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Problem gambling often leads to debt. We explain how to assess gambling debt, prioritise repayments, and find free debt advice in the UK.
Problem gambling often leads to debt. The good news is that gambling debt can be tackled. Free advice is available in the UK to help you manage and repay gambling debt.
This guide covers how to assess gambling debt, prioritise repayments, and find free debt advice.
Problem gambling can lead to significant debt:
• Average problem gambler debt: £15,000-£30,000
• Severe problem gambler debt: £50,000-£100,000+
• Bankruptcy rates among problem gamblers: significantly higher than the general population
Gambling debt is unique because:
• It's often hidden (credit cards, loans, family borrowing)
• It can grow quickly (large bets, frequent play)
• It's stigmatised (people are reluctant to seek help)
• It's connected to underlying gambling problems (debt can trigger more gambling)
Using credit cards to fund gambling is common:
• High interest rates (typically 20-30% APR)
• Minimum payments keep the balance growing
• Can quickly spiral out of control
Taking personal loans to fund gambling or pay off gambling debt:
• Fixed interest rates
• Fixed monthly payments
• Can consolidate multiple debts
Payday loans are particularly dangerous:
• Very high interest rates (1,000%+ APR)
• Short repayment terms
• Cycle of debt
Money borrowed from family or friends:
• Strained relationships
• Often informal (no formal agreement)
• Can lead to conflict
Using home equity to fund gambling is risky:
• Your home is at risk if you can't repay
• Higher borrowing capacity
• Long-term consequences
Using bank overdrafts for gambling:
• High fees and interest
• Can affect credit rating
• May need to switch banks
Make a complete list of all your gambling-related debts:
• Creditor name
• Total amount owed
• Interest rate
• Minimum payment
• Due date
Include all forms of debt: credit cards, loans, payday loans, overdrafts, family loans, mortgage arrears.
Make a budget:
• Income (salary, benefits, other income)
• Essential expenses (rent, bills, food, transport)
• Non-essential expenses (entertainment, subscriptions)
• Available for debt repayment
The difference between income and essential expenses is what you can allocate to debt repayment.
Prioritise based on:
#### Priority 1: Secured debts
• Mortgage arrears
• Rent arrears
• Council tax arrears
Losing your home or facing court action is the most serious consequence. Prioritise these.
#### Priority 2: Essential living expenses
• Rent (current)
• Council tax (current)
• Utility bills
• Child maintenance
These keep your life functioning. Pay them to avoid disconnection or court action.
#### Priority 3: Debt with severe consequences
• Court fines
• Tax debts (HMRC)
• Child support arrears
These can lead to serious legal consequences.
#### Priority 4: Other debts
• Credit cards
• Personal loans
• Payday loans
• Overdrafts
• Family loans
Pay these once priority debts are covered.
Once priorities are covered, allocate remaining budget to debt repayment:
• List all non-priority debts
• Divide your available budget among them
• Start with the highest interest debt first (avalanche method)
• Or start with the smallest balance first (snowball method)
The avalanche method saves the most money. The snowball method provides quick wins.
Free debt advice and solutions:
• 0800 138 1111 (free, Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-4pm)
• stepchange.org
• Debt management plans
• Individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs)
• Debt relief orders (DROs)
• Bankruptcy advice
StepChange is the UK's leading debt charity. They provide free, confidential advice.
Free debt and consumer advice:
• 0800 144 8848 (England), 0800 702 2020 (Wales)
• citizensadvice.org.uk
• Local offices for face-to-face advice
Citizens Advice can advise on debt solutions and consumer rights.
Free debt advice:
• 0808 808 4000 (free, Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9:30am-1pm)
• nationaldebtline.org
National Debtline provides free, confidential advice by phone and web.
Free debt advice:
• 0800 280 2816 (free)
• payplan.com
PayPlan provides free debt advice and solutions.
Free debt advice with Christian ethos:
• 0800 328 0006 (free)
• capuk.org
CAP provides free debt advice and life skills training.
Specialist debt advice:
• moneyadviceplus.org.uk
Provides advice for complex debt situations.
An informal arrangement with creditors:
• One monthly payment to a DMP provider
• Provider distributes to creditors
• Creditors freeze interest and charges (typically)
• Lower monthly payments
DMPs are flexible but don't legally bind creditors.
A formal insolvency solution:
• One monthly payment to an insolvency practitioner
• Distributes to creditors
• Typically 5-6 year term
• Remaining debt written off at end
• Affects credit rating for 6 years
IVAs are formal and legally binding. They affect your credit rating but provide a structured way to repay debt.
A formal insolvency solution for smaller debts:
• Available if you owe under £30,000
• Disposable income under £75/month
• Assets under £2,000
• 12-month moratorium
• Debt written off at end
DROs are for people with smaller debts and limited ability to pay.
A formal insolvency solution for serious debt:
• Available regardless of debt amount
• Assets may be sold to repay creditors
• 12-month discharge
• Debt written off at end
• Affects credit rating for 6 years
Bankruptcy is a last resort but provides a fresh start for people with unmanageable debt.
Combining multiple debts into one:
• Single monthly payment
• Potentially lower interest rate
• Easier to manage
• Risk: extending the debt term
Consolidation loans work if the new interest rate is lower and you don't take on new debt.
If you're struggling to pay, contact your creditors:
• Explain the situation (gambling-related debt)
• Ask for hardship arrangements
• Request interest freeze
• Request payment holiday
Most creditors are willing to work with you if you're honest about the situation.
Many creditors have hardship teams:
• Lower interest rates
• Reduced monthly payments
• Payment holidays (3-6 months)
• Fee waivers
Hardship arrangements are temporary but can provide breathing room.
If informal arrangements don't work:
• Breathing Space (England and Wales): 60-day protection from creditor action
• Moratorium (Scotland): similar protection
• Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space: for people in mental health crisis
These statutory solutions provide temporary protection while you seek longer-term solutions.
Once your debt is cleared:
• Check your credit report (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
• Dispute any errors
• Start rebuilding credit
• Use a credit card for small purchases and pay in full each month
• Consider a credit builder loan
• Register on the electoral roll
• Pay all bills on time
• Keep credit utilisation low
Rebuilding credit takes 12-24 months of consistent behaviour.
Some debt solutions have long-term credit impact:
• IVAs: 6 years on credit report
• Bankruptcy: 6 years on credit report
• DROs: 6 years on credit report
• DMPs: not on credit report but creditors may note it
• Defaults: 6 years on credit report
These impacts are temporary. After 6 years, they fall off your credit report.
• GAMSTOP registration
• Bank gambling blocks
• Gambling block software
• Account closure at gambling operators
• Seek gambling treatment (NHS, GamCare)
• Attend Gamblers Anonymous
• Address co-occurring mental health
• Budgeting app or spreadsheet
• Automatic savings before spending
• Limited access to credit (low credit limits)
• Spouse/family oversight of finances
• New hobbies and activities
• Social support
• Stress management
• Healthy coping strategies
The combination of these prevents relapse into both gambling and debt.
If you have gambling-related debt, free confidential help is available:
• National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (gambling support)
• StepChange: 0800 138 1111 (debt advice)
• National Debtline: 0808 808 4000 (debt advice)
• Citizens Advice: 0800 144 8848 (general advice)
• GamCare: gamcare.org.uk (gambling support)
Don't tackle gambling debt alone. Free help is available.