Gambling Support

Do you feel worried or affected by your own gambling or the gambling of a loved one? There is help and support available.

What is gambling?

The Gambling Act (2005) defines gambling as betting, gaming, or participating in a lottery. This can include but is not limited to arcades, betting online, at an event or high street bookmakers, bingo, casino, lotteries, and gaming machines.

Gambling can lead to problems for some individuals and their families, and can affect many areas of your life. If you are unsure whether you are gambling safely – try this self-assessment tool from GamCare.

“When you first suggested there was a reason for my gambling, I thought that was a mad idea. Now I’ve learnt there was a reason – I gambled to escape feeling sad and afraid. The choice was gambling or suicide. Now I’ve learned how to face my feelings I don’t need to escape. Thank you. GamCare has saved my life.

Gambling Support

Are you struggling with a gambling addiction and looking for some expert help or know of a family/friend who is struggling?

Whether you’re seeking support in Derbyshire or the UK in general, There are various Gambling Support services around online and locally.

How can Gambling Effect you Financially?

We’re committed to responsible lending and supporting our members’ financial wellbeing. If you’re concerned about how gambling may impact your finances, here’s what you need to know about its effect on your credit score and loan applications.

Gambling & Your Credit Score

While gambling itself doesn’t directly affect your credit score, the way you fund it can. Here’s how:

  • Frequent gambling transactions – If lenders see regular gambling deposits on your bank statements, they may view this as a sign of financial instability.
  • Increased borrowing – Using overdrafts, credit cards, or loans to gamble can increase your debt, which may lower your credit score.
  • Missed payments – If gambling leads to financial strain and missed repayments on credit cards or loans, this will negatively impact your credit rating.

Gambling & Credit Union Loan Applications

As a responsible lender, we assess loan applications carefully to ensure borrowing is affordable for you. Here’s how gambling activity might affect your application:

  • Affordability checks – We review bank statements to ensure you can comfortably afford repayments. High gambling expenditure may indicate financial risk.
  • Responsible lending – If gambling has led to missed payments or financial difficulties, this could impact your ability to borrow.
  • Support over debt – If you’re struggling with gambling-related financial issues, we encourage you to seek help (above) before taking on more credit.
Gambling Risk