Lots of resident's 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.
Select the below support services to view information on support available in Chorley and nationally.
- Early warning signs
- Specialist gambling services
- Dealing with the impacts of gambling
- Gambling blocks and limits
Early warning signs
There are several 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 terminal
- feeling anxious, worried, guilty, depressed, or irritable
- finding it hard to manage or stop your gambling
- losing interest in usual activities or hobbies and neglecting work, family, and personal needs/responsibilities
- chasing losses or gambling to get out of financial trouble
- having arguments with family or friends about money and gambling
- lying about your gambling or hiding it from other people
- needing to gamble with more money or for a longer period to get the same feeling of excitement
- borrowing money, selling possessions, or not paying bills to pay for gambling.
Specialist gambling services
- Beacon Counselling Trust
- Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board : gambling harms
- National Gambling Helpline
- Citizens Advice
- Gamble Aware
- Gordon Moody
- Gamblers Anonymous
- GamFam
- Breakthrough Recovery Group Chorley
Dealing with the impacts of gambling
- 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
- Money Helper - for information relating to debt and gambling.
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 the 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.
View advice on limiting gambling adverts online on the Gamble Aware website.
- view how to block gambling payments with your bank on the Gambling Commission website
- to self-exclude from online gambling visit GamStop and GamBan
- to self-exclude from arcade and adult gaming centres you need to speak to the staff in your local centre
- view how to self-exclude from bingo venues on the Bingo Association website
- view how to self-exclude from casinos on the Betting and Gaming Council website.