Gambling may seem like the answer to money problems or a way to make money to afford some luxuries. Gambling should never be viewed as a way to make money – the longer you gamble, the more you will lose. The chances of a big win are very small, and never guaranteed.

If you’ve lent money to a gambler or borrowed money to gamble, just thinking about your finances might make you feel overwhelmed and stressed. If you are facing financial difficulties because of your own or someone else’s gambling, getting your finances under control is an important step.

Managing your finances

If there is someone you trust, such as partner, a close friend or family member, it might be a good idea to consider handing over control of your finances to them temporarily.

This may help you to start to address your gambling issues but remember this is not likely to be a permanent solution. Also think carefully about how you might behave if the urge to gamble is particularly strong. If there is any potential that the person who is looking after your finances would be at risk at these times, then this isn’t a safe option for you or them. Call us on 0808 8020 133 or live chat if you would like to talk this through.

If you’re helping someone who struggles with gambling, helping them to manage their finances is an important and positive step for them to regain control. Make sure this is the right for you – as we mention above, consider how the gambler may behave towards you when the urge to gamble is particularly strong. If you have concerns about whether that’s the right option for your situation, you can talk to us about it.

If a gambler has more than one bank account, aggregator apps (e.g. Money Dashboard, Emma) can help a trusted person view all gambler’s accounts in one place, including credit card and savings accounts. Check if you can access these services via your browser, as mobile apps may require fingerprint or Face ID to unlock.

Next Steps

Budgeting and priority bills

Whether you’re still gambling, or you’ve stopped, deep in debt or just spending more than you should, tackling your finances is going to improve your life and help you regain some control. Planning exactly how much you have to spend on your bills, food, travel and other necessities will help you work out how much you have left. Prioritise your bills, rent or mortgage, food and household essentials – make sure these are covered as soon as soon as you get paid.

If your gambling is negatively affecting household finances, make a budget to understand how much money you have coming in, going out and how much is being spent on gambling. If your partner or loved one is gambling, they may not be aware how much they are spending or how it is affecting other financial commitments, so creating a budget is a good reality check. Recognising what is actually being spent on gambling can be very uncomfortable, but it is often a first step to making changes.

Access to cash and credit

We would suggest only carrying a limited amount of money with you and to avoid carrying bank cards so that gambling urges have a limited impact on your finances.

Ask your family and friends not to lend you money, as this may make it easier for you to gamble beyond your means. It may be difficult to stick to your budget, but explain to your loved ones that this will help in the long run.

If you are a family member or friend of someone with a gambling problem, we would advise that you don’t lend them money, as this could exacerbate the problem. It can be difficult to say no, but remember that bailing them out may make things worse in the long run. Consider warning other family members, friends and co-workers not to lend money. If you have valuables and cash at home, think of putting them somewhere they are not easily accessed.

Talking to your bank

Whether you’re worried about your own or a loved one’s gambling, there are ways that your bank can help you take back control of your finances.

Many banks in the UK now offer gambling blocks that allow customers freeze gambling transactions on their account. If you want to implement these, your bank should explain how to do this, or could even do it for you. Please be aware that these blocks are not permanent, they can be switched on and off with varying delays, so it’s also a good idea to have other support in place if you want to stop gambling completely.

To reassure you, the use of these gambling blocks will not affect your credit score and are never factored into lending decisions.

Some banks may also allow you to set a spending limit for a single debit card transaction, or temporarily freeze your card if you feel like your spending is getting out of control. This will vary from bank to bank so check what protections your bank can put in place for you. Click here to see which banks currently offer gambling blocks.

Get help with debt

If your financial commitments are becoming unmanageable, it is important not to ignore it – speak to the bank or lender about your situation as soon as possible. Ignoring your debt is likely to make the situation worse and make you more anxious.

Use the Debt Advice Locator tool to find free and independent advice now. A debt adviser will never judge you or make you feel bad about your situation, but they will suggest ways to deal with debts, some of which you may not be aware of.

It’s particularly important to seek advice if you are a partner or otherwise financially linked to someone with a gambling problem. You need to find out whether you are jointly liable for any of the debts or if only the gambler is liable.

Protecting your money if you're linked to a gambler financially

If you’re financially linked to someone that struggles to control their gambling, consider taking steps to cancel or remove the gambler’s access to any joint accounts. Keeping your money separate from theirs can help protect your credit score and protect you financially. You can also talk to your bank about any other measures they can put in place to help you.

We would advise you to make sure that the gambler does not have access to a substantial amount of money without your knowledge (e.g. through re-mortgaging your home or taking out a loan, in either their or your name). It’s also important to check your credit report regularly to check for any new credit applications in your name.