Gambling support services

Are you worried about gambling? Concerned for yourself or someone you know?

One in 15 Greater Manchester residents are experiencing the harmful impacts of gambling.

Harms associated with gambling include mental ill health, relationship breakdown, financial difficulties and poor performance at work or school. These harms may be experienced by the person who gambles or by family or friends of someone who gambles.

Services available in Greater Manchester

Chapter One

If you or someone you know is affected by gambling, help is available. Chapter One has a range of information and resources for you to explore further.

The Beacon Counselling Trust

Deliver a free gambling support service for individuals and families affected by problem gambling.

This service includes a telephone helpline, live chat rooms and forums and following assessment; face to face engagement i.e., one to one counselling; couple counselling; and group counselling; along with a number of advice and guidance platforms including debt management and social support. 

Visit the Beacon Counselling Trust website

NHS Northern Gambling Service 

if you're aged 18 and over and have an existing gambling problem and:

• mental health difficulties. For example, depression, anxiety, trauma or suicidal feelings
• alcohol or drug misuse
• concerns about risk of harm to yourself or others
• frequent involvement with the criminal justice system or a history of serious offending
• adverse experiences in childhood that may underlie the gambling problem
• developmental problems. For example, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or difficulties with cognitive or intellectual functioning
• serious physical health difficulties

Call 0300 300 1490 or you can email referral.ngs@nhs.net, providing a contact number.

Mutual aid groups

A group of people with similar experiences helping each other to overcome their issues. Groups involve people coming together to build a confidential peer support network and offer a supportive and long-term environment to help you recover.

Gamblers Anonymous

Regular meetings take place in Greater Manchester. Visit the gamblers anonymous website.

GamAnon 

Confidential support from other people who've been affected by someone else’s gambling. Regular meetings take place across Greater Manchester. Visit the gamblers anonymous website.

Other support services

• The Mix provides information on what a gambling addiction is, who is most likely to be affected, what are the temptations, difficulties that may be encountered, and how to deal with a relapse.
  
• The Money Advice Service provides free and impartial money advice via web chat or call 0800 138 7777 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm). 
• Gambling With Lives offers therapeutic mental health and bereavement support for anyone affected by a gambling related suicide, including peer support, counselling and support with legal proceedings. You can also email support@gamblingwithlives.org.

For children and young people

• GamCare provides information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gaming. GamCare Helpline free on 0808 8020 133 (8am to midnight). Download their leaflet.
• Big Deal shares experiences of young people that have developed addictions including football betting.
• Childline can provide support with addiction – call their 24/7 free phone line 0800 1111

For organisations

• PSHE – network gambling educational resources include a podcast.
• Skins in the Game – research from the Royal Society of Public Health which has some interesting insights from the young people.
• National Audit Office – report which looks at gambling harms and call for changes to how the industry is regulated.
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) - for more information about what is being done across Greater Manchester around problem gambling 
• Trafford Directory - offers free, impartial advice and guidance service connecting Trafford families, young people and caregivers with local support services.