Gambling treatment on the NHS
Gambling treatment on the NHS is free, and in England you can refer yourself to a specialist NHS gambling clinic without seeing your GP first. Treatment is usually based on talking therapy, delivered by clinicians who understand gambling harm. This guide explains how to get referred, what happens at your first appointment, what support is available across the UK and how to protect yourself while you wait.
By the BonusKing editorial team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- NHS gambling clinics in England accept self-referrals, so you do not need a GP letter to start.
- The National Problem Gambling Clinic, run by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, is one of the specialist NHS services.
- Half of the statutory gambling levy, in force since April 2025, is set aside for treatment through the NHS and the Scottish and Welsh Governments.
- GamCare, Gamblers Anonymous and the NHS Wales helpline offer free support alongside or instead of clinic treatment.
- Blocking tools such as GAMSTOP and bank gambling blocks help keep you safe while treatment gets under way.
- Cost
- Free
- Referral (England)
- Self-referral accepted
- Specialist NHS service
- National Problem Gambling Clinic (CNWL)
- Levy share for treatment
- 50%
- NHS Wales helpline
- 0808 2819 265
- National Gambling Helpline
- 0808 8020 133 (24/7)
Who NHS gambling treatment is for
NHS gambling treatment is for anyone whose gambling is causing harm to their money, health, work or relationships, and who wants help to cut down or stop. You do not need to have hit rock bottom, lost a set amount or received a diagnosis first. If gambling is taking up more of your thoughts, time or money than you want it to, that is reason enough.
If you are not sure whether your gambling counts as a problem, our guide to the signs of problem gambling and our answer to how to tell if your gambling is a problem can help you decide. Many people find that simply booking an assessment brings relief.
Treatment can also help people for whom gambling sits alongside other difficulties, such as anxiety, low mood or debt. Our page on gambling and mental health explains how those problems tend to feed each other.
NHS gambling clinics in England
England has specialist NHS gambling clinics that accept self-referrals, including the National Problem Gambling Clinic (opens in a new tab), part of the National Centre for Behavioural Addictions run by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. The NHS guide to gambling addiction (opens in a new tab) explains how to contact the clinics and what they offer.
Each clinic sets its own catchment area, eligibility rules and appointment formats. Check the clinic's own page, or ask when you first get in touch, about waiting times and whether it covers where you live.
| Route | Who you contact | Do you need a referral? |
|---|---|---|
| NHS gambling clinic (England) | The clinic directly | No, self-referral accepted |
| Through your GP | Your GP surgery | The GP can refer you or point you to local services |
| National Gambling Helpline | GamCare, 0808 8020 133 | No; advisers can explain treatment options |
| NHS Wales | NHS Wales gambling helpline, 0808 2819 265 | No |
| Peer support | Gamblers Anonymous | No; meetings are open to anyone who wants to stop |
How to refer yourself for NHS gambling treatment
Self-referral is usually a short process. These steps describe the general route; the exact form and questions vary between clinics:
- Find the NHS gambling clinic that covers your area through the NHS gambling addiction page.
- Complete the clinic's referral form or call its contact number. Have your GP surgery details ready, as clinics often ask for them.
- Answer a few questions about your gambling, health and circumstances. Be as honest as you can; nobody is judging you.
- Wait for the clinic to contact you about an assessment appointment, and ask how long that is likely to take.
- Use the waiting time to put blocks in place and, if it helps, call the National Gambling Helpline for support in the meantime.
What NHS gambling treatment involves
Most gambling treatment starts with an assessment, where a clinician talks with you about your gambling, your health, your money and your support network. Together you agree what you want to achieve, whether that is stopping completely or getting back in control.
Treatment is usually built around talking therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a common approach: it looks at the thoughts, feelings and situations that lead to gambling and helps you build different responses. That can include challenging beliefs such as "a win is due" or "I can get it back", which our page on the gambler's fallacy explains from the maths side.
| Stage | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Assessment | A conversation about your gambling, health, finances and goals |
| Planning | Agreeing what you want to change and how progress will be checked |
| Therapy sessions | Individual or group talking therapy, often including CBT techniques |
| Family involvement | Where offered and wanted, sessions or support for those close to you |
| Relapse prevention | Planning for triggers, high-risk times and what to do after a slip |
| Aftercare | Follow-up support or links to peer groups once sessions end |
Exact services differ from clinic to clinic, so ask what is on offer at your assessment. A slip during treatment is common and is not failure; it is information you and your clinician can use.
How gambling treatment is funded in the UK
Gambling treatment used to rely heavily on voluntary contributions from the industry. That system ended on 31 March 2025, and a statutory levy on gambling operators began on 6 April 2025. Online operators pay 1.1% of the previous year's gross gambling yield, with lower rates for other sectors.
Under the statutory gambling levy (opens in a new tab), 50% of the money goes to treatment through NHS England and the Scottish and Welsh Governments, 30% to prevention and 20% to research. The gambling levy explainer covers the rates and history in more detail.
Gambling treatment in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
In Wales, the NHS Wales gambling helpline on 0808 2819 265 is the place to start. In Scotland, the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 can explain what is available locally, and your GP may be able to point you to local services. Part of the statutory levy for treatment goes to the Scottish and Welsh Governments to fund services there.
