Financial Support and Gambling Harms

Quick links: FAQs | Financial support | Treatment for gambling harms

Struggling with money worries or gambling?
You’re not alone.

Worries about money, like debt, rising prices, or not feeling secure in your job - can have a big impact on your mental health. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of UK adults say they are worried about a friend, family member, or colleague’s wellbeing because of money problems.

Getting support through practical help, advice, and honest conversations can reduce stress and help you feel more in control. No one should have to face money problems alone.

Sometimes, people try gambling to improve their money situation. They might not know the risks involved. Gambling can seem like a way out of financial struggles, but it can lead to more harm. It can affect your mental health, relationships, and life stability.

In the North East, around 1 in 20 adults (4.9% of people aged 16 and over) are affected by gambling-related harm (the negative effects gambling can have on your life, like money problems, stress, or relationship breakdowns).

Free, non-judgemental support is available for anyone who is struggling with money or gambling – and for their loved ones too.

The National Gambling Helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call 0808 8020 133 for free and confidential support.

Frequently asked questions about gambling

  • Gambling means risking something valuable. usually money, on something where the result is uncertain, like a game or an event.

    Gambling can include things like:

    • arcades

    • betting (online, at an event, or in a high street bookmaker’s shop)

    • bingo (online or in a bingo hall)

    • casino games (online or in a casino)

    • lotteries (including raffles, tombolas, and sweepstakes)

    • gambling machines (like fruit machines or fixed-odds betting terminals)

    • scratch cards

  • Gambling harms are the negative effects that can happen because of gambling. These harms can affect different parts of a person’s life, including:

    • mental health and wellbeing - such as feeling anxious, stressed, or low

    • money problems - like debt or struggling to pay for everyday things

    • relationships - including family arguments or losing trust with loved ones

    • education and work - such as missing school, college, or struggling to keep a job

    • crime or antisocial behaviour - doing things that break the law or cause harm to others

  • The effects of gambling harms are not only felt by the person who is gambling; they can also impact family, friends, and others around them.

    For example, money problems caused by gambling can affect the whole household. Relationship breakdowns can also have lasting effects on children and loved ones.

  • Some signs that gambling may be causing harm include:

    • gambling again on another day to try and win back money that was lost (this is sometimes called chasing losses)

    • lying to hide how much or how often you are gambling

    • feeling guilty about gambling, or gambling when feeling upset or stressed

    • gambling more money than you can afford to lose

    • gambling with larger amounts of money to feel the same level of excitement

    • borrowing money to gamble

    • trying to cut down or stop gambling but not being able to

    • feeling angry or frustrated after losing money through gambling

  • It can be very difficult to stop gambling, and gambling harm is more common than people might think. Many gambling products are designed to be addictive, and constant advertising can make it even harder for someone to stop.

    To learn more about how gambling products are designed to keep people playing, please visit Chapter One’s (gambling addiction support) website.

  • It’s important to know that children and young people can also be affected by gambling harms (the negative effects gambling can have on your life, like money problems, stress or relationship breakdowns).

    Research shows that:

    • around 55,000 children aged 11 to 16 in the UK are addicted to gambling

    • in 2023, 26% of young people aged 11 to 17 had spent their own money on some form of gambling

    Young people may be exposed to gambling through adverts, games, social media, or family members who gamble. Talking openly and honestly about the risks can help keep them safe.

  • There is lots of help out there for anyone facing money worries or gambling issues.

    Keep scrolling to find local services that can support you or someone you care about.

Financial support in South Tees

  • South Tees Community Bank

    Moneywise is a community bank that supports people in South Tees who are struggling with money and may not be able to get help from traditional banks.

    They offer affordable loans, savings accounts, and financial support to help with essential costs or managing debt. Their aim is to improve financial wellbeing by providing low-cost, fair, and supportive financial services to our local community.

    The Middlesbrough branch is located at 15 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 1RU.

    The Redcar & Cleveland branch is located at 14 High Street, Redcar, TS10 3DU.

    Visit the Moneywise website for more information.

    Or, to speak with a member of the Moneywise team, call 0330 165 5337 or email admin@moneywise.org.uk.

  • Citizens Advice Middlesbrough

    Middlesbrough Citizens Advice offers free, confidential, and impartial advice to help people with a wide range of issues – including debt, housing, work, and family matters.

