I need help with my gambling

If gambling is causing problems for you, free and confidential support is available. You can get help whether you want to stop completely, cut down, manage debt, block gambling access or talk to someone about what is happening...

  • The West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic provides free, specialist help including treatment and recovery to anyone 18 and over affected by gambling addiction and gambling problems. You can refer yourself on their website. If you need help with this, a healthcare professional can do the referral for you. The website also contains useful links to debt management support
  • The national gambling helpline (run by Gamcare), a 24/7 helpline 0808 8020 133 for free gambling support, advice and help
  • Help for problems with Gambling provides tools to understand the impact of your gambling habits on your own life, and its effect on those close to you. This link also provides information on where to get help and support. It's an NHS resource that recommends things you can do now, such as signing up for Gamban to block access to gambling sites on your phone, and to ask your bank to block gambling-related spending from your account. Help for problems with Gambling also recommends support services to help you going forward
  • ChapterOne is a national advice and support service. You can self-refer, or if you need help a healthcare professional can refer on your behalf

How to stop the cycle

Step 1

Do not view gambling as a way to make money or fix a difficult financial situation. Signup for Gamban or Gamstop, which blocks access to gambling sites on your phone. Consider asking your bank to block any money going to gambling websites or apps

Step 2

Seek Help. Either through self referral to the NHS West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic, or call the National Gambling helpline on 08088020.
The NHS website has a variety of other service recommendations to help.

Step 3

You’re not alone in this. 37% of the UK population gamble, and 3.8% gamble at levels of higher risk. Talk to someone you trust about what's happening. Gamblers Anonymous is a local support group service that can help you in your recovery.

Step 4

Citizens Advice Bureau Shropshire is a charity that can help with finances and gambling, along with a range of other issues.

Cost of living help | Shropshire Council can help you find out about financial support, and our mental health webpages have useful resources and links to help should you need it, as does our drug or alcohol addiction page.