Links to other support agencies
This page contains links to other support organisations, both within the UK and internationally, for harmful gambling and related issues, as well as research agencies, Government and regulatory bodies and Trade Associations. GamCare is not responsible for the content of the websites listed within this page. Links from this site do not imply any endorsement by GamCare of particular organisations or services.
Counselling, Support and Residential Care (UK)
- BigDeal (GamCare’s website for young people): www.bigdeal.org.uk
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy: www.bacp.co.uk
- NHS Primary Care Gambling Service: https://www.primarycaregamblingservice.co.uk/
- CNWL National Problem Gambling Clinic:
www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/mental-health-services/addictions-and-substance-misuse/national-problem-gambling-clinic - Dunlewey Substance Advice Centre, All Northern Ireland: 08000 886 725 or at http://dunlewey.net
- Gordon Moody Association Midlands & South East: www.gordonmoody.org.uk
- Gambling Therapy: A free, multi-lingual online service for those who reside outside the UK – www.gamblingtherapy.org/
- NACRO Resettlement Advice Service (Support for offenders and practitioners supporting individuals with criminal records): 0300 123 1999, email [email protected] or visit www.nacro.org.uk
- Unlock – Support for people with convictions: www.unlock.org.uk
- BeatStress from the Mens Health Forum: www.menshealthforum.org.uk/beatstress.uk
- Counselling Directory (UK): www.counselling-directory.org.uk
- Vulnerability Registration Service (VRS): www.vulnerabilityregistrationservice.co.uk Free to register, the VRS is a database of vulnerable people that allows you to alert companies to the fact that you’re in vulnerable circumstances. It lets business identify your vulnerability and take it into account when they communicate with you. You can either opt to be declined for financial service applications or add a ‘referral flag’ to let organisations know about your circumstances – so that they can be taken into consideration.
Debt Management
- Advice UK provides links to a wide range of advice organisations at www.adviceuk.org.uk
- StepChange Debt Charity provides debt counselling. If you are thinking about taking on a debt management plan (DMP), StepChange Debt Charity provide realistic advice and a DMP with no fees attached. Visit StepChange Debt Remedy – their anonymous, online debt advice service: www.stepchange.org
- You can also find free, unbiased and independent advice through the Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Free debt help and management:
- National Debtline: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
- PayPlan is one of the UK’s largest providers of free debt advice. As well as offering general debt advice, PayPlan also offers comprehensive guidance on a wide range of practical, long-term debt solutions. More information is available at: www.payplan.com/gamcare/
- Citizens Advice – www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Other services available to help:
- Mabs Money Advice and Budgeting Service (Ireland): www.mabs.ie
- Credit Action (national money education charity): www.creditaction.org.uk
- Debt Advice Foundation: www.debtadvicefoundation.org
- Talk About Debt: www.talkaboutdebt.co.uk
- Life Coach Directory
Loan sharks
A loan shark is a moneylender who charges extremely high rates of interest, typically under illegal conditions. The Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) is a specialist agency that prosecutes loan sharks and supports people affected by this crime.
To report a loan shark to the Stop Loan Sharks project, (www.stoploansharks.co.uk) call the 24/7 confidential hotline on 0300 555 2222, or text 07860 022 116. All calls are confidential and you can remain anonymous if you wish.
You can also email [email protected], or report a loan shark online.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) & Gam-Anon
- Gamblers Anonymous: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
- GA Scotland: www.gascotland.org/
- Gam-Anon: www.gamanon.org.uk
- GA Gamblers Anonymous International: www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
Employment Support
- Job help – Department of Work and Pensions: https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/
Looking for support from outside the UK?
View international support contacts here.
Government and Regulators
- The Department for Culture, Media and Sport: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-culture-media-sport
- The Gambling Commission: www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/
- The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): www.fca.org.uk/
- The National Lottery Commission: www.natlotcomm.gov.uk/
Trade Associations – Gambling Industry
- The Betting and Gaming Council (for bookmakers, casinos and online gambling sites): https://bettingandgamingcouncil.com/
- The British Amusement Catering Trades Association (BACTA): www.bacta.org.uk
- The Bingo Association: www.bingo-association.co.uk/home
- The European Betting and Gaming Association: www.egba.eu
UK Research
- The Society for the Study of Gambling: www.societystudygambling.co.uk
- Nottingham Trent University: www.ntu.ac.uk/nbs/business/specialist_centres/betting_research_unit.html
- GambleAware (formerly the Responsible Gambling Trust): about.gambleaware.org/
International Research
- National Centre for Responsible Gambling: www.ncrg.org/
- Responsible Gambling Council: www.responsiblegambling.org/
- European Association for the study of Gambling: www.easg.org/