How To Stop Gambling Uk

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Cognitive behavioural therapy usually has the best results. Treatment and support groups are available for people who want to stop gambling: GamCare GamCare offers free information, support and counselling for problem gamblers in the UK. It runs the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) and also offers face-to-face counselling. Their data also shows that gambling addiction is estimated to cost the UK up to £1.2b per year. Earlier this year, ThePOGG illustrated the growing issue of gambling in society with their guide on: ‘ Safer Gambling: Addressing the Issue of Problem Gambling ‘. These include cutting the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals, bringing in tighter age and identity checks for online gambling, banning gambling using credit cards and expanding national specialist support through the NHS Long Term Plan.

If you would like to self-exclude from online gambling you can visit GAMSTOP (www.gamstop.co.uk) which now enables UK and NI residents to exclude themselves from all gambling sites licensed to operate in Great Britain for free, for a period of 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. GAMSTOP lets you put controls in place to restrict your online gambling activities. You will be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing.

You can self-exclude from either each separate company you might gamble with, or from multiple companies at the same time.

To self-exclude from a particular venue, ask the staff there for details. Online, look for the 'Responsible Gambling' or “Safer Gambling” section of the website, or the help section.

To self-exclude from more than one venue or website at the same time, use the 'multi-operator' schemes listed below for each of the types of gambling you want help avoiding.

Online gambling

If you would like to self-exclude from online gambling you can visit GAMSTOP (www.gamstop.co.uk) which now enables UK and NI residents to exclude themselves from all gambling sites licensed to operate in Great Britain for free, for a period of 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.

All online gambling websites must provide a facility for you to self-exclude from that company. This can usually be found in the 'Responsible Gambling' or “Safer Gambling” section of their website, or through your personal account page. Call the customer services number on the website, or email them if you need help with this.

Arcades and Adult Gaming Centres

You can nominate from a single arcade or select a number of arcades you wish to self-exclude from. Just ask any member of staff for help in doing so. This cannot be done online but for further details, click here.

Betting shops / Bookmakers

How To Stop Gambling Online

You can nominate the betting shops you wish to self-exclude from. These are usually identified by you as those that are close to your home, your work or other activities. To self-exclude from more than one bookmaker in your area, call the self-exclusion helpline on 0800 294 2060. For further details, click here.

Bingo venues

To self-exclude from licensed bingo premises across Great Britain, the quickest way to register is at your local bingo club. You can request the contact details for your local licensed bingo premises from The Bingo Association by clicking here.

Casinos

SENSE allows people to voluntarily enroll in a scheme to exclude themselves nationally from all land-based casinos in the UK. For further information, click here.

Being a compulsive gambler can harm your health and relationships, and leave you in serious debt.

If you have a problem with gambling and you'd like to stop, support and treatment is available.

Are you a problem gambler?

Try this questionnaire:

  • Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?
  • Do you need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling?
  • Have you tried to win back money you have lost (chasing losses)?
  • Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
  • Have you wondered whether you have a problem with gambling?
  • Has your gambling caused you any health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety?
  • Have other people criticised your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem (regardless of whether or not you thought it was true)?
  • Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
  • Have you ever felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?

Score 0 for each time you answer 'never'
Score 1 for each time you answer 'sometimes'
Score 2 for each time you answer 'most of the time'
Score 3 for each time you answer 'almost always'

If your total score is 8 or higher, you may be a problem gambler.

Help for problem gamblers

There's evidence that gambling can be successfully treated in the same way as other addictions. Cognitive behavioural therapy usually has the best results.

Treatment and support groups are available for people who want to stop gambling:

GamCareGamCare offers free information, support and counselling for problem gamblers in the UK.

It runs the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) and also offers face-to-face counselling.

National Problem Gambling Clinic If you live in England or Wales, are aged 13 or over and have complex problems related to gambling, you can refer yourself to this specialist NHS clinic for problem gamblers.

See if you meet the criteria for this service.

Gordon Moody Association The Gordon Moody Association offers residential courses for men and women who have problems with gambling – email help@gordonmoody.org.uk or call 01384 241292 to find out more.

It also runs the Gambling Therapy website, which offers online support to problem gamblers and their friends and family.

Gamblers Anonymous UKGamblers Anonymous UK runs local support groups that use the same 12-step approach to recovery from addiction as Alcoholics Anonymous. There are also GamAnon support groups for friends and family.

How to stop gambling on your own

Self-help tips for problem gamblers

Do:

  • pay important bills, such as your mortgage, on payday before you gamble
  • spend more time with family and friends who don't gamble
  • deal with your debts rather than ignoring them – visit the National Debtline for tips

Don't:

  • view gambling as a way to make money – try to see it as entertainment instead
  • bottle up your worries about your gambling – talk to someone
  • take credit cards with you when you go gambling

For more self-help tips, see the Royal College of Psychiatrists website.

If you're affected by someone's gambling

If you're having problems because of another person's gambling, it's best to be honest with them about it. They need to know how their behaviour is affecting you.

Support is also available to people who are worried about someone else's gambling:

How To Stop Gambling On Your Own

GamCare Gamcare offers support and information for partners, friends and family of people who gamble compulsively.

GamAnon
Local support groups for anyone affected by someone else's gambling problem – find your nearest group.

Stop Gambling Forum

Real stories of recovery from gambling

Tell your own story and post messages of support in the GamCare recovery diaries forum.

Page last reviewed: 31 December 2017
Next review due: 31 December 2020