Gambling
Information and useful contacts for problem gambling and gambling addition.
Updated: 5 December 2024
Gambling covers a large range of activities, including: lotteries, betting shops (usually with a focus on sports betting including horse racing), casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres with electronic gaming machines, slot machines and online gambling. The UK has one of the biggest gambling markets in the world and the industry's advertising is extensive, persuasive and often targeted.
Whilst gambling is a relatively common activity that almost half of the adult population participate in without any negative effects, a small proportion of people do experience gambling related harm.
Harmful gambling or gambling addiction is a repeated pattern of gambling behaviour where someone feels they have lost control; continues to gamble despite negative consequences and/or sees gambling as more important to them than any other interest or activity.
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, people experiencing gambling related harm are more likely than others to suffer from low self-esteem, develop stress-related disorders, to become anxious, have poor sleep and appetite, to develop a substance misuse problem and to suffer from depression.
There are a range of services that provide support and treatment, including help for families and friends.
Useful contacts
- Gamcare: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133 available 24/7 every day (provided by Gamcare). Live webchat, WhatsApp and Facebook messaging, forum, group chat, self-help, counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy
- For Surrey residents: phone and on-line appointments to discuss what support may work best for you. Telephone: 0800 644 6668.
- Talkbanstop - a combination of personal support via GamCare's trained advisers, free access to Gamban blocking software and signposting to register for the free self-exclusion scheme Gamstop
- Way Forward - a safe and supportive online support group for women affected by another person's gambling, led by experienced facilitators (six weekly 1.5 hour Zoom sessions). For more information, or to join the group, please contact womenspathwaysupport@gamcare.org.uk
- NHS Southern Gambling Service provides treatment including individual psychotherapy and medication. Accepts referrals from individuals and professionals
- NHS Gambling Clinic support for those aged 13 to 18 who are experiencing gambling harms, and people 18 or over in London and the South East. Their free services include therapy, group sessions and post-treatment support.
- NHS Primary Care gambling Service for adults over 18 who experience gambling harms, including affected others. Support and therapy face to face, online and by phone and support with physical, social and mental health problems.
- GamFam - a national charity that offers a range of support for both people affected by someone's gambling, and for people who are gambling at harmful levels. Including: online peer support meetings (hosted by trained GamFam facilitators), guidance on how individuals, families and friends can help themselves, and practical suggestions for coping day-by-day, to improve well-being.
- Betknowmore UK provides peer support services for people experiencing gambling harms, including affected others. They offer one-to-one and group support, family outreach, as well as a UK-wide digital service for women.
Email: info@betknowmore.com - Gamblers Anonymous - a 12 step peer led fellowship group have meetings in Guildford and Staines
- Gamblers, Friends and Family in Recovery access to hundreds of gambling recovery Zoom meetings each week and access to audio recordings of speaker meetings and workshops
- Be Gamble Aware An online quiz to give an insight into how gambling might be affecting you or someone you care about – with advice and support then tailored to you, advice and support for people gambling and for those affected by someone's gambling, financial advice and an online calculator to help you understand the time and money spent on gambling. Resources and toolkits for professionals on how to identify and respond to gambling harms.
- Gordon Moody - a charity that offers information, practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by gambling addiction, by phone 01384 241292, text based support groups and residential treatment
- Surrey Talking Therapy services can help support you with stress, anxiety and depression and sleep problems, that may arise from gambling related problems