Gambling can affect anyone, and its impact often reaches far beyond the person gambling. This page offers clear information on recognising gambling‑related harm and highlights local and national support services in Nottingham for anyone affected.
On this page
- Are You Having Problems With Gambling?
- Gambling Related Harm Myth Busting – True or False?
- How To Seek Urgent Help
- Need Someone To Talk To? (24 Hour Helpline)
- Self-Help Guide – Tips To Reduce And Prevent Harm
- Free & Local Support
- Support For Young People
- Useful Tools - GamBan / GamStop / MOSES
- Nottingham City Gambling Related Harm Strategy 2023-2028
Are You Having Problems With Gambling?
Recognising Gambling Related Harm - a Checklist
Signs to look out for in yourself and others that indicate risk of gambling-related harm
- Are you preoccupied, finding it hard to concentrate or getting distracted by thinking or worrying about or planning to gamble whilst you are at work or spending time with friends?
- Are you withdrawing from social situations so that you can instead gamble or place a bet?
- Do you find yourself 'chasing losses', where instead of feeling motivated to win money, you are motivated to win back the money you have already lost?
- Do you find yourself lying to others about the time you spend gambling, or hiding how much you are spending?
- Is someone you know showing noticeable changes to their mood?
- Are you or someone you know having trouble sleeping? You might find you are gambling on your phone during the night, or finding it difficult to get to sleep with anxiety or worry?
- Are you noticing financial signs such as money missing from shared bank accounts, or is someone you know often short of money or looking at taking out a loan?
- Have you found that gambling has taken priority or caused you to risk losing a significant relationship, job, or other important opportunities?
- Have you tried to reduce the time or money you spend on gambling but with limited success?
These signs might help identify if your own or someone else's gambling has become harmful.
There is a more detailed questionnaire available on the NHS website. (opens in new tab)
Gamble Aware (opens in new tab) have also created a short quiz which takes a few minutes to complete and will start to give an insight into how gambling might be affecting you, or someone you care about. Once complete, you will be provided with tailored support should you want it.
Gambling Related Harm Myth Busting – True or False?
Harms caused by gambling just involve losing money
Gambling can be more than just losing money. Harms to mental health, relationships, social life, and physical health are also common. Some people lose their jobs, their homes, their families, or become involved in crime.
You can't be addicted to gambling
The feeling that motivates you to keep gambling involves the same changes in brain chemistry that individuals who use alcohol and drugs experience. It takes more and more of that behaviour to experience the same "high". If that compulsion becomes overwhelming, it can become an addiction.
Gambling is a good way to make money or to 'get rich quick'
Gambling always involves risking money on something where the outcome is uncertain. Gambling is a game of chance and there is never a guarantee that you're going to win. Chasing losses can drive you further into debt.
Children and young people are less likely to experience gambling related harms
Children and young people can suffer the same harms as adults and are increasingly more at risk of developing a gambling problem. This is likely due to the accessibility of gambling activity through apps, websites and games. Based on national statistics, it is estimated that almost 1000 in-school 11-16 year olds in Nottingham show signs of a gambling problem.
I won't experience gambling related harm because I don't gamble every day.
Even people who do not gamble often can suffer harm to their mental, physical, and emotional health, relationships and financial wellbeing.
I won’t experience gambling related harm if I am not gambling huge amounts of money.
The amount of money spent does not determine when gambling is likely to cause harm. Gambling can cause a negative impact on any area of an individual's life, not just the financial side.
Gambling-related harms are easy to recognise.
Gambling and gambling harm can be hard to identify and relatively easy to hide, particularly if a person gambles online. Look out for changes in a person's behaviour and ensure they have a trusted support network in place can help identify issues sooner.
Only people who go into casinos or bookies are at risk of gambling-related harm.
Gambling takes many forms, and all of them can harm you. It covers a range of activities such as casino games, sports betting, lotteries, bingo, online gaming, and scratch cards to name a few. There are now many ways to gamble both online and in-person.
The more you gamble, the more likely it is that you will win.
Each time you place a bet or make a spin on a gambling machine, your chance of winning or losing remain the same. This doesn’t change because of the amount money you have spent before, or whether you feel you are 'due a win'. Every bet or spin is independent of the last one. The odds are always in favour of the gambling company.
How To Seek Urgent Help
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be a risk of harming themselves then please contact 999.
Visit the ASKLiON Mental Health page for emergency mental health support information.
Need Someone To Talk To? (24 Hour Helpline)
GamCare - Gambling Support Starts Here
Chat with an Adviser one to one for confidential advice, information and emotional support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 0800 8020 133
Live Chat, WhatsApp Chat or Messenger Chat available via website below
Self-Help Guide – Tips To Reduce And Prevent Harm
Self-Help Guide – Tips to reduce and prevent harm
- Talk to someone you trust if you are worried that your gambling is beginning to cause you or others harm. Help is available. It is never too early or too late to seek help for your gambling.
Help, advice, and support is available on this page under ‘Need Someone To Talk to?’ and ‘Free and Local Support’. Information about blocking and self-exclusion tools is under the ‘Useful Tools – GamBan / GamStop / MOSES’ tab.
- Remember the best way to avoid harm is to stop gambling, and that support is available to help you do that. If you find that you are unable to stop gambling at the moment, here are some tips to reduce your risk of experiencing harm.
- Think about how much gambling is costing you.
- What else could you do with that time? Set time limits to avoid losing track of the time you spend gambling. Plan a different enjoyable activity to do when your time is up.
