Gambling Survey for Great Britain GSGB

As much as you may want to, and as hard as it is seeing the effects, you cannot make someone stop gambling. However, you can encourage them to seek help, support them in their efforts, and protect yourself. Distract yourself with another activity, such as going to the gym, watching a movie, or practicing a relaxation exercise for gambling cravings.

While UK-licensed operators must follow strict UKGC rules to keep players safe, bettors also have a responsibility to manage their own behaviour and spending. There’s a dedicated poker promotions page, stuffed full of offers, such as a loyalty scheme, while it’s also where players can find all the details on the various poker competitions run by Grosvenor featuring cash prizes. They stand out from other slot sites for a variety of reasons, starting with the sign up offer, which includes 200 no wagering free spins. There are tons of advertisements for gambling addiction services and operators must have some sort of link or advert on getting help with gambling addiction on their sites as part of their licensing agreement.

The platform also offers numerous live dealer games for an immersive and interactive experience. Looking ahead to 2026, the UK’s online gambling industry is set for continued growth. Continuous innovations and a focus on user experience promise even more exciting opportunities for players.

Providing Reasonable Adjustments — for mental health employers

You can find more information on our Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 page. We relied on Twitter and stakeholder consultations to build an understanding of stakeholder perspectives. It’s possible that Twitter users are not representative of the general population. It is also possible that people discussing gambling on Twitter and those who responded to the stakeholder consultation have a firmer opinion of gambling or have been affected by it in some way.

It has one of the top welcome bonuses on the market, giving users a choice between either a £40 bonus bingo or 200 free spins on its slot games once customers have staked £10 online. Our reviews of established online gambling platforms and new casino sites are based on a wide-ranging set of criteria, with operators having to hit all the points on our checklist. There was one low quality qualitative study that looked at gaming in people aged 11 to 24 years old. The young people felt gambling-like activities in gaming (such as loot boxes and skin betting) were addictive. They also said that games were designed to make it difficult to enjoy without buying loot boxes, and they thought that gambling-like activity in gaming was normal.

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• According to the Gambling Act 2005, gambling is defined as “betting, gaming or participating in a lottery.” The UKGC has broken down gaming into multiple sectors in order to expedite their licensing procedures.
• Debit cards, such as MasterCard and Visa, are the most common and widely accepted deposit methods.
• Overall participation in online gambling for at-risk gamblers (23.4%) was more than double that of the general population (9.4%) in 2018.
• These promotions add extra value to the gaming experience, encouraging players to engage more with the app.
• Some research actually shows that internet gamblers may spend more money, engage in a wider variety of games, gamble more frequently, and play for longer periods of time than in-person gamblers.
• You’ll gamble whether you’re up or down, broke or flush, and you’ll keep gambling regardless of the consequences—even when you know that the odds are against you or you can’t afford to lose.
• Without effective protections, gambling may undermine progress toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly 3, 10 and 16.
• There may also be a relationship between these other harmful activities and gambling.
• Traditionally, gambling is an activity where someone risks money or belongings.
• BetVictor, for example, offers responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusions to help players manage their gaming.
• Online casinos have made significant improvements in areas like generous welcome bonuses, mobile accessibility, and user-friendly interfaces.
• Through data collection, the Commission will also explore the exact financial thresholds the assessments would be conducted at.
• Alternately, remove gambling apps and block gambling sites on your phone and computer.

If you aren’t able to resist the gambling craving, don’t be too hard on yourself or use it as an excuse to give up. You may slip from time to time; the important thing is to learn from your mistakes and continue working towards recovery. Of course, you can also have a gambling problem without being totally out of control.

Signs of gambling harms

Its heyday was in the Industrial Revolution era and came through horse race betting and small-time games played in local pubs. The government seemed to tolerate betting amongst the upper echelon of citizens while enforcing the lower class. The FCA’s main focus is creating a fair play environment within the UK financial markets.

