GamCare: what it is, what it offers, and how to contact them

GamCare is the UK's leading provider of free gambling support for anyone affected by problem gambling. It operates the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133), provides free counselling, runs a live chat service, and offers specialist programmes for young people, families, and women. If you're looking for confidential gambling addiction support or need a gambling addiction hotline, GamCare is the first point of contact for most people in the UK. This guide explains everything GamCare offers, how to access each service, and what to expect when you make contact.

What is GamCare?

GamCare is a charity that has provided information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gambling since 1997. It's the largest provider of free, UKGC-endorsed gambling support in the UK, funded primarily through the gambling industry levy and GambleAware.

GamCare is not a gambling company. It has no commercial relationship with any betting operator. Its sole purpose is supporting people who are experiencing gambling-related harm — whether that's the person gambling or someone affected by another person's gambling.

GamCare UK — key facts

GamCare services — everything available

National Gambling Helpline

0808 8020 133 — free from all UK landlines and mobiles, confidential, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The helpline is staffed by trained advisors who specialise in gambling-related harm. You can call at any point — you don't need to be in crisis. Common reasons people call:

• Concerned about their own gambling and unsure what to do next
• Need someone to talk to who understands gambling addiction
• Want information about self-exclusion, blocking tools, or treatment options
• Affected by someone else's gambling
• Experiencing a gambling urge and need immediate support

What happens when you call: a trained advisor answers (not an automated system). They'll listen, ask some questions to understand your situation, and discuss options. There's no pressure, no judgement, and no obligation to take any specific action. If appropriate, they'll offer a referral to GamCare counselling or other specialist services.

Live chat

Available through gamcare.org.uk. Text-based support for people who prefer typing to speaking on the phone. Staffed by the same trained advisors as the helpline. Useful if you're at work, in a shared living space, or simply find it easier to communicate in writing.

Free counselling

GamCare provides structured gambling counselling for problem gamblers — typically 6-8 sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) delivered by qualified gambling specialists.

No GP referral is needed. You don't need a formal diagnosis. If gambling is causing you concern, that's enough.

Support groups

GamCare runs facilitated support groups — both online and in person — where people share experiences and support each other through recovery. These are different from Gamblers Anonymous: they're facilitated by GamCare staff rather than peer-led, and they follow a structured programme.

GamCare forum

GamCare operates an online forum where people affected by gambling can share experiences, ask questions, and support each other anonymously. The forum is moderated by GamCare staff and provides a safe space for people who aren't ready for one-to-one support.

GamCare for families and affected others

Gambling addiction doesn't just affect the person gambling — it affects everyone around them. GamCare provides dedicated support for partners, family members, and friends:

• Helpline support — the same helpline (0808 8020 133) is available for affected others, not just gamblers
• Dedicated counselling — separate counselling sessions specifically for people affected by someone else's gambling
• Support groups — groups for family members and partners
• Practical guidance — help with financial protection, setting boundaries, and managing the emotional impact

If someone you care about has a gambling problem, our helping someone with a gambling problem guide covers how to approach the conversation, protect yourself, and access the right support.

GamCare for young people

GamCare runs the BigDeal programme — a specialist service focused on young people (aged 11-19) affected by gambling. This covers both young people who gamble themselves and those affected by a family member's gambling.

The programme includes:

• Age-appropriate information and resources
• Dedicated support workers
• Educational materials for schools
• Training for professionals who work with young people

Young people's exposure to gambling is increasingly linked to gaming — particularly through loot boxes, which use gambling-like mechanics inside games played by millions of children. GamCare's youth programme recognises that gambling harm among young people doesn't always look like traditional problem gambling — it can emerge through gaming spending, social media betting culture, and peer pressure.

For the latest data on how gambling affects young people in the UK, see our young people and gambling page.

When to contact GamCare

You don't need to have a diagnosed gambling addiction to contact GamCare. You don't need to be in crisis. If any of the following apply, GamCare can help:

For yourself:

• You're spending more on gambling than you planned
• You've tried to cut down or stop and found it difficult
• Gambling is affecting your mood, sleep, relationships, or finances
• You want to understand whether your gambling is a problem
• You're experiencing a strong urge to gamble and want to talk to someone

For someone else:

• You're worried about a partner, family member, or friend's gambling
• Someone's gambling is affecting your finances or emotional wellbeing
• You need advice on how to approach the situation
• You want support for yourself, regardless of what the gambler does

The reality is that most people who contact GamCare wish they had done so earlier. The average problem gambler waits years before seeking help — during which the financial, emotional, and relational damage compounds. Understanding the real costs of gambling can be a catalyst for change. Our blog post 5 numbers every gambler should check puts gambling spending into perspective.

GamCare self exclusion support

GamCare advisors can help you navigate the self-exclusion process:

• GamStop — self-exclusion from all UK-licensed online gambling (6 months, 1 year, or 5 years)
• MOSES — multi-operator self-exclusion from betting shops
• Casino self-exclusion — individual casino schemes
• Gamban — gambling blocking software for all devices (covers unlicensed sites too)

GamCare doesn't operate these schemes directly, but advisors can walk you through the process, explain the options, and help you choose the right combination for your situation.

GamCare and responsible gambling

GamCare plays a central role in the UK's broader responsible gambling infrastructure. Beyond individual support, it:

• Trains gambling industry staff in identifying and responding to signs of gambling harm
• Certifies gambling operators through the GamCare Certification scheme
• Advises government and regulators on gambling policy
• Conducts research into gambling behaviour and treatment effectiveness
• Promotes prevention tools — deposit limits, time limits, reality checks, and the responsible gambling approach

GamCare's position as both a support provider and an industry advisor gives it unique insight into how gambling products affect people — and how they could be designed to reduce harm.

How GamCare is funded

GamCare's services are free to users. Funding comes primarily through GambleAware, which distributes money raised through the statutory gambling levy — a mandatory contribution from all UK-licensed gambling operators. This means the gambling industry funds the support services for the harm its products cause.

Additional funding comes from government grants, charitable donations, and specific project funding. GamCare publishes its annual accounts and impact reports, which show the number of people supported, treatment outcomes, and service development plans.

Frequently asked questions

Written by

Ciaran McEneaney

Ciaran is a gambling industry writer based in Ireland with over a decade of experience covering the regulated betting sector. He specialises in gambling regulation, industry statistics, player protection, and responsible gambling policy. At WiseStaker, Ciaran covers UK and international gambling data, support resources, and the psychology behind gambling behaviour.

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