The National Gambling Helpline
GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 802 0133 — free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If wagering is causing you distress, anxiety, or financial difficulty, trained advisers are available to listen without judgement. Live chat is also available at gamcare.org.uk.
GamStop — self-exclusion from all UK operators in one step
GamStop is a free self-exclusion scheme backed by the UK Gambling Commission. Registering at gamstop.co.uk blocks you from opening new accounts — or logging into existing accounts — at all UKGC-licensed gambling sites and apps within 24 hours of registration. You can choose to self-exclude for 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. The exclusion cannot be lifted early. Every operator listed on StratfordReel participates in GamStop as a condition of their UKGC licence.
BeGambleAware
BeGambleAware is a charity funded by the gambling industry to provide education, prevention, and treatment referrals for problem gambling in Great Britain. Their website at begambleaware.org offers self-assessment tools, practical guides on setting limits, and a directory of local treatment services.
Deposit, loss, and time limits
All UKGC-licensed operators are required to offer deposit limits, loss limits, and session time-limits — and to apply them immediately when requested. Setting a deposit limit is one of the most effective early interventions. You can typically find limit tools in your account settings under "Safer Gambling" or "Responsible Gambling". Operators cannot refuse or delay a limit reduction.
Reality checks and session reminders
Most UK operators provide optional session-time reminders that pop up at intervals you choose — every 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or hourly. These prompts give you a clear signal that time is passing and prompt a decision to continue or stop. Enabling them costs nothing and does not restrict your access in any way.
Warning signs
The following patterns can indicate that gambling is moving from leisure to a problem:
- Spending more than you budgeted, or betting to recover previous losses
- Feeling anxious or irritable when not gambling
- Concealing betting activity from family or friends
- Missing work, sleep, or social commitments to bet
- Borrowing money or using savings meant for bills
Experiencing any of these is a signal to pause, not a cause for shame. Problem gambling is a recognised condition with effective treatments.
Gordon Moody Foundation
Gordon Moody offers residential treatment for people with severe gambling difficulties. Their therapeutic communities in Dudley and Beckenham accept self-referrals and NHS referrals. More information at gordonmoody.org.uk.
NHS support
NHS gambling clinics are available in several UK cities, offering structured therapy and counselling. The NHS website at nhs.uk can help you find a clinic near you by searching "gambling addiction treatment". Many services accept self-referrals without a GP appointment.
Under 18s
Gambling in the UK is strictly prohibited for anyone under 18. If you are under 18 or if you believe someone under 18 is accessing gambling services, please contact GamCare or speak to the operator's safer-gambling team directly. Operators are required by UKGC licence conditions to maintain stringent age-verification procedures.
Credit cards for gambling are banned in the UK
Since April 2020 the UK Gambling Commission has prohibited all UKGC-licensed operators from accepting credit-card payments for gambling. If any operator accepts a credit card for gambling, that is a serious regulatory breach and should be reported to the UKGC at gamblingcommission.gov.uk.