about gambling a lot, spending more than you planned, or feeling anxious when you're not playing. You might have borrowed money to gamble, or lied to people close to you about how much you're playing. If any of this sounds familiar, reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Talk to someone you trust
One of the first steps – and often the hardest – is telling someone. A close friend, family member, partner or flatmate can listen without judgment and help you think through what comes next. They can't fix it for you, but they can support you while you do.
If you're worried about burdening them, remember: people who care about you want to know. Keeping it secret usually makes the problem feel bigger. A short conversation – "I've been gambling more than I'm comfortable with, and I'm going to get help" – can open the door to real support.
Your university or college may also have counselling services or a student support officer who can talk things through in confidence.
Call the National Gambling Helpline
The National Gambling Helpline is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day. You don't need to have made a decision about stopping; you can call just to talk through what's happening and explore your options.
When you ring 0808 8020 133, you'll speak to someone trained to listen and advise without judgment. They can help you understand your gambling, suggest next steps, and connect you to other support if you want it. You can also use their online chat and email support.
Many young adults say the first call is the scariest – and the most useful. You don't have to know what you want to say; they're used to people calling in distress.
Set limits and use blocking tools
While you're deciding what to do next, you can take immediate steps to reduce the harm. These tools don't solve the problem on their own, but they create breathing room.
Deposit limits and time-outs
If you're playing on gambling sites, you can set a deposit limit – a cap on how much you can put in during a chosen period. This isn't permanent; it just slows things down and gives you time to think. A time-out pauses your account for a set period – you can't log in, even if you want to.
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion is stronger. When you self-exclude from a site, your account closes and you're locked out. You can also use GamStop, a free national service that blocks you from all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain at once. Visit gamstop.co.uk to set it up – it takes a few minutes and lasts from one month to five years.
Blocking software
If you're struggling to stay away from gambling websites, blocking software can help. Gamban is a paid app that blocks gambling sites on your device; BetBlocker is free and works across computers and phones. Installing one removes the choice – the sites simply won't load – which takes the decision-making out of the moment.
| Tool | What it stops | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit limit | Spending more than you set on one site | Your chosen period |
| Time-out | Logging in to your account | Your chosen period |
| Self-exclusion | Access to your account on one site | One month to five years |
| GamStop | Access to all licensed gambling sites in the UK | One month to five years |
| Blocking software | Gambling websites on your device | Until you uninstall it |
Find counselling and residential support
BeGambleAware (https://www.begambleaware.org) offers free online resources, self-assessment tools and information on local services. Gordon Moody (https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk) provides residential and online counselling specifically for people with gambling problems – it's free and confidential.
Your GP can also refer you to NHS talking therapies. If you're at university, student services often have counsellors with experience of gambling harm. These aren't quick fixes – they're places where you can work through why you gamble and how to change your relationship with it over time.
Understand what support can and can't do
Support can help you see the problem clearly, give you tools to step back, and help you rebuild trust with people close to you. It can connect you to others who've been through the same thing. What it can't do is want to stop for you – that has to come from you.
Recovery isn't always straight. You might take a break and feel back in control, then slip back into gambling. That's not failure; it's part of the process. Each time you reach out – whether it's to a friend, a helpline or a counsellor – you're moving forward.
Getting help today
You don't have to wait until things get worse. Here's what you can do this week:
- Write down one thing you've noticed about your gambling that worries you – keep this private.
- Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit GamCare's website to chat or email.
- If you use gambling sites, set a deposit limit or time-out on your account right now.
- Consider installing BetBlocker (free) or Gamban (paid) to make gambling harder to access.
- Tell one person you trust – a friend, family member or counsellor – what's been happening.
Getting support from organisations you can trust
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline and offers chat and email support. Call 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7) or visit gamcare.org.uk.
BeGambleAware (https://www.begambleaware.org) has self-check tools, guides and information on services near you.
Gordon Moody (https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk) provides confidential counselling, both residential and online, for anyone struggling with gambling.
GamStop (https://www.gamstop.co.uk) lets you block yourself from all licensed gambling sites in Great Britain at once, free of charge.
All of these services are free and confidential. Support for gambling harm is available to anyone aged 18 and over.
#Helplines #Self-exclusion #Blocking software #Counselling
Download PDF: Taking action on gambling harm: this week PDF, 29 KB
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between talking to a helpline and seeing a counsellor?
A helpline like the National Gambling Helpline gives you immediate, confidential support to talk through what's happening and explore options – it's often the first step. Counselling is longer-term work with a trained therapist to understand why you gamble and how to change your relationship with it. Both are valuable; many people use both.
Can I use GamStop if I'm self-excluding from just one site?
GamStop blocks you from all licensed gambling sites in Great Britain at once – not individual ones. If you want to exclude from a single site, that site's own self-exclusion tool is what you need. You can also use both: self-exclude from a specific site and set GamStop as an extra layer of protection.
Will I get in trouble for calling the Helpline or telling someone I work with?
No. The National Gambling Helpline is confidential – they won't tell anyone. Your university counsellor is also bound by confidentiality, except in emergencies. Your employer has no need to know unless you choose to tell them. Getting help is the right choice.
How do blocking software and GamStop work together?
They work on different levels. GamStop blocks access to gambling sites across the internet; blocking software like BetBlocker or Gamban blocks gambling sites on your specific device. You can use both – they complement each other and make it much harder to gamble in a moment of weakness.
Can a friend or family member call the Helpline on my behalf?
They can call to get information about what support is available, but the person struggling with gambling needs to make the call themselves if they want to talk through their own situation. If you're worried about someone else, the Helpline can advise on how to help.
Is there help if I'm worried about someone else's gambling?
Yes. The National Gambling Helpline and GamCare support people worried about a friend or family member's gambling too. They can help you understand what's happening and suggest ways to talk to that person without enabling the problem.
What happens if I set a deposit limit but reach it and want to keep playing?
The limit stops you from spending more until it resets – that's the point. You can't override it immediately, which creates a pause. Some sites offer a cooling-off period; others require you to wait. That waiting time is often when clearer thinking kicks in.
Can I use blocking software if I share a device with someone else?
Yes, but be honest about it. Parental-control software like Net Nanny or Qustodio can block gambling sites on a shared device; Gamban and BetBlocker can too. If you're sharing with flatmates or family, let them know you're using it and why – it avoids confusion and keeps trust intact.
Will getting help affect my student loan or financial support?
No. Reaching out to a helpline, counsellor or support service won't affect your student finance, grants or loans. Confidential support services don't report to universities or lenders – they're there to help you, not judge you.
What if I've lost money gambling – can anyone help me recover it?
Support services can help you think through your options and understand what happened, but they can't recover money for you. Some sites have dispute processes, and in rare cases there are legal routes – ask the Helpline or a counsellor about your specific situation. The focus is usually on stopping the harm and moving forward.
SEEC Editorial Team