What GamCare offers: five ways to access support
SaveGamCare is a national charity providing free support to anyone affected by gambling harm in the UK. It runs the National Gambling Helpline, offers one-to-one counselling and hosts peer support groups across England, Scotland and Wales. IRIS explains what each service involves and how to access them.
The National Gambling Helpline
The helpline operates every day of the year on 0808 8020 133. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles, and the number does not appear on phone bills. The service is available around the clock.
Trained advisers answer calls, offering confidential support without judgement. They can discuss what is happening, explore options and refer callers to other GamCare services or local organisations. No question is too small, and calling does not commit anyone to further steps.
The same team handles online chat through the GamCare website, typically responding within a few minutes during staffed hours. Live chat suits people who prefer typing to speaking, or who need to reach out quietly from a shared space.
One-to-one counselling
GamCare provides individual counselling sessions by phone, video or in person at centres across the country. Sessions are free and confidential, lasting around an hour each. A counsellor works with the person to understand what drives their gambling, identify triggers and develop practical ways to manage urges.
Counselling is not a lecture. The person sets the pace, and the counsellor listens without blame. Some people attend a handful of sessions; others continue for months. Either path is valid.
To arrange counselling, call the helpline or complete a referral form on the GamCare website. Most people start within two weeks, though waiting times vary by location.
What happens in a session
The first meeting involves questions about gambling habits, what brings someone to counselling and what they hope to change. Later sessions focus on recognising patterns, managing difficult feelings and testing new behaviours. Counsellors may suggest keeping a gambling diary or setting small goals between appointments.
Everything discussed remains private unless there is a risk of serious harm to the person or someone else. That boundary is explained at the start.
NetLine and group support
NetLine is a moderated online forum where people affected by gambling share experiences and advice. It is open day and night, accessible through the GamCare website after a quick registration. Moderators ensure the space stays respectful and supportive.
GamCare also runs local peer support groups led by trained facilitators. These meet weekly or fortnightly in community centres, libraries and health facilities. Attendees discuss challenges, celebrate progress and hear from others who understand the reality of gambling harm. No one is required to speak; listening is enough.
Group times and locations are listed on the GamCare website. Most groups welcome drop-ins, though some ask for advance contact.
Support for families and friends
Gambling harm affects more than the person placing bets. Partners, parents and close friends can access GamCare's services in their own right, whether or not the person gambling is seeking help.
The helpline takes calls from worried relatives. Counsellors work with family members to manage stress, set boundaries and decide what they can and cannot control. Separate peer support groups meet for those living with someone else's gambling.
Talking to someone about their gambling is difficult. GamCare advisers can suggest how to start the conversation without blame, and what to do if the person denies there is a problem or becomes defensive.
Residential treatment through Gordon Moody
GamCare refers people to Gordon Moody (https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk), which provides residential treatment for severe gambling problems. Places are limited, and most people attending have tried other forms of support first. The programme lasts several months and takes place at Gordon Moody's centres in the Midlands and the South.
Referrals go through GamCare's counselling team or the helpline. The service is free, though some travel costs may apply.
Getting started today
Reaching out feels harder than it is. GamCare exists for anyone affected by gambling, whether the harm started recently or years ago, whether gambling happens daily or in bursts, and whether the person has tried to stop before or never considered it until now.
- Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit the GamCare website to start a live chat. Both options are free and confidential.
- Describe what is happening in your own words. There is no right or wrong way to explain it, and the adviser will not judge.
- Ask about the options — counselling, groups, the forum — and decide what feels manageable as a first step.
- Book a counselling session or join a group if one appeals. If nothing feels right yet, the helpline remains open every day.
For more on what counselling involves, read our guide to gambling counselling sessions.
Other tools and organisations
GamCare works alongside other services. BeGambleAware (https://www.begambleaware.org) offers information and treatment referrals. GamStop (https://www.gamstop.co.uk) is a free national self-exclusion scheme that blocks access to gambling sites licensed in Great Britain for a chosen period.
| Service | What it does | How to access it |
|---|---|---|
| GamCare Helpline | Confidential phone and chat support | 0808 8020 133 or gamcare.org.uk |
| BeGambleAware | Information and treatment referrals | begambleaware.org |
| GamStop | Self-exclusion from licensed sites | gamstop.co.uk |
| Gordon Moody | Residential treatment | Referred through GamCare |
Blocking software such as Gamban (https://gamban.com, paid subscription) and BetBlocker (https://betblocker.org, free) prevents gambling sites from loading on devices. Both work across phones, tablets and computers, and can be installed without technical skill.
If a device is shared with someone under eighteen, parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio adds another layer of protection.
When to reach out
Some people wait until gambling has taken everything before asking for help. Others call after a single loss that scared them. Both moments are valid, and GamCare meets people wherever they are.
Gambling is for people aged 18 and over. If gambling feels out of control, if debts are mounting, if lies have started or if someone close has raised concern, those are reasons enough to pick up the phone. Waiting for a crisis only deepens the harm.
For guidance on what to do after a relapse, or to understand how gambling problems develop, explore the rest of this site.
Finding help
GamCare — https://www.gamcare.org.uk; National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7).
BeGambleAware — https://www.begambleaware.org
GamStop — https://www.gamstop.co.uk
Gordon Moody — https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk
Gambling is entertainment, not income. If it stops feeling like a choice, support is available. 18+
This is an information site. We do not sell goods or services. Free, confidential support is available through the organisations named above.
#GamCare #Helpline #Counselling #Peer support
Download PDF: Steps to access GamCare support PDF, 27 KB
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
What services does GamCare provide?
GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline, offers free one-to-one counselling by phone or video, hosts peer support groups and moderates an online forum. It also supports families and friends affected by someone else's gambling.
Is the GamCare helpline really free?
Yes. Calls to 0808 8020 133 are free from landlines and mobiles, and the number does not appear on phone bills. The service is available every day of the year.
How do I access GamCare counselling?
Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or complete a referral form on the GamCare website. Most people start counselling within two weeks, though waiting times vary by location.
IRIS Editorial Team