Support for a gambling problem
Understanding Gambling Harm
A gambling problem can affect anyone who gambles, regardless of their income, background, culture, education, or life circumstances. Factors such as life events, mental health, genetics, environment, or age may increase a person's risk of experiencing gambling-related harm.
Potential signs of a gambling problem
- Spending significant amounts of time gambling.
- Struggling to control gambling or spending.
- Concealing or lying about gambling activity.
- Withdrawing from family, friends, or other social activities.
- Missing work, school, college, or university.
- Loss of interest in hobbies and other activities.
- Experiencing financial, emotional, or relationship difficulties as a result of gambling.
Does gambling only become a problem when money is lost?
No. Gambling-related harm is not determined solely by financial losses. Gambling can affect a person's emotional wellbeing, physical and mental health, relationships, employment, and overall quality of life.
Can occasional gambling still be a problem?
Yes. The frequency of gambling does not determine whether someone is experiencing harm. Even occasional gambling can have significant financial or emotional consequences.
Getting Support
If you are concerned about your own gambling or that of someone you know, support is available.
We encourage customers experiencing gambling-related harm to seek specialist support and advice from recognised organisations.
PayPal Gambling Block
The PayPal Gambling Block is designed to help customers manage gambling and lottery spending by blocking eligible gambling transactions identified through recognised gambling merchant category codes.
How the Gambling Block can help
The Gambling Block can support customers who wish to restrict gambling transactions and take greater control of their gambling spend.
Important information
The Gambling Block only applies to transactions that are identified and processed using gambling-specific merchant category codes (MCCs). Some gambling transactions may not be identifiable if they are processed using alternative merchant coding or payment arrangements.
Customers should not rely on the Gambling Block as their only method of controlling gambling activity and may wish to consider additional safeguards and support services.
Using the PayPal Website
- Go to Account.
- Select Settings.
- Choose Payments.
- Go to Payment controls, under Payment preferences.
- Turn on Gambling Block.
Turning the Gambling Block off
Customers may turn off the Gambling Block at any time.
Once disabled, a three-day cooling-off period applies before gambling transactions can be made again using eligible payment methods. This delay is designed to provide customers with additional time to reconsider their decision.
Additional Support Available from PayPal
Support Needs Portal
If you have support needs that you would like PayPal to consider when managing your account and providing services, you can record these through our Support Needs Portal.
The portal allows customers to disclose support needs and preferences so that PayPal can better support them when interacting with our services.
Support Needs Portal: https://paypal.com/myaccount/regulatoryinfo/support
Benefits of using the Support Needs Portal
Sharing your support needs can help PayPal better understand your circumstances and consider appropriate support when interacting with you. Depending on your circumstances, we may be able to:
- Take your support needs into account when communicating with you.
- Offer additional flexibility and support where appropriate.
- Help you access information in a way that better meets your needs.
- Signpost you to organisations that may be able to provide specialist support.
- Provide information about financial difficulty assistance and debt advice services.
- Signpost customers affected by gambling-related harm to specialist gambling support organisations and resources.
Support with Financial Difficulty
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, PayPal can refer you to PayPlan, an independent debt advice organisation.
PayPlan provides free, confidential guidance and can help customers understand the options available to manage financial difficulties.
PayPlan
Website: https://www.payplan.com/cr/paypal
Offers free, independent debt advice, budgeting support and financial wellbeing guidance to people experiencing financial difficulties.
Independent Gambling and Wellbeing Support Organisations
GamCare
Website: https://www.gamcare.org.uk
Offers practical advice, counselling, treatment services and access to specialist gambling support programmes.
TalkBanStop
Website: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/talk/
A partnership between GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP that combines helpline support, gambling-blocking software and self-exclusion, and also promotes the option to block gambling transactions through your bank.
NHS Gambling Support
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction/
Following GambleAware's closure on 31 March 2026, responsibility for gambling harm prevention, treatment and research funding in Great Britain has transferred to NHS England and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). This page provides information on NHS treatment services and how to self-refer to a specialist gambling clinic.
Gambling Commission
Website: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
The regulator for commercial gambling in Great Britain. Provides information about safer gambling, consumer protections and industry requirements.
MoneyHelper
Website: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk
Provides free government-backed guidance on budgeting, managing money, debt, pensions and financial planning.
Mind
Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
Provides information and support relating to mental health, including guidance for people whose wellbeing has been affected by gambling-related harm.
Further Information
For additional information about options for customers with support needs, please visit the PayPal Help Centre article: How does PayPal help customers who need extra care and support? | PayPal GB
