Free, confidential support services available to anyone in the United Kingdom.
Need help now? Call the National Gambling Helpline:
0808 8020 133 — free, confidential, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Operated by GamCare.
The UK has one of the most developed responsible gambling support networks in the world,
with free services covering helplines, online chat, counselling, self-exclusion, and NHS
treatment. All services listed below are free to use.
National Helpline
National Gambling Helpline — GamCare
The primary national helpline for anyone affected by problem gambling in Great Britain.
Offers confidential support, information, and referrals to treatment. 📞 0808 8020 133
Free from all UK networks — 24 hours, 7 days a week
Online chat also available at
gamcare.org.uk
Self-Exclusion
GAMSTOP — National Online Self-Exclusion
Free service that lets you self-exclude from all UK-licensed online gambling operators
in a single step. Choose exclusion periods of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. Once
registered, it applies automatically across all participating operators. gamstop.co.uk
— registration takes around 5 minutes.
Self-exclusion from multiple betting shops in your local area simultaneously.
Contact individual bookmakers or ask at any betting shop to enrol. Covers most
high-street operators including Bet365 retail, Ladbrokes, William Hill, Coral,
and Paddy Power shops.
Information & Online Support
BeGambleAware
Information, tools, and referrals to local treatment services. Provides a free
online self-assessment tool to help you understand your relationship with gambling. begambleaware.org
Gamblers Anonymous UK
Peer-support group meetings across the UK, using the 12-step recovery model.
Free to attend — no registration required. 📞 0330 094 0322 gamblersanonymous.org.uk
GamFam — Support for Friends & Family
Specialist support for people affected by someone else's gambling. Offers a helpline,
online chat, and family support groups. gamfam.co.uk
NHS Treatment
NHS Gambling Clinics
The NHS operates specialist gambling treatment clinics offering free cognitive
behavioural therapy (CBT) and other clinical support. Referral via your GP or
through GamCare. The NHS Northern Gambling Service and NHS National Problem Gambling
Clinic (London) are the main treatment centres. nhs.uk — gambling addiction support
Regulatory Body
Gambling Commission
The UK's independent regulator for commercial gambling. You can verify that an
operator is licensed, report a concern, or check a bookmaker's licence status. gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Bookmaker Responsible Gambling Tools (UK)
All UK-licensed bookmakers are required to offer the following tools. You can usually
find them under "Responsible Gambling" or "My Account" settings on any platform:
Deposit limits — cap how much you can add in a day, week, or month
Loss limits — cap your maximum net loss over a set period
Session time limits — automatically end sessions after a set duration
Reality checks — on-screen reminders of time and money spent
Cooling-off periods — temporary account restrictions (24 hours to several weeks)
Self-exclusion — operator-level exclusion or via GAMSTOP nationally
Set these tools before you need them. Lowering a deposit limit takes immediate effect;
increasing one typically requires a 24-hour cooling-off period by regulation.