Northern Ireland has a separate legal framework for gambling, and Gambling Commission rules do not apply there. Your GP is a good first contact, and Gamblers Anonymous holds meetings across England, Wales and Ulster. For the differences, see gambling law in Northern Ireland.
Other free gambling treatment and support
NHS clinics are not the only route. GamCare (opens in a new tab) runs the National Gambling Helpline by phone, live chat and WhatsApp, 24 hours a day, and also offers one-to-one support, an online programme, recovery courses and help for family and friends. Gamblers Anonymous (opens in a new tab) runs peer-support meetings where people share their experience of stopping.
Many people combine more than one type of help, for example clinic sessions plus a weekly Gamblers Anonymous meeting. Our overview of gambling support in the UK and our answer to where to get help with gambling compare the options.
Protecting yourself while you wait for treatment
There can be a gap between asking for help and your first session. Practical barriers make that time safer and remove a lot of the daily struggle:
- GAMSTOP. Self-exclude from all licensed online gambling sites in Great Britain for 6 months to 5 years. It cannot be cancelled early. See our GAMSTOP guide.
- Bank gambling blocks. Banks including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Monzo, NatWest, Santander and Starling offer blocks on gambling payments; some, such as Lloyds and Starling, add a 48-hour delay before you can switch them off. Read about bank gambling blocks.
- Blocking software. Apps such as Gamban stop gambling sites loading on your devices. The guide to blocking software explains how they work.
- Marketing opt-out. Turn off gambling emails, texts and calls in your account settings so you are not tempted by messages.
When you self-exclude, licensed operators must close your accounts and return your funds. Our answer on what happens to your balance if you self-exclude covers the details.
Support for families and help with debt
Gambling harm affects partners, children, parents and friends too. GamCare supports people affected by someone else's gambling, and some treatment services involve family members where the person in treatment agrees. Our guide for family members of gamblers explains what is available, and our page on talking to someone about gambling helps with that first conversation.
Debt is often part of the picture, and dealing with it can make treatment easier to stick with. Free debt charities can help you set up a plan, and our gambling debt help page explains where to start. All our safer gambling tools and guides are collected in the safer gambling hub.
If you are in crisis or feel unsafe, call 999 or Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time. For gambling support at any hour, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get gambling treatment on the NHS?
Yes. The NHS offers free treatment for gambling problems, and specialist NHS gambling clinics in England accept self-referrals, so you can contact them directly without seeing your GP first. Treatment usually involves an assessment followed by talking therapy. In Wales, start with the NHS Wales helpline on 0808 2819 265. Our UK gambling support guide lists every free service.
Do I need to see my GP to get gambling treatment?
No, not in England. NHS gambling clinics accept self-referrals, so you can fill in a clinic's referral form or call it directly. Seeing your GP can still help, especially if gambling is affecting your mood, sleep or physical health, because they can offer wider support and point you to local services. The page on gambling and mental health explains why looking at both can help.
What is the National Problem Gambling Clinic?
The National Problem Gambling Clinic is a specialist NHS service for people with gambling problems. It is part of the National Centre for Behavioural Addictions, run by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, and it accepts self-referrals. It is one of several NHS gambling clinics in England. Contact the clinic for details of eligibility and waiting times, or read where to get help with gambling for other options.
What happens at a gambling treatment assessment?
An assessment is a conversation with a clinician about your gambling, your health, your finances and the people around you. They will ask how often you gamble, what you play and how it affects your life, then agree goals with you, such as stopping completely. It is not a test you can fail. Being honest helps them suggest the right support. Our guide to the signs of problem gambling covers the kinds of things they may ask about.
Is NHS gambling treatment free?
Yes, NHS gambling treatment is free at the point of use. Since April 2025, it has been supported by a statutory levy on gambling operators, with half of the money going to treatment through NHS England and the Scottish and Welsh Governments. GamCare's helpline and Gamblers Anonymous meetings are also free. Our page on the statutory gambling levy explains how the funding works.
How long does gambling treatment take?
There is no single answer, because treatment is tailored to each person. Talking therapy is usually delivered over a series of weekly or regular sessions, followed by relapse-prevention planning and sometimes aftercare. Waiting times for a first appointment also vary by clinic, so ask when you refer. Blocking tools help keep you safe in the meantime; see our guide on how to take a break from gambling.
Can I get gambling treatment in Northern Ireland?
Gambling rules in Northern Ireland are separate from those in Great Britain, and Gambling Commission protections do not apply there. Your GP is a good first contact for treatment options, and Gamblers Anonymous holds peer-support meetings in Ulster as well as England and Wales. Our page on gambling law in Northern Ireland explains the different framework and what it means for players.
What should I do while waiting for gambling treatment?
Put practical barriers in place so you are not relying on willpower alone. GAMSTOP excludes you from licensed online gambling sites for 6 months to 5 years, bank gambling blocks stop card payments, and blocking software stops sites loading on your devices. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 if you need to talk. See our guides to GAMSTOP and bank gambling blocks.