If gambling has stopped being fun
Talk to someone today. The National Gambling Helpline is free, confidential and open 24 hours: 0808 8020 133. You do not have to be in crisis to call.
Signs it may be a problem
- Spending more than you meant to, or more than you can afford to lose.
- Chasing losses, or gambling to win back money.
- Borrowing, or using money meant for bills.
- Hiding how much you gamble from people close to you.
- Feeling anxious, low or irritable when you are not gambling.
Tools that work
- Deposit limits. Every licensed site must offer them, and must prompt you to set one before your first deposit. Lowering a limit takes effect immediately. The rules.
- Time-outs and reality checks. Short breaks from one site, and reminders of how long you have played.
- GAMSTOP. One free registration excludes you from every GB-licensed gambling site and app for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. gamstop.co.uk.
- A gambling block on your bank card. Many banks let you switch one on in their app; it usually takes a few days to switch off again.
- Blocking software on your phone and computer.
Who can help
National Gambling Helpline (run by GamCare)
0808 8020 133, free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; live chat on the GamCare website
Gamstop Online
Free online self-exclusion from every GB-licensed gambling site and app for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. Gamstop Betting Shops covers bookmakers.
Gamblers Anonymous (England, Wales and Ulster)
Local 12-step support groups. 0330 094 0322. Union House, 111 New Union Street, Coventry CV1 2NT. GamAnon supports families.
NHS National Gambling Clinic (CNWL)
Founded 2008 as the first NHS gambling service. Accepts 13 to 18 year olds from anywhere in England and adults living in Greater London; self-referral online. 020 7381 7722, gambling.cnwl@nhs.net. Other NHS gambling services (for example the NHS Northern Gambling Service) cover other regions; NHS England announced 15 clinics in 2023.
Gordon Moody
Residential and online treatment for severe gambling problems. 01384 241292, help@gordonmoody.org.uk
Samaritans
116 123, free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Bank gambling blocks
Many UK banks let customers block card payments to gambling sites in their app, often with a delay (typically 48 hours or more) before the block can be lifted. The NHS advises asking your bank to block gambling payments. Exact features vary by bank, so do not list specific banks or cooling-off periods without checking each bank's own page.
Other services listed by the NHS
Primary Care Gambling Service, GamLearn (lived experience), ChapterOne, Citizens Advice, National Debtline, GamFam, Gambling with Lives (bereavement), Gamban blocking software
What we do
We publish the cost of every slot as plainly as we can, because knowing that a game costs about £4 for every £100 you stake is the most honest thing anyone can tell you about it. We do not run tips, "strategies" or "hot slots" lists. Read the myths and the maths.