Gambling
Information, referral pathways and resources for gambling-related harm services.
- Introduction
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Gambling can affect anyone and its related harms can have an impact on physical and mental health, relationships, housing and employment.
As well as being directly associated with stress, anxiety and poor wellbeing, gambling may lead to debt and financial problems, which, in turn, can contribute to sleep difficulties, high blood pressure and other stress-related health conditions. Gambling can also exacerbate other risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and substance use.
- Concerned about your gambling?
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Answer this short set of questions, devised by the NHS, to help assess whether gambling is having a negative impact on your life or causing gambling-related harms.
- Referral pathways
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Professionals supporting individuals affected by gambling-related harm can draw on a range of specialist services offering treatment, recovery support, education, and support for family and friends
- Hampshire support options
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- Southern Gambling Service, is a specialist service providing NHS treatment for people aged 17 plus with gambling-related harm or gambling disorder who live in Hampshire or the South East. Via self-referral (Southern Gambling Service (NHS) Southern Gambling Service – self-referral form for patients) (also to be used by non-healthcare workers) or referral by a health professional (Southern Gambling Service – referral form for professionals)
- Find peer support at Gamblers Anonymous
- GamCare South East offers free, confidential support and treatment, in-person or remotely, for anyone affected by gambling. Call 0808 8020 133 or visit GamCare South East – GamCare
- WINGS (Women In Need Of Gambling Support) provides free, online support groups for women affected by the gambling of a family member, and women experiencing gambling harms themselves. Call 01273 833722 for support or visit WINGS (Women In Need Of Gambling Support)
- Carers, parents and family of those experiencing gambling harm can find support at Parent Support Link
- Training and resources
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- GamCare is the national provider of information, advice and treatment services for people experiencing gambling-related harms, including a 24/7 helpline and digital support. They offer practical self-help resources, recovery tools, financial guidance and peer support.
- Chapter One delivers education, prevention and early intervention programmes to increase awareness of gambling-related harms and support behaviour change.
- GamFam provides targeted support for family members, carers and friends impacted by another person's gambling.
- GamLEARN offers online learning resources and recovery tools to support individuals affected by gambling-related harm.
- Recover With Pride is a specialist, trauma-informed recovery programme designed for LGBTQ+ communities
- The Royal College of Psychiatrists offers information for anyone who is worried about gambling or knows someone whose gambling has become a problem.
- Support for children and young people
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Find support and resources if gambling is affecting a child or young person, or if there are concerns about their mental health, wellbeing and safety.
- Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service provides support for children and young people experiencing emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties.
- Hampshire Youth Access offers counselling, advice and early intervention support for children and young people.
- Find specialist assessment and treatment for individuals aged 13 years and over experiencing gambling-related harms, including support for family members at NHS National Gambling Clinic.
- The NHS National Centre for Gaming Disorders is a specialist service for children and young people experiencing difficulties with gaming, as well as their parents.
- YGAM offers education, training and evidence-informed resources to support the prevention of gambling and gaming harms among children and young people.
- Financial wellbeing support
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Professionals can support individuals experiencing financial difficulties by signposting to specialist debt and money advice services.
Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, confidential advice on gambling-related debt, budgeting and financial management Get help with gambling problems
National Debtline offers free, independent debt advice on 08088 084000 and webchat support through National Debtline.
- Self-exclusion
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Self-exclusion is an evidence-based harm reduction measure that enables a person to restrict access to gambling products and venues for a specified period. It is often most effective when used alongside wider treatment and support interventions.
Professionals can explore the following options with individuals affected by gambling-related harm:
- Everything You Need to Know About Bank Gambling Blocks
- GAMSTOP for exclusion from licensed online gambling operators in the UK
- GAMSTOP Betting Shops
- SENSE for self-exclusion from land based casinos
- BACTA for self exclusion schemes for Adult Gaming Centres
- Strategies, policies and partnerships
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The following guidelines have been produced by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to support the identification, assessment and management of gambling related harms. This includes people aged 18 and over who are experiencing gambling that harms, and people of any age affected by someone close to them who is experiencing gambling that harms.