You can get confidential help or support with gambling or gaming in Dudley. If you are worried about how gambling makes you feel or if someone you know is struggling with gambling, you are not alone. At least 2.5 million people in the Midlands are directly affected by harmful gambling.
Gambling can harm many areas of your life and the life of your loved ones including mental health, relationships, finances and futures. There is support to recovery for anyone, whether, you want to stop gambling or need help to support someone you care about.
Is my gambling a problem?
You can assess whether your gambling is causing harm with this short quiz.
| never | sometimes | most of the time | almost always | |
| Have you bet more than you could afford? | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Have people criticised your betting or mentioned a gambling problem? | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble? | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
A total score of 4 or higher, means you may be a problem gambler. Seek confidential support and advice.
Support with gambling
If you’re struggling with gambling and want to take back control, here are a few places you can go to get confidential, non-judgmental, and expert advice.
NHS West Midlands Gambling Harms Service
The West Midlands Gambling Harms Service provides free and confidential support and treatment online or in-person. They can support you to addresses individual challenges and offer support and advice to family members and carers. To access the service you must be:
- 18 years old and above
- Registered with a Dudley GP (other West Midlands areas may be eligible check their website)
- Have problems with gambling that are harming yourself or others
You can self-refer or call 0300 123 0996
GamCare
GamCare provide information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gambling, those affected by someone else’s gambling and a support service for under 18’s. They will talk you through all options available for support in your local area, online or over the phone.
Call their helpline on 0808 8020 133 or find out all the different ways you can contact them
Childline
Offers a range of ways to talk to a trained counsellor, including via email and an online chat service.
Call for free on 0800 1111 or visit Childline website
Aquarius
Aquarius is a West Midlands-based group, they of offer help to overcome harms caused by alcohol, drugs, and gambling. They work closely with families, and friends throughout the recovery journey.
Gamble Aware
Gamble Aware offers online advice and support and has a range of self-help tools that can help you reduce your gambling and a national directory of support providers.
Struggling with someone else’s gambling
It’s important to be honest with the person whose gambling is affecting you.
GamAnon provides local support groups for those affected by someone else’s gambling problem. Find your nearest group.
Urgent help and support
Samaritans
If you’re feeling suicidal or worried someone else is, visit the Samaritans website or call 116 123 at any time, for free, or email jo@samaritans.org
Support with alcohol and other substances
Alcohol and substance abuse often come hand in hand with gambling, we have services in Dudley that offer a range of support options to suit you.
Useful resources and links
Dudley’s community safety partnership have a gaming and gambling page for useful websites, documents, and resources offering information and support.