Gambling treatment in England, Scotland and Wales

Treatment for gambling problems is free on the NHS and through specialist charities, and in most cases you can refer yourself without seeing a GP first. What is available, and how you reach it, depends on whether you live in England, Scotland or Wales. This guide sets out the main routes in each nation, what treatment usually involves, and the help available to families.

Is it time to get help?

The NHS (opens in a new tab) offers a short self-check with nine questions, such as whether you bet more than you can afford to lose, chase losses, or have borrowed money or sold things to gamble. A total score of 8 or more suggests you, or those closest to you, are likely to be experiencing gambling-related harm; a score between 1 and 7 suggests gambling might still be having a negative effect. NHS inform (opens in a new tab) in Scotland has a similar 10-question check, and says that even one “yes” means it would be a good idea to seek help. You would not be alone: the Gambling Commission’s 2025 survey found that 3.4% of adults who had gambled in the past year had sought support for their own gambling (see our gambling statistics guide).

If gambling is seriously affecting your mental health and you need help urgently, the NHS advises finding out where to get urgent help for your mental health.

England: NHS gambling clinics

The NHS says specialist gambling treatment clinics in England have teams of psychiatrists and psychologists who can treat gambling problems, support recovery, provide therapy for complex health needs related to gambling, and support family or friends. You can self-refer, or ask a GP about services in your area. The NHS lists these services:

• NHS National Centre for Behavioural Addictions and the National Problem Gambling Clinic
• NHS Northern Gambling Service
• NHS Southern Gambling Service
• NHS West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic
• NHS East Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic
• NHS East of England Gambling Service
• NHS South West Gambling Service.

Each covers its own area, so check which applies to you. For example, the National Problem Gambling Clinic (opens in a new tab), the first NHS gambling treatment service in the UK, says it accepts people aged 13 to 18 from anywhere in England and adults living in Greater London, and that age ranges may differ at other services. Its family and friends service offers individual support to people affected by someone else’s gambling.

The NHS also lists the Primary Care Gambling Service, GamLearn, Gamblers Anonymous, Citizens Advice and ChapterOne among other support services.

Half of the statutory gambling levy paid by licensed gambling businesses goes to NHS England and the Scottish and Welsh Governments to commission treatment and support services. The government said NHS England would take on commissioning of the full treatment pathway in England from 1 April 2026, from referral and triage through to aftercare.

Wales: the All Wales Gambling Treatment Service

On 1 April 2026, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (opens in a new tab) launched two NHS services for anyone in Wales:

• A 24/7 helpline on 0808 2819 265, free from mobiles and landlines, even with no credit left. It offers immediate support and can refer you on to treatment if needed.
• A specialist treatment service for structured, ongoing help. Referrals are welcome from individuals as well as professionals: email GamblingService@wales.nhs.uk with your name and phone number, or call 03000 859464.

Alongside this, NHS Wales (opens in a new tab) offers a free online course, Space from Gambling Harms. It is based on CBT, lasts 12 weeks, is open to anyone over 18 by self-referral without seeing a GP, and comes with an NHS-trained supporter.

Scotland

NHS inform points to several routes:

• The National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133. NHS inform notes that GamCare also provides treatment for people with gambling problems and their families.
• GamCare Scotland offers free support and treatment for people across the Highlands and Islands, including the Western Isles, Skye, Shetland and Orkney, by phone or video; call 0131 261 5220 or complete a referral form. You can refer yourself, including if you are affected by someone else’s gambling, but it cannot accept referrals made by family or friends. Its Money Guidance Service takes referrals from anyone in Scotland with gambling-related money problems.
• Gamblers Anonymous Scotland holds free meetings every day and has a 24-hour helpline on 0370 050 8881. Gam-Anon Scotland, for loved ones, runs separate meetings on the same helpline number.
• Breathing Space offers support and counselling on 0800 83 85 87, Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am, and from Friday 6pm to Monday 6am.

Citizens Advice Scotland’s Gambling Support Service also offers help with debt, housing, work and relationships on 0800 328 1131; see worried about someone else’s gambling.

What treatment involves

Services vary, but the National Problem Gambling Clinic describes a typical programme:

1. Preparing for change: short one-to-one sessions focused on motivation and putting practical barriers in place to reduce access to gambling.
2. Core treatment: CBT, one-to-one or in a group.
3. Further support: psychodynamic therapy may be available after CBT.
4. After treatment: an ongoing support group.

It offers treatment online, by phone or in person. GamCare says its talking therapies across England, Scotland and Wales can be face to face, online or over the phone.

Steps you can take while you wait

NHS inform and the NHS suggest practical steps alongside treatment, including:

• paying essential bills as soon as you are paid
• using GAMSTOP to block online gambling, and land-based self-exclusion for shops and venues
• asking your bank to block gambling payments, and installing blocking software
• dealing with debts rather than ignoring them; see gambling and debt
• telling friends and family not to lend you money if you ask, and talking to someone you trust.

Northern Ireland

This guide covers Great Britain. For services in Northern Ireland, see our Northern Ireland guide, which lists the support nidirect recommends.