Gambling in the UK

• Other electronic wallet options include Apple Pay, Google Pay, Skrill, and Neteller, each offering their own advantages in terms of convenience and security.
• As with all mental health problems, there is not one clear cause of gambling disorder.
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• Existing customers are also well-catered for, with five bonus spins and 10% cashback available during the weekends.
• The Act also mandated that operators must pay 15% of their profits obtained from UK customers back as part of their licensing agreement.
• The legacy of gambling harm can endure throughout one’s life and transmit intergenerationally.
• Sponsorship or other association with popular sporting leagues, and the colocation of gambling products in social settings, are key mechanisms.
• This combination of no deposit bonuses and additional spins ensures players have multiple opportunities to win without significant initial investment.
• The data presented from the GSGB is not directly comparable to previous gambling survey publications due to changes in the methodology.
• Setting budgets and tracking spending are key practices in responsible UK gambling.
• We prefer sites that offer 24/7 service across multiple communication channels, ensuring that players can get help whenever they need it.
• Our goal is to guide you through the myriad of online casino UK options tailored specifically for UK players, emphasizing the unique features and advantages each one offers.
• No matter how you’re feeling, our service finder can help you get the right support for your gambling, or if you’re affected by someone else’s gambling.
• Approximately one fifth of respondents (21 percent) only took part in lottery draws (either National Lottery or other charity lottery draws) in the past 4 weeks.

Many others have been in your shoes and have been able to break the habit and rebuild their lives. Many older gamblers are reluctant to reach out to their adult children if they’ve gambled away their inheritance, but it’s never too late to make changes for the better. Gambling addiction—also known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling or gambling disorder—is an impulse-control disorder. If you’re a compulsive gambler, you can’t control the impulse to gamble, even when it has negative consequences for you or your loved ones. You’ll gamble whether you’re up or down, broke or flush, and you’ll keep gambling regardless of the consequences—even when you know that the odds are against you or you can’t afford to lose. Mobile technology has enabled ‘low friction’ gambling to happen easily and conveniently at any time meaning that ‘binge’ behaviour can now happen at any time.

Services and information

Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 – The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 was passed to curtail licensing loopholes being taken advantage of by offshore operators. Before this act, remote operators were only required to obtain an English licence if they had at least one piece of remote gambling equipment located within UK borders. Any remote gambling operators that kept all their equipment, facilities, etc. offshore were exempt from applying for a licence. One of the most important aspects of the legislation is that it clarified certain definitions to keep up with modern technology. The effects of this helped keep casinos and other gambling operators in check with new technologies.

Top Online Gambling Sites Open To UK Players In 2026

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• A new stake limit for online slots will be introduced with the default maximum stake of between £2 and £15 per spin, subject to consultation.
• Players experiencing gambling-related issues should seek help from charities and healthcare providers for guidance and support.
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• Corporate political activity is widespread and effective in protecting the interests of these businesses.
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• The NHS Gambling Services can be accessed by anyone experiencing harm from gambling through self-referral, or referral by a health and care professional.
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• Residents can access multiple domestic and offshore entities for casino gambling, poker and sports betting.
• At the same time, you might be furious at your loved one for gambling again and tired of trying to keep up the charade.

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Consequently, several data points have been revised, typically by between +/-0.1 percent and +/-1 percent. Participation in National Lottery draws significantly increased by 3 percentage points from the end of 2024, from 29 percent to 32 percent in Wave 1, 2025. Although this represents a significant change compared to the previous wave, the data for the same period in 2024 (January to April) remains consistent with findings from this publication. This begins to highlight both the wave-on-wave differences and the consistent seasonal patterns in gambling participation throughout the year.

Best Online Casinos in the UK for 2026

Having a gambling problem is just a case of being weak-willed, irresponsible, or unintelligent. Explore the warning signs and symptoms of compulsive gambling and learn how to stop. Gambling happens when you play any game of chance or skill, in which you stake something valuable that has potential for a prize win. Understanding how gambling works will help protect you from the risks of gambling. If you think you shouldn’t have been allowed to gamble you can complain to the Gambling Commission. They can take action against a gambling company if they think the company hasn’t followed the rules.

What are the causes of gambling disorder?

User experience is a critical factor in the success of online casinos UK, with performance evaluated across desktop, iOS, and Android platforms. Accessibility, efficiency, and performance are key elements that determine the overall user experience, ensuring that players can enjoy their favorite games seamlessly on any device. GamStop is a valuable tool that allows players to self-exclude from all UK-licensed online casinos, providing an effective safeguard against gambling addiction. The responsible gaming sections on casino websites offer guidance and resources to help players make informed decisions and maintain a healthy relationship with gambling. Promoting responsible gambling practices, UK online casinos create a safe and enjoyable environment for all players.

This review has estimated that 0.5% of the adult population has a problem with gambling, 3.8% are gambling at at-risk levels, and 7% are affected negatively by an others people’s gambling. We identified 45 possible risk factors within these 39 reviews, and three-quarters of these (33 factors) were individual (personal) level risk factors. The remaining related to families or other social influences (5 factors), community-level influences (4 factors) and societal influences (3 factors). The proportion reporting any gambling in the last 12 months was 36% in 2019, down slightly from 39% in 2018. Based on 2018 HSE data, we estimated that 0.5% of the population reached the threshold to be considered experiencing problem gambling, and this proportion has remained relatively consistent since 2012. We also estimated that 3.8% of the population are classified as gambling at elevated risks, differentiated into low risk and moderate risk gambling.

