Gambling Support
Are you or a loved one struggling with gambling? There are plenty of support options out there who can help. We’ve listed them all, including how to contact them.
Reaching out for support by Olivia Juett
GambleAware
GambleAware is a charity focused on reducing gambling-related harms. They offer services to support those affected by gambling, including tools for self-assessment, resources for managing gambling habits and initiatives to limit exposure to gambling advertisements. They also provide connections to local support and guidance for professionals who work with people experiencing gambling-related issues: gambleaware.org
GamCare
GamCare runs the National Gambling Hotline where they support both people suffering from gambling addiction as well as people whose loved one may have a problem. You can contact them in several ways, whether that’s a phone call, through Whatsapp or by joining a group chat with people in a similar situation as you: gamcare.org.uk | 0808 8020 133
RCA Trust
If you are concerned about your own gambling or the gambling of a loved one, RCA Trust is the main support provider for gambling-related harms in Scotland. Working in partnership with GamCare and part of the National Gambling Support Network, they also offer group meetings, counselling, and access to specific help: 0141 887 0880 | email: info@rcatrust.org.uk
The Scottish Gambling Education Hub
Their mission is for every young person in Scotland to have access to gambling education and prevention opportunities. They support young people’s health and wellbeing by promoting awareness of gambling harms through training, peer education, peer theatre, our network and more: gamblingeducationhub.fastforward.org.uk
GamFam
GamFam is a registered charity (1191139) set up by those who have experienced first-hand the devastating effects that gambling can have on family and friends. They offer peer support, advice and programmes for families, parents and gamblers themselves: gamfam.org.uk
GAMSTOP
This is a free tool that enables people who live in the UK to exclude themselves from all licensed gambling websites and apps. You can choose how long to exclude for and once registered, you cannot remove the exclusion until the minimum period chosen has been reached: gamstop.co.uk
Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme
Launched in 2016, MOSES is a free service for users who want to control their gambling by choosing to self-exclude from multiple land-based bookmakers – meaning you can ask a gambling operator to exclude you from gambling with them for a set length of time. Responsibility for sticking with this lies with you, but you can expect the operator to do all they reasonably can to prevent you from gambling: self-exclusion.co.uk
StepChange Debt Charity Scotland
Get free, confidential and impartial advice on money and debt problems from this independent service. There is a ton of information about debt on their website and they operate a Monday-Saturday helpline for anyone struggling with debt problems, including if this relates to gambling problems: stepchange.org | 0800 138 1111
Glasgow City Gambling Harms
This project aims: to connect people in Glasgow who are suffering harms from their own or somebody else’s gambling towards sources of support; to raise awareness of gambling harms as a serious public health issue; to provide some basic advice and materials to frontline workers who support Glasgow citizens; to offer an overview of work being done in Glasgow to reduce gambling harms; to challenge stigma associated with gambling harms: glasgowcitygamblingharms.org
Gamblers Anonymous Scotland
Gamblers Anonymous is a free-to-join fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling addiction. The only requirement is a desire to stop gambling. They have regular meetings in Toryglen, the Gorbals and Shawlands: gascotland.org | 0370 050 8881
Citizens Advice Scotland
From 2022-2025, Citizens Advice Scotland are offering free training to different organisations on identifying and supporting people affected by gambling harms and how to be an advocate for your community. If you want to find out how you or your community can get involved, email them with any questions: gamblingsupport@scottishcabs.org.uk
Samaritans
Confidential emotional support for anyone in crisis. This can be if you are suffering from with gambling harms or if you are struggling with a loved one’s addiction. Call them for free 24/7 or head to their website for resources: samaritans.org.uk | 116 123