- What else could you spend that money on? Set affordable money limits for yourself. Use cash to help you keep track of and limit your spending (when it's spent, it's spent).
- Try to walk away from losses. Often chasing losses ends up only losing you more money.
Free & Local Support
East Midlands NHS Gambling Harm Clinic
An NHS gambling harm service for adults affected by gambling in the East Midlands. This service can be accessed virtually or in-person in Derby.
Telephone: 0300 013 2330
Al-Hurraya Gambling Addiction Support Service
We provide a bespoke service that includes culturally specific one to one counselling to overcome the challenges BAMER clients with gambling issues face. This is done with a public health approach.
Telephone: 0115 7869206
Email: info@al-hurraya.org
Time Out Gambling Project - Double Impact
Double Impact’s ‘TimeOut’ is a new face-to-face, solution focused Gambling Recovery Service based in Nottingham City Centre. We know how it feels to experience harms from gambling and how desperate the struggle feels to reduce or stop gambling. We also know how to stop gambling, stay stopped and the life possibilities that can follow – we know because we’ve been there.
Here at TimeOut we are passionate about starting the conversation, reducing the stigma associated with a gambling harms and empowering individuals to recover.
We offer:
- Holistic support, screening & recovery planning
- Guided peer-led support groups
- Recovery Planning based on your goals, your strengths and assets
- Helping you access wider/ specialist support
If you would like to talk to us about your gambling and find a different way that works for you, phone or email us in confidence. To self-refer or make a referral for someone else:
Telephone: 07706 732649
Email: timeout@doubleimpact.org.uk
Time Out has also created an extensive database of useful resources such as a screening and referral pathway to GamCare, gambling support services available both locally in Nottingham and nationally, helpful tools and apps to assist with recovery and a dedicated section for financial/debt help.
Find out more by visiting the Time Out website
GamCare East Midlands
Free, confidential structured support for anyone aged 18 and over, experiencing gambling related harms. Regular clinics are held at the Wellbeing Hub (73 Hounds Gate, NG1 6BB) with a new drop in service recently launched.
Telephone: 01522 274880
Email: east.midlands@gamcare.org.uk
Chapter One
Chapter One provides information and support for everyone affected by gambling, including training for professionals. Created by those with personal and professional experience, Chapter One gives the facts on the causes and effects of gambling harm, along with how to access protective tools and effective treatment options, free from gambling industry influence.
Contact: James Grimes, Head of Prevention
Telephone: 07518347610
E-mail: hello@chapter-one.org
Gambling with Lives
A charity set up by families bereaved by gambling that provides support, raises awareness of gambling disorder’s devastating effects, and campaigns for change. If you’ve been bereaved by gambling-related suicide, we can help. Our Family Service offers Bereavement, Investigation, Community, Campaigning and Therapeutic support for families and friends bereaved by a suicide directly caused or influenced by gambling.
Contact: Judith Williams, Head of Family Support and Community
Telephone: 07565944042
E-mail: hello@gamblingwithlives.org
Visit Gambling With Lives website
Gamble Aware
Explore information, advice and support services that have helped others to regain control, or stop gambling altogether. You can also access useful tools to help you feel in control again.
GamAnon UK
GamAnon is a peer led support group for affected others of people who experience gambling problems. GamAnon groups can be accessed online or in person, however there are no in person groups in the East Midlands at present.
EPIC Restart Foundation
EPIC Restart Foundation are a charity offering free support after treatment for people affected by gambling through lived experience mentoring and coaching.
Visit EPIC Restart Foundation Website
Sporting Chance
Sporting Chance are a national sport funded organisation offering free gambling harm treatments for professional sportspeople.
Tackling Gambling Stigma
Tackling Gambling Stigma uses research to bring together powerful stories from a wide range of people affected by gambling harm. On their website you will find out what it is like to experience gambling addiction or be harmed by gambling through reading, listening and watching people share their stories.
Visit Tackling Gambling Stigma Website
Support For Young People
GamCare Youth Programme
Free, confidential 1-2-1 structured support for anyone aged 11-25 affected by gambling harm, including through cryptocurrency and gaming. This service also provides support, advice and signposting for parents, families and professionals.
Visit the GamCare Youth Programme Webpage
Or make a Referral
Useful Tools - GamBan / GamStop / MOSES
GamBan - Website & App Blocker
is downloadable software to block gambling websites and apps on computers, mobile phones and tablets. This can be accessed for free via the National Gambling Helpline 0808 802 0133.
GamStop - Free Online Self-Exclusion
FREE ONLINE SELF-EXCLUSION
GAMSTOP helps you control your online gambling.
Once registered you will be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing.
It only takes a few minutes to sign up with GAMSTOP. Just tell us a few details about yourself and let us confirm your identity.
Multi Operator Self Exclusion Scheme (MOSES)
Are you concerned about the time and money you spend gambling?
We can help you make a commitment to stay away from betting shops. For other self-exclusion and support options, visit here.
Alternatively contact the helpline on 0800 294 2060
Visit the Self Exclusion Website
Nottingham City Gambling Related Harm Strategy 2023-2028
Nottingham City Council has worked with an alliance of experts, groups and organisations who are committed to working together to help people affected by gambling related harm. Our Gambling Related Harm Strategy 2023-2028 explains how we will take a public health approach to prevent and reduce harm in Nottingham.
Click here to read the Gambling Related Harm Strategy
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