Continent 8 Technologies extends partnership with Nutanix to accelerate cloud innovation for global iGaming industry

Given the correct powers and resources, the Gambling Commission can continue to make gambling safer, fairer and crime free. This White Paper is a coherent package of proposals which we believe can significantly support and protect consumers, and improve overall standards in the industry. Everyone has the freedom to enjoy a flutter on the horses or football through their phones, anytime, anywhere — and most people do so without any issues. The maximum deposit amount at Spinzwin Casino for pay by phone is £40, making it suitable for budget-conscious players. However, players should be aware of the 15% processing fee for pay by phone deposits.

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Overall prevalence of gambling

But for some people the availability of 24/7 online betting has compounded or created problem gambling, which can lead to life-changing financial loss and in the most tragic cases suicide. People at risk of gambling-related harm will be better protected under government plans to update betting rules for the digital age. Gambling harm increases as gambling markets expand, challenging the health and well-being of populations. Unlicensed, illegal or offshore gambling poses significant regulatory challenges for all governments.

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These enhancements have created a superior experience that continues to draw more players. Online gambling sites UK has come a long way since its inception in the 1990s. This era marked the beginning of a burgeoning industry that has only continued to grow and evolve over the years. The introduction of the Gambling Act 2005 was a pivotal moment, providing a regulatory framework that ensured safety and fairness for players and helped advance the industry.

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Gambling-related harms evidence review: summary

• Responsible gambling is a cornerstone of the UK online casino industry, with the UK Gambling Commission actively working to protect players from gambling-related harm.
• It will also change the good practice code to say licensees should have procedures that require their staff to check the age of any customer who appears to be under 25 years of age, rather than under 21 years of age.
• The research sector has also been influenced by industry using funding and other support.
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• Avoid gambling in front of your child or saying things that might encourage making reckless bets.
• However, the Commission’s approach will typically depend on the nature of the product offering.
• Compared with children who have not gambled, those who have spent their own money on gambling are more likely to have consumed alcohol, taken drugs, or smoked either a tobacco cigarette or an e-cigarette.
• Choosing UK-licensed online casinos ensures player safety and regulatory compliance.
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• Free-to-play casino games with prizes are regulated as gaming and require a licence.
• You can find more information on our Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 page.
• Distract yourself with another activity, such as going to the gym, watching a movie, or practicing a relaxation exercise for gambling cravings.
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In late 2022, we re-examined this analysis and published an updated report in early 2023. You can find the full technical reports on the gambling-related harms evidence review main page. Schedule enjoyable recreational time for yourself that has nothing to do with gambling. If you’re gambling on your smartphone, find other ways to fill the quiet moments during your day. Depression, stress, substance abuse, or anxiety can both trigger gambling problems and be made worse by compulsive gambling. If you have bipolar disorder, manic phases might lead you to risky behavior, such as making big bets.

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• Some research actually shows that internet gamblers may spend more money, engage in a wider variety of games, gamble more frequently, and play for longer periods of time than in-person gamblers.
• They can take action against a gambling company if they think the company hasn’t followed the rules.
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• We identified 53 studies describing a range of harms that had resulted from gambling.
• Overall participation in online gambling for at-risk gamblers (23.4%) was more than double that of the general population (9.4%) in 2018.
• You’ll gamble whether you’re up or down, broke or flush, and you’ll keep gambling regardless of the consequences—even when you know that the odds are against you or you can’t afford to lose.
• Without effective protections, gambling may undermine progress toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly 3, 10 and 16.
• The levy will be collected by the Gambling Commission and spending will be approved by the government.
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• There may also be a relationship between these other harmful activities and gambling.
• Our spend calculator only takes a few minutes and will give you a better understanding of the time and money you spend gambling, alongside recommendations to reduce your risk.
• Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs.
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What we learned from Spectrum Gaming’s Evolution report

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How to Choose the Right UK Online Casino

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Although you can monitor them, it might be difficult, and perhaps even counterproductive, to try to completely control a teenager’s activities. However, you can limit the amount of screen time and social media access a younger child has or use parental controls to steer them away from gambling sites. Take any talk of suicide seriously, as studies show that people with gambling addiction are more likely to attempt suicide. A study from 2020 found that the risk of suicide is even higher when the person is struggling with an additional disorder, such as substance use. Think about how your life might improve if you were free from your gambling problem. And while gambling can trigger feelings of excitement and euphoria, it’s important to remember that all forms of gambling are inherently risky.

