If gambling is affecting your money, relationships, work or mental health, you do not have to solve everything alone. The most useful first step is to add friction between you and gambling while also contacting someone who can support you.
This guide is for people in Great Britain who want to stop gambling. It focuses on current NHS, NICE and GAMSTOP guidance. It does not promote offshore gambling or explain how to bypass self-exclusion.
If you need urgent help now
Gambling harm can become a mental-health emergency. If you need urgent help for your mental health, the NHS says to call 111 and select the mental-health option, use NHS 111 online, or ask for an urgent GP appointment. If you do not feel able to keep yourself or somebody else safe, call 999 or go to A&E.
The NHS urgent mental-health guidance also lists free listening services, including Samaritans on 116 123.
Start with three actions today
You do not need a perfect long-term plan before taking protective steps. Begin with three actions:
- Tell one trusted person. Explain that gambling is causing harm and ask for practical support rather than secrecy.
- Contact specialist help. The National Gambling Helpline is listed by the NHS as a free, 24-hour service on 0808 8020 133.
- Put barriers in place. Register for appropriate self-exclusion, install blocking software and ask your bank about a gambling-payment block.
These actions address different parts of the problem: personal support, professional help and access to gambling.
Check whether gambling is causing harm
The NHS suggests looking at practical warning signs rather than relying on a label. These include:
- betting more than you can afford to lose;
- trying to win back money already lost;
- borrowing or selling items to gamble;
- financial problems for you or your household;
- stress, anxiety or guilt connected with gambling; and
- concern or criticism from people close to you.
You can ask for support even if you are unsure how serious the problem is. The NHS states that treatment and support are available when gambling is causing problems.
Block online gambling accounts with GAMSTOP
GAMSTOP is the free national online self-exclusion service. It blocks access to accounts with participating gambling websites and apps. The NHS describes the available minimum exclusion periods as six months, one year or five years.
Use your current and previous personal details when registering, then keep them updated. Our separate guide explains how GAMSTOP matches personal details and why updates matter.
GAMSTOP is one layer, not a complete treatment plan. Its own site recommends combining online self-exclusion with other measures such as betting-shop exclusion, blocking software and specialist support.
Do not register on the assumption that you can simply reverse the decision later. The minimum exclusion period cannot be ended early. Our GAMSTOP cancellation guide explains the distinction between the minimum period, expiry and the later removal process.
Add device and payment barriers
The NHS advises people experiencing gambling harm to install gambling-blocking software and ask their bank to block payments to gambling websites and apps.
Use several barriers together:
- install blocking software on every phone, tablet and computer you use;
- remove gambling apps and saved browser shortcuts;
- delete stored card and wallet details from gambling accounts;
- ask your bank what gambling-payment controls it offers; and
- arrange important bills through direct debits or standing orders before discretionary spending.
No technical control is a substitute for treatment or support. The purpose of barriers is to slow an impulse and create time to contact somebody or use a recovery plan.
Get specialist treatment and support
The NHS lists specialist gambling treatment clinics in England. These services can assess gambling-related problems, support recovery, address connected health needs and help affected family members. You can self-refer to a clinic or ask a GP about local services.
NICE guideline NG248 covers identification, assessment and treatment of gambling-related harms. Treatment should be based on an individual assessment; do not start, stop or change medication based on a general online article.
Useful starting points include:
- the NHS gambling-harm support page;
- the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133;
- an NHS specialist gambling clinic or your GP; and
- a peer-support organisation listed by the NHS, if that form of support suits you.
If another person’s gambling is affecting you, the NHS page also lists support for family members and friends.
Protect essential money and address debt
The NHS advises paying important bills first and dealing with debt rather than ignoring it. A practical plan can include:
- List essential monthly costs such as housing, utilities, food and travel.
- Arrange those payments before money is available for gambling.
- Stop using credit or borrowing to fund gambling.
- Ask your bank about transaction blocks and account controls.
- Contact a free debt-advice service if repayments or arrears are becoming unmanageable.
Do not promise a creditor or family member a payment you cannot make. A debt adviser can help you understand realistic options without pretending that gambling losses can be won back.
Plan for high-risk times
Identify when the urge to gamble is strongest. It may be linked to payday, sporting events, being alone, stress, alcohol, a particular app or access to spare money.
For each trigger, write one alternative action:
- call a named person;
- leave the device or location;
- open a blocking or banking tool;
- attend a support appointment or meeting;
- move essential money before the trigger time; or
- choose a specific non-gambling activity.
The plan should be simple enough to use when concentration is poor. Keep the names and numbers you need in an easy-to-find place.
What to do after a lapse
A lapse is a reason to act quickly, not to hide what happened or chase the loss.
- Stop the gambling session.
- Tell the person supporting you.
- Contact your treatment or support service.
- Save account and transaction records if they are needed for financial advice.
- Reinstate or strengthen practical barriers.
- Review what happened immediately before the lapse.
Do not try to recover the money with another bet. The NHS specifically identifies chasing losses as a sign of gambling-related harm.
How to support somebody else
If you are worried about a partner, relative or friend, speak calmly about the behaviour and harm you have observed. Avoid lending money for gambling or taking over debts without advice. Offer practical help with contacting treatment, installing barriers or attending an appointment, while keeping clear financial boundaries.
You can seek help for yourself too. NHS gambling clinics and several organisations listed on the NHS support page provide help for affected family members and friends.
A simple recovery checklist
- Save the NHS urgent-help page and helpline number.
- Tell one trusted person what is happening.
- Register with GAMSTOP if online gambling is part of the problem.
- Add blocking software and bank-payment controls.
- Arrange essential bills before discretionary spending.
- Contact an NHS clinic, GP or specialist support service.
- Get free debt advice where needed.
- Write a short plan for triggers and lapses.
- Keep protective measures active while recovery continues.
Stopping gambling is not a test of willpower. Use formal support and practical barriers together, and seek urgent help immediately if you cannot keep yourself safe.
