We accept referrals from anyone who is experiencing harm from gambling aged:

  • 13-18 years old from anywhere in England 
  • 18 or over and live in London and the South East.

(Please note that the age range may be different for other gambling services).

Our Family and Friends service also provides support to those impacted by someone else’s difficulty with gambling such as family, partners, and friends.

There are now several NHS gambling services across England and this service covers mainly London and the South East. Please note that if you live in Essex but you have a London postcode, you will fall under our clinic – please contact us if you need to check which clinic you fall under.

The National Gambling Clinic was the first NHS gambling treatment service to be established in the UK. We have gained an international profile through research, presentations at conferences and the provision of training for gambling related harms services worldwide.

We are part of CNWL NHS Foundation Trust which has extensive experience providing addictions and psychological treatment and care to a wide range of service users.

Our team is made up of psychologists, therapists, nurses and psychiatrists and a peer support worker with lived experience of gambling harm.

We offer a comprehensive treatment programme tailored to individual needs.

We offer flexibility between online (Zoom), telephone or in-person treatment. Please note, currently all group sessions are run over Zoom.

Phase One – preparation for change

One-to-one phase one sessions consist of regular 20-30-minute appointments with a phase one clinician who will provide ongoing support during the initial stages of a client’s journey.

These initial treatment sessions/workshops will particularly focus on boosting motivation for change and putting practical barriers, called ‘Stimulus Controls’, in place to reduce access to gambling. These sessions also provide an opportunity to discuss any issues or difficulties that a client may be facing, for example, finding further support for other mental health problems.

Relapse prevention sessions can be offered as a 3-session course for clients who may have already experienced a period of abstinence from gambling and understand what strategies are so far helping them maintain this.

Phase Two – core treatment

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) may be offered on a 1:1 or group basis as the treatment in phase two for relapse prevention.

Phase Three – further support

Psychodynamic Therapy may be available for clients after completing CBT and makes up phase three of treatment.

Phase Four – post treatment support

Our New LEAF group offers post treatment support for anyone who would benefit from ongoing contact with the service.

Psychiatric Reviews and Naltrexone:

Naltrexone is a drug that can be used alongside treatment to reduce the experience of urges. We can also offer psychiatric reviews at any stage of treatment if needed.

Family and Friends Service:

Family members and friends are welcome and encouraged to refer to the clinic for individual support and psychoeducation about gambling and how it may have impacted them.

To refer as a family or friend, please see the section below on how to make a referral.

Consultation pathway 

We offer a consultation pathway for health professionals when the person presenting with gambling harm is not able to go through our programme without support.

The role of consultation is to provide specialised support to assess presenting difficulties, recommend a tailored client centred plan and assist in the implementation of the strategies needed to help reduce gambling harm.

If you live outside of London, see our related links section for your local service.

If you would like to refer yourself to our main service, you can:

We also accept referrals from a wide range of health and care professionals and organisations as well as family members – if this is you please send us an email.

What happens after submitting the form

If we need to discuss anything with you after receiving your form, we will contact you by phone or email.

We will send you reminders before the assessment, and we will also send you some questionnaires to complete. Please do fill these out, as they will provide your clinician with a better understanding of your gambling and how you’re feeling at that time.

We aim to start treatment very soon after confirming your treatment plan. Your Phase One clinician will reach out to you to introduce themselves and to book your first appointment.

To contact the clinic for more information or to discuss a referral, call on 0207 381 7722 or email gambling.cnwl@nhs.net

Contact us

69 Warwick Road, London
SW5 9HB
Phone: 020 7381 7722
Email: gambling.cnwl@nhs.net