Things you can do to help you, or someone else, and organisations that can help:
You’re not alone, it’s important to talk to someone – perhaps a friend or a close family member. There is hope and help is available, if you need it, including the support of specialist organisations. Whether you’re looking for confidential advice, treatment, help with money or you’d just like to speak to someone who’ll help find the support that’s right for you or someone else.
Gambling Support
Dunlewey Addiction Services is a Northern Ireland based organisation that provide specialist services to those experiencing gambling-related issues.
Helpline: NI 0800 0886 725, or ROI 1800 936 725. The helpline is open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Email: admin@dunlewey.org
GambleAware offer free, confidential help and support to anyone who’s worried about their, or someone else’s, gambling.
Helpline is open 24 hours every day on 0808 8020 133
GamCare is the leading UK provider of confidential free information, advice, practical help and support for anyone harmed by gambling. They also offer a self-assessment tool that can help you understand the impact gambling is having in your life. You can check it out here Self-assessment tool
GamCare Helpline is open 24 hours every day on 0808 8020 133
Website – www.gamcare.org.uk
Live Chat – Chat to us now
Self Help – Self help – GamCare
BigDeal – BigDeal help young people find out more about gambling and gaming so everyone can make their own decisions and stay safe. If you are worried about your gambling, or have concerns about someone you care about, they can help.
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion means asking a gambling provider to exclude you from gambling with them for a length of time, usually between six and twelve months. All licensed gambling businesses – arcades, betting shops, bingo halls, casinos and online betting sites – have their own arrangements to help those who decide to self-exclude.
You can ask the staff in a venue to do this for you, or you can arrange exclusion from multiple gambling venues or sites through ‘multi-operator self-exclusion schemes’:
The Multi Operator Self-exclusion Scheme allows you to choose the betting shops that you would like to be excluded from. Call 0800 294 2060 or visit or visit their website.
GAMSTOP – Gambling Self-Exclusion Scheme Free online self-exclusion from licensed gambling enables UK residents to exclude themselves from all gambling sites licensed to operate in Great Britain.
Gamban Free 7 day use of an effective tool which blocks access to thousands of gambling websites and apps on all of your devices.
SENSE is the national self-exclusion programme for land-based casinos. For details please visit their website.
The Bingo Association can help you to self-exclude from all bingo halls.
BACTA manages self-exclusion for arcades 12 and adult gaming centres.
Blocking software
There are computer programmes available that limit access to websites or other services available over the internet. Some software is free while others charge a fee. For smartphones and tablets, you can also search on your App store to find available products. If you are using iOS, on an iPhone or iPad, you can use the inbuilt parental blocker that will prevent access to gambling related content. You will need to get someone else to set the password for you though.
Help with your finances
Keep track of your bills and spending by using our Online Banking App, it’s safe and easy to use.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice give free, confidential information and advice to assist people with money, legal, consumer and other problems.
PayPlan
PayPlan has a team of advisers who help people deal with their debts and treat all of their calls with the strictest confidence. They also offer free live chat and email support for immediate help. Call 0800 280 2816 or click on the link for more information.
StepChange
StepChange debt charity offer free personalised debt advice tailored to individual situations – available online or over the phone. Call 0800 138 1111 or click on the link.
Business Debtline
Business Debtline is a charity giving free debt advice to small businesses and self-employed people. Call to speak to an adviser on 0800 197 6026 or click on the link.
Shelter
Shelter provide expert housing advisers online, by telephone or in person. Call 0808 800 4444 or click on the link.
Other Help Available
Gambling can be harmful, but not talking about it can make it worse. There are a number of different organisations offering support for gamblers and their loved ones.
Mind
Mind provide advice and support for anyone experiencing problems with mental health, plus access to a range of resources and services.
Samaritans
Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on Freephone 116 123.