Free and confidential advice and support is available in Greater Manchester for people who gamble, people who are worried about someone else’s gambling, or for people recovering from past gambling. You are not alone.

Over half of the population has participated in some form of gambling in the past year. One in 15 residents in Greater Manchester experience gambling related harms, when the impact on children, friends and families is considered. Recognising the warning signs can help identify when it might be time to seek help for yourself or others.

There are a number of signs to look out for, these include:

  • Gambling on higher risk products, such as online slots, casino games and bingo, in-play sports betting and fixed odds betting terminals
  • Feeling anxious, worried, guilty, depressed or irritable
  • Spending more money and time on gambling than you can afford
  • Finding it hard to manage or stop your gambling
  • Having arguments with family or friends about money and gambling
  • Losing interest in usual activities or hobbies and neglecting work, family and personal needs/responsibilities
  • Always thinking or talking about gambling
  • Lying about your gambling or hiding it from other people
  • Chasing losses or gambling to get out of financial trouble
  • Gambling until all of your money is gone
  • Borrowing money, selling possessions or not paying bills in order to pay for gambling
  • Needing to gamble with more money or for a longer period of time to get the same feeling of excitement

Specialist gambling services

All services are free at the point of access. These services can accessed directly via a self-referral or a referral from friend or family member. If would like to discuss your options or you aren’t sure which of these services best meet your needs, contact your GP or another trusted professional who will be able to help you find the right support for your circumstances.

Peer support groups and advice

Dealing with the impacts of gambling

There are many services providing advice and support to help manage the consequences of a gambling disorder, such as debt, housing, legal or relationship advice. 

Gambling blocks and limits

In the same way that you use a seatbelt to protect yourself when driving, there are a number of tools available to protect you when gambling, these include setting deposit and time limits to make sure you don't spend more time or money than you planned to.

  • All licensed gambling operators must offer safer gambling tools such as deposit limits and time reminders, these vary by operator but can be activated by visiting the "safer gambling" section of operator websites. In addition you can limit the number of marketing emails you receive by updating your mailing preferences and "opt out" from promotional messages and inducements to gamble.
  • Advice for how to block advertising on Facebook and Twitter

Self-exclusion is a tool which you can use to block all access to different online and in-person gambling products (you may need to self-exclude multiple times to cover all gambling products and premises). You cannot self-exclude on behalf of someone else. Where you are required to visit a premise in person to self-exclude, it is recommended that you visit with a trusted friend to help reduce the temptation to gamble.