# Gambling and money: protect your finances and get free help > Everyday money · Published 25 September 2026 · Last updated 25 September 2026 Canonical HTML: https://moneyguide.org.uk/gambling-and-money/ Markdown mirror: https://moneyguide.org.uk/gambling-and-money/guide.md ## Quick answer Gambling becomes a money problem when it uses money meant for bills, savings or debt repayments, or when you borrow to gamble — and free, confidential help is available on the National Gambling Helpline, 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day. Gambling becomes a money problem when it uses money meant for bills, savings or debt repayments, or when you borrow to gamble — and free, confidential help is available on the National Gambling Helpline, 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day. This section explains how to block gambling, deal with gambling debt, how charity lotteries work and whether winnings are taxed. ## Key facts - The National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, is free on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day. In England you can also refer yourself to an NHS gambling clinic. - Online slots stakes are capped at £5 a spin for adults aged 25 and over and £2 for 18 to 24-year-olds. - Gambling businesses in Great Britain can't take credit card payments for gambling. - GAMSTOP blocks online gambling firms licensed in Great Britain for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years, and a bank gambling block stops card payments to gambling firms. - Betting, lottery and Premium Bond winnings aren't taxed in the UK. - At least 20% of a society lottery's proceeds must go to the good cause in Great Britain, and buying a ticket isn't a donation — Gift Aid can't be claimed on it. ## How do I know gambling is affecting my money? Warning signs include using money meant for rent, bills or food, borrowing or using overdrafts to gamble, chasing losses and hiding spending from people you live with. [Gambling and your money](/gambling-and-money/gambling-and-your-money/) explains practical steps, such as paying essentials on payday and keeping any gambling money separate. ## How can I block gambling? Use more than one block at once: your bank's gambling block, GAMSTOP for online gambling firms licensed in Great Britain, the self-exclusion schemes for betting shops, casinos, bingo halls and arcades, and free blocking software. They are all free — see [how to block gambling](/gambling-and-money/gambling-blocks-and-self-exclusion/). ## What if I have gambling debts? Gambling debts can usually be dealt with like any other debt. Get free, confidential advice first, pay priority debts such as rent, mortgage, council tax and energy before others, and ask an adviser about Breathing Space in England and Wales. Read [gambling debt: where to get free help](/gambling-and-money/gambling-debt-help/) and our [debt help](/debt-help/) section. ## Is a charity lottery ticket a donation? No — it's a bet. In Great Britain at least 20% of a society lottery's proceeds must go to the good cause, and HMRC doesn't allow Gift Aid on tickets, so giving the same money directly usually means more reaches the cause. Some charities choose not to run a lottery at all — [World Aid Network explains why it doesn't](https://worldaidnetwork.org/charity-lottery). See [charity lotteries and raffles](/gambling-and-money/charity-lotteries-and-raffles/). ## Are gambling winnings taxed? No. Betting and lottery winnings and Premium Bond prizes aren't subject to Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax. Tax can arise later on interest the money earns, and a large gift of winnings can count for Inheritance Tax — see [are gambling winnings taxed?](/gambling-and-money/are-gambling-winnings-taxed-uk/). ## Where do these rules apply? The Gambling Commission's rules, GAMSTOP and the online slots stake limits cover Great Britain. Northern Ireland has separate, older gambling law, and its lottery rules differ — each guide says where that matters. ## Frequently asked questions ### Where can I get free help with gambling? Call the National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, free on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day. In England you can refer yourself to an NHS gambling clinic. For debts, free advice is available from StepChange, National Debtline, Citizens Advice and, in Northern Ireland, Advice NI. ### Can my bank stop me gambling? Many banks let you switch on a gambling block for your card, and some make you wait before you can switch it off again. It works best alongside GAMSTOP and the self-exclusion schemes for betting shops and venues. ### Does gambling affect my credit score? Gambling isn't recorded on your credit report, but lenders may see gambling spending on bank statements when you apply for credit or a mortgage. Borrowing to gamble can lead to missed payments, which do affect your credit file. ### Do I pay tax on gambling winnings? No. Winnings from betting and lotteries, and Premium Bond prizes, aren't taxed in the UK. You may pay tax on interest the money earns once it's in savings. ## Related guides - [/debt-help/](https://moneyguide.org.uk/debt-help/) - [/budgeting/](https://moneyguide.org.uk/budgeting/) - [/savings/](https://moneyguide.org.uk/savings/) --- Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.