Responsible Gambling Practices

Although HSE is a good data source, not all topics relevant to gambling are included and we had to rely on other sources of published data to fill gaps. Stakeholder views were consistent about the hidden nature of gambling-related harms, in that many harms are not apparent to others. According to 2020 YouGov data on gambling treatment and support (PDF, 1.4MB), around 7% of the population of Great Britain (adults and children) were found to be negatively affected by someone else’s gambling. The North West (4.4%) and North East (4.9%) had the highest prevalence of people gambling at levels of elevated risk, while the South West (3.0%) had the lowest prevalence. Due to small numbers, it was not possible to determine the levels of problem gambling for each region in England with any statistical significance. We used a mixed methods approach for this review, including quantitative, qualitative and rapid review methodologies.

‘Dodgy business’: UK market tenses as industry loses favour

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According to a UK survey in 2024, about a quarter of 11- to 17-year-olds had spent money on gambling within the past 12 months. Treatment for underlying conditions contributing to your compulsive gambling, including substance abuse or mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, OCD, or ADHD. Problem gambling can sometimes be a symptom of bipolar disorder, so your doctor or therapist may need to rule this out before making a diagnosis. We offer free advice, tools and support to help keep people safe from gambling harms. Bonus offers, such as free bets or spins, can drive harmful behaviour and trigger people to spend more than they intended.

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UK online casinos promote responsible gambling by employing measures like age verification, self-exclusion options, and setting deposit and loss limits. These tools, including GamStop, help create a safe and controlled gambling environment for players. This diverse offering ensures a thrilling and engaging gaming experience for slot enthusiasts.

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These features make the games more engaging and offer players multiple ways to win. UK online casinos must implement SSL encryption and secure server systems to ensure the safety of user data. Additionally, independent RNG (Random Number Generator) audits are conducted to maintain the integrity of the games, ensuring that the outcomes are truly random and fair.

They work to vet spread betting brokers for proper and legitimate business ethics. A broker that is vouched for by the FCA carries more weight than one lacking any sort of support. The GA 2005 was written to reform the prior legislation that divvied out regulatory responsibilities to several different governmental bodies. British gambling laws, or “law” in this case, echo the standard set by multiple other countries in that there is one presiding statute. To address gaps in this evidence base PHE undertook a Delphi study on policies and interventions to reduce harmful gambling, which has been published in the Lancet.

The British regulator continues its series of enforcement actions against its licensees, as described above, including follow-ups from previous enforcement actions. The usual pattern of regulatory enforcement is for the regulator to instigate a review of the operating licence in question, with the consequences described above. To date, the typical outcome has been the imposition of a financial penalty or a substantial financial settlement that the operator has negotiated with the regulator in lieu of a formal statutory penalty. The regulator also makes use of the system of personal management licences to act against individuals and there have been licence suspensions in cases where the regulator considered the operator to be substantially non-compliant. As in many jurisdictions, the main monopoly incumbent is the National Lottery, which has a monopoly on commercial lottery activity. On 1 February 2024, the Gambling Commission granted Allwyn Entertainment Ltd a 10-year licence to operate the National Lottery, replacing the previous licensee Camelot.

If you don’t have enough money to live on, check if you can get help to pay for living costs. Some of the information and advice in this section is based on information and advice developed by West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic. ‘Problem gambling’ or ‘problematic gambling’ is defined as gambling that is disruptive or damaging to an individual or their family, or interferes with an individual’s daily life.

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If gambling ceases to be enjoyable, it’s crucial for players to stop immediately and seek help if needed. Responsible gambling is a cornerstone of the UK online casino industry, with the UK Gambling Commission actively working to protect players from gambling-related harm. Licensed casinos are required to implement measures such as age verification and self-exclusion options to ensure player safety.

There are guidelines for rules that all lotteries must follow, regardless of their scale. Our National Lottery Act page has more information on how the legal lottery system works in Great Britain. Our team of legal gambling analysts developed this page as a hub for legitimate and up-to-date information regarding the legal framework of gambling in the United Kingdom. You will find coverage on the multiple laws and their effect on the market, the regulatory agencies working behind the scenes, a history of legal gambling in the UK, specifically England. Apply to the Gambling Commission for a personal gambling licence or a gambling operating licence if you run or manage a gambling business. Gambling-related harms have considerable cost to the government and society, likely to be between £1.05 to 1.77 billion.