    Their team of trained advisors and volunteers are there to listen, guide, and support you in finding the best solutions for your situation.

    For more information, please visit the Middlesbrough Citizens Advice website.

  • Citizens Advice Redcar & Cleveland

    Citizens Advice Redcar & Cleveland supports local people with a wide range of issues - including energy bills, debt, employment, and benefits.

    You can get free and confidential advice in person, over the phone, or online. They also offer drop-in sessions and outreach services in the community.

    They work closely with local agencies and charities to make sure you get the help you need.

    Visit the Redcar & Cleveland Citizens Advice website for more information.

  • Making Every Contact Count

    Making Every Contact Count (MECC) helps health and social care staff have everyday conversations with people about their health and wellbeing.

    These conversations are all about supporting you to make small, positive changes – like eating well, moving more, or getting help with money worries.

    The MECC Gateway is a helpful website where you can take control of your own health and wellbeing.

    It’s easy to use – just choose the section you’re interested in, enter your postcode, and it will show you local support. You’ll find information on everything from healthy living to money advice and gambling support.

    Visit the MECC website for more information.

  • Middlesbrough Foodbank

    Middlesbrough Foodbank is a community project supported by local churches and organisations, working together to help people in the area who are facing hunger.

    They work closely with schools, health workers, charities, and other local services to make sure people in need can access emergency food. If you need support, you’ll be given a voucher that you can use at one of their local foodbanks to collect food.

    For more information, visit the Middlesbrough Foodbank website.

    Or you can email info@middlesbrough.foodbank.org.uk or call - 07954 131337 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).

  • Redcar & Cleveland Foodbank

    Redcar & Cleveland Foodbank provides emergency food and support to people who are struggling because of a crisis.

    They work with local care professionals like doctors, social workers, and support workers - who can give out vouchers or electronic referrals to people in need. These vouchers can be used at one of nine local foodbanks to collect three days’ worth of emergency food.

    People can use up to three vouchers within a six-month period.

    For more information, visit the Footprints in the Community (Redcar Foodbank) website or email: info@redcararea.foodbank.org.uk

  • Middlesbrough Council Welfare Rights Service

    Middlesbrough Council’s Welfare Rights Team helps residents understand what benefits they can claim, supports them with applications and appeals, and offers appointments in person or at home for those who are housebound.

    To make an appointment, please visit the Middlesbrough Council website.

    Or for more information, please email the team today at welfarerights@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

  • Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Welfare Rights

    Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s website has clear and helpful information about different types of benefits, how to get Council Tax support, and what to do if you suspect benefit fraud.

    For more information, please visit the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council website.

Treatment for gambling harms

Treatment, support and blocking tools for gambling harms

Do you need emergency support?

The National Gambling Helpline is open for 24/7 support. The contact number is 0808 8020 133.

There are two treatment providers in the North East that you can access for free, both online and in person:

  1. The NHS Northern Gambling Service: The Northern Gambling Clinic provides specialist addiction therapy and recovery to people affected by gambling addiction.

  2. NECA: NECA provide gambling advice and gambling support methods to help those experiencing harms to alter behaviours.

There are many free support services too:

  • Gamblers Anonymous provide local in-person support using the 12 steps approach to recovery.

  • The EPIC Restart Foundation is a lived experience led recovery programme to rebuild lives after gambling harm.

  • Chapter One is a charity for anyone experiencing gambling harms.

  • GamLearn is a lived experience network for those impacted directly and indirectly by gambling harms.

Support for friends and family members

  • Gambling with Lives support people bereaved by gambling-related suicide.

  • GamFam is a charity for affected others offering suport through GRA5P, a 5-stage peer support programme.

  • Gam-Anon meetings are for anyone who has been affected by a loved one’s gambling.

Blocking tools

  • You can exclude from betting shops for 12 months and can be done in person or via MOSES (multi operator self exclusion scheme).

  • Gamban blocks online gambling including websites and apps. This is free to UK residents via TalkBanStop.

  • GAMSTOP is a free service that will block opening or accessing gambling accounts in the person’s name with all licensed online UK gambling companies.

  • To self-exclude from casinos, join the SENSE scheme via the self-exclusion form.