Gambling help in the UK: free, confidential, 24/7
Whether it's your own gambling or someone close to you, you can talk to someone today. You don't need to be sure there is a "problem" first.
Free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, run by GamCare for England and Scotland. In Wales, call the NHS Wales gambling helpline on 0808 2819 265.
Call 0808 8020 133Block every online casino at once
GAMSTOP is free. One registration blocks you from all online gambling businesses licensed in Great Britain for six months, one year or five years. Licensed casinos must also prompt you to set a deposit limit before your first deposit — see our guide to the UK rules.
Treatment and support groups
- NHS gambling clinics — specialist treatment, including the National Problem Gambling Clinic. You can refer yourself; details are on the NHS gambling addiction page.
- Gamblers Anonymous — free peer-support meetings in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at gamblersanonymous.org.uk; in Scotland see gascotland.org.
Signs it may be time to talk to someone
- Spending more time or money than you planned, or hiding how much
- Betting more to win back what you have lost
- Borrowing money or missing bills because of gambling
- Feeling anxious, low or irritable when you try to cut back
These are prompts to reflect, not a diagnosis. If any feel familiar, a free call is a good first step.
Avoid sites that get around self-exclusion
Casinos marketed as "not on GAMSTOP" are not licensed in Great Britain and are built to work around self-exclusion. If you have self-excluded and find yourself looking for them, that is a good moment to call the helpline.
Rootan UK is an information site and does not provide counselling. In an emergency, call 999.