Financial harms

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• Understanding how gambling works will help protect you from the risks of gambling.
• The online gambling participation rate (in the past 4 weeks) was 38 percent, which falls to 16 percent when lottery draw only players are removed.
• To date, the typical outcome has been the imposition of a financial penalty or a substantial financial settlement that the operator has negotiated with the regulator in lieu of a formal statutory penalty.
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• The link between gambling and suicide and self-harm was supported by qualitative studies.
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No one under the age of 18 is allowed to place a bet with a licenced operator. Betting – Betting in the UK comes in the forms of fixed odds betting, pool betting, acting as a betting intermediary and spread betting. Each sector can be broken down into terms of what each represents, the brick-and-mortar options therein, legal gambling ages, etc. Generally, the minimum gambling age in England is 18, however, the minimum age to purchase a National Lottery ticket is sixteen. To enter and gamble at a casino or horse racetrack participants must be at least eighteen. It is also possible for smaller lotteries to be held without a licence, but these still require registration with the local authority in place.

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• You may gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar, and then move on to money you don’t have—money to pay bills, credit cards, or things for your children.
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• Further changes include requiring operators to display to consumers in real time their net spend and time they have spent gambling.
• A further 2 studies conducted in Europe using data on online gambling participation found reductions in online betting between March and April 2020.
• As the detailed implementation of the review now begins, we will also be reiterating to all operators that the Commission will strongly maintain its focus on consumer protection and compliance.
• It is anticipated that the Voluntary Code, which aims to improve transparency, accountability and consumer protection, will be published by the end of 2025.
• Therapy can provide you with the tools for coping with your addiction that will last a lifetime.
• It is also possible that people discussing gambling on Twitter and those who responded to the stakeholder consultation have a firmer opinion of gambling or have been affected by it in some way.
• Gambling was linked to loss of concentration on work activities, showing up late, not turning up for work or turning up after no sleep.
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Too much time spent on gambling can also lead to relationship and legal problems, job loss, mental health problems including depression and anxiety, and even suicide. The research found that gambling behaviour can vary between a “cold state” where choices and play are considered and is based on previous experience to a “hot state” where behaviour and play can fluctuate. It is in this hot state, that people can sometimes experience an out of the ordinary “gambling binge”.

They are not about checking up on people having a flutter on the football or placing the odd bet on horse racing. Get help, advice and information on how to use tools that manage your gambling activity. Multisectoral action to reduce gambling harm is required to reduce the potential for gambling naked casino to impede progress on SDGs. WHO acknowledges the need for Member States to closely monitor and effectively regulate gambling operations, products and activities.

Prevalence of gambling and harms

Overall participation in any gambling activity (in the past 4 weeks) was 48 percent. Despite a significant increase from the previous wave (46 percent), this figure is consistent with participation levels we saw for the same period in 2024. The data being released today is the latest edition of the Gambling Commission’s Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) conducted by the National Centre for Social Research. A nationally representative sample of 4,932 adults aged 18 and over were surveyed during the period 13 January 2025 to 27 April 2025.

Live dealer versions of blackjack replicate the experience of a physical casino with real dealers. PartyPoker is known for its strong loyalty rewards and significant welcome bonus, attracting new players looking to build their bankrolls with its generous rewards program. The GSGB, like most other surveys, collects information from a sample of the population. Statistics based on surveys are estimates, rather than precise figures, and are subject to a margin of error (a 95 percent confidence interval).

This suggests that gambling may trigger suicidal events in some people already prone to suicidal ideation. The link between gambling and suicide and self-harm was supported by qualitative studies. One study reported that people engaging in moderate-risk or problem gambling experienced lower levels of family functioning and social support compared to people engaging in low-risk gambling or non-gamblers. Another study identified associations between gambling problems and intimate partner violence, but found that it may be influenced by other factors and not necessarily caused by the gambling. The white paper will support the ‘land-based’ gambling sector including casinos, arcades and bingo halls, while maintaining safeguards to protect vulnerable groups. Bingo halls, seaside arcades and casinos create employment, generate tourism and provide entertainment.

There are many reasons why someone might not get help for their gambling disorder. Medication for gambling disorder is typically started by a specialist, such as a consultant psychiatrist working in an NHS Gambling Treatment Service. GPs do not usually initiate naltrexone, but they may be able to take over monitoring and prescribing after the initial titration has been undertaken by the specialist and a safe and effective dose has been established. We publish information to help people understand more about mental health and mental illness, and the kind of care they are entitled to.