Portsmouth City Council

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Gambling harms

Find information and support if you or someone you care about is experiencing harms from gambling.

For some people, gambling can cause serious harms. These can affect the person gambling and the people around them, including family and friends.

If you or someone you care about is having problems with gambling, help is available and asking for support is a positive step.

The services listed on this page understand how you might be feeling and are ready to support you.

Quick links

What is gambling?

Gambling includes activities such as:

  • Playing a game of chance for prizes or money – like a card game, slot machines or casino game
  • Betting on the outcome of a race, event or competition, for example, a football or boxing match or a horse race
  • Playing the lottery, bingo and scratch cards

 

How gambling can cause harms

Gambling harms can affect anyone of any age, gender, income, culture, or ethnicity and in one or more areas of life either directly or indirectly:

  • Financial: Financial hardship, debt, negative credit rating, bankruptcy, home repossession, eviction and homelessness
  • Cultural: Shame, stigma and isolation of individuals and their families due to cultural expectations or community pressures
  • Relationships: Conflict, loss of trust, relationship break-ups, domestic abuse, loss of support from friends and community networks
  • Health and wellbeing: Anxiety, depression, stress, guilt, low self-esteem, loneliness and drug or alcohol use.
  • Work and education: Loss of work, poor focus and reduced performance at work, college or university. School performance of children and young people can be affected when someone they live with is experiencing gambling-related harms
  • Criminal behaviour: Some people may get involved in criminal activities to manage or repay gambling-related debts

What can you do to reduce gambling harms?

There are steps you can take for yourself to limit the effects of gambling.

Here are just a few steps to consider:

  • Self-exclusion – if you gamble online, you can exclude or block yourself from using certain betting sites with blocking software such as BetBlocker
  • You can also exclude yourself from high street betting shops, amusement arcades and casinos. Find more information on self exclusion schemes on the Gambling Commission website
  • Consider telling family or friends – this might be the last thing you want to do as you may fear letting family members down. Admitting that you are having trouble controlling your urge to gamble is hard, but it can also be the start of recovery and a useful barrier to gambling. There is support you can get as a family – visit the GamFam website to find support
  • Find a positive activity to replace gambling – for example, spend quality time with family, focus on a new hobby, or take on a fitness challenge.
  • Limit your spending on gambling – speak to your bank about this.

Take a look at the GamCare self-help recovery toolkit for more steps you can take.

Financial support

Gambling can put you in financial difficulty. You might have borrowed money to repay a gambling debt or need to replace money you have borrowed to gamble.

If you have borrowed money that you couldn’t afford to repay because of problems with gambling, you may be entitled to a refund. This guide from Debt Camel explains what you can do.

If you do have debts, it’s important to start dealing with them as soon as possible.

Find advice and support for yourself or someone you care about

  • GamCare South East – offer free, flexible and confidential support and treatment, in-person or remotely, for anyone affected by gambling across the South East. Get support: Call 0808 8020 133 or visit GamCare South East – GamCare
  • GamFam – offer support to anyone affected by gambling harms and the opportunity to share their experiences in a safe space, without fear of judgement with others who have genuine empathy and understanding. Get support at Gamfam.org
  • Southern Gambling Service – a specialist service providing NHS treatment to people with gambling-related harms or gambling disorder. Get help from the Southern Gambling Service
  • Betknowmore UK provides Peer Aid, a peer-led support service for people experiencing gambling harms, including affected others. Their community-based service offers one-to-one and group support. Find out more about Peer Aid
  • New Beginnings is also provided by Betknowmore UK. It’s a peer led support service for woman only. Find out more about New Beginnings 
  • WINGS (Women In Need Of Gambling Support) – provide free, online support groups for women affected by the gambling of a family member, and women experiencing gambling harms themselves. Get support: Call 01273 833722 or visit WINGS (Women In Need Of Gambling Support)
  • Recover With Pride is the UK’s first dedicated, trauma-informed gambling harm recovery programme created by and for LGBTQ+ communities. It offers a safe, identity-affirming space for LGBTQ+ people to explore their relationship with gambling, rebuild stability, and connect with others who understand their experiences. Get support at Recover With Pride
  • Citizen’s Advice Solent East – get help with gambling problems locally at Citizen’s Advice

Help for young people

GamCare can also provide advice and support to young people. Get support: Call 0808 8020 133 or visit GamCare South East – GamCare

Talk, Whatsapp or live chat with a GamCare advisor. Free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get support now.

Support with mental wellbeing

Gambling can take its toll on a person’s mental health. Portsmouth Mental Health Hub helps anyone aged 16 or over who isn’t sure where to go for mental health support. You’ll find advice, local services, and real stories from people who’ve had mental health challenges. Call 0300 123 6621 (Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm) or visit the Mental Health in Portsmouth website

Find more support and advice on our Health and Wellbeing page Mental health support for adults – Portsmouth City Council

Urgent help

If gambling is causing severe distress or thoughts of self-harm, find Help in a mental health emergency – Portsmouth City Council, or contact the below services which are all free and available 24/7:

  • Samaritans – call 116 123
  • Shout – text HANTS to 85258
  • NHS – call 111 and select the mental health option or in an emergency, call 999.

Other useful links