Gambling Debt Financial Help
Ray's story
When Ray first started betting, his gambling was enjoyable and he felt the winning streak would last forever.
But after a few big wins, his luck ran out. He started chasing winners and increasing his bets to cover what he’d lost. He started to lose interest in spending time with his friends and family, and even took days off work so he could gamble more.
When Ray started missing bill payments and incurring fees, there was less money for his family each month. This started to place even more of a strain on Ray’s home life and he felt guilty about the impact his gambling was having.
Realising something had to change, Ray got in touch with a local gambling addiction charity for help. Part of their advice was to find out what tools and support Ray’s bank may be able to offer.
How Barclaycard helped
When he rang us, Ray got through to one of our support team, Alison.
- Alison gave Ray time to explain things in his own words and wasn’t judgemental or demanding, as Ray had feared
- Together they created a repayment plan that Ray could afford, and put a longer term plan in place for when he was in a better place. Alison explained what information she needed for this, as well as how it would affect Ray’s credit score and what could be done to help
- She checked that Ray knew he could access his Barclaycard account online or using the app (and that he could only access his Amazon Barclaycard using the app) to make debit card payments, change payment due dates and, when he could afford to, set up a Direct Debit
Ray knew he had to make the call, but he was worried about the consequences of having to tell Barclaycard about his gambling problem. But after speaking to Alison, he was relieved and felt able to focus on recovering from his addiction.
Does your story sound like Ray's?
When you feel powerless to stop, the financial consequences of an addiction can be devastating. You don't have to handle this alone. Get in touch with us as soon as you can and let us know what's going on.
You're not alone - we're here to help
We know your debts aren't going to disappear on their own, but we really can help. If you get in touch, we'll ask you about your income and outgoings so you can feel confident you're only repaying what you can really afford. And your priority payments – Council Tax, rent/mortgage repayments and household bills – will always come first.
It's probably the last thing you want to do, but giving us a call won’t make anything worse. We won't spring any surprises on you; our advisers are here to listen, understand and agree a solution with you – not demand payments you can’t afford.
You can rest assured, we’ll ask your permission before we do anything and check how you feel about your other finances.
We'll try to provide you with help that’s clear, practical and easy to understand. Also, we'll advise you where to find free and independent help.
Get in touch to find out how we can help
Talk to us on the phone
As soon as you think you might be facing financial difficulties, give us a call. It could make things much easier.
Before you pick up the phone, it’s a good idea to jot down some notes about your income and spending. And set some time aside – we’ll want to understand your situation in detail, so you might be talking for a while.
Worried you’ll miss a payment?
Missed a payment and want to catch up?
If you’ve missed a payment on your card, you might be able to pay it using the Barclaycard app.
Alternatively, you can call us:
Calls to 0800 numbers are free from UK landlines. Mobile charges may vary. Find out more about call charges.
You can also:
Use the Barclaycard app
Send us a message from the 'Help' section of the Barclaycard app. It's secure and You don’t have to wait for our reply, just log back in when you’re ready to see if we've replied.
You need to be 18 or over to use the app. T&Cs apply.
Other ways you can get help
If you're struggling with a few different debts or money worries in general, there are organisations that may be able to help:
GamCare is the leading national provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling.
StepChange is the UK's largest provider of genuinely free independent debt advice and managed solutions, helping almost 600,000 people a year resolve problems, repay debts and rebuild lives.
The National Debtline offers free independent support for advice on how to deal with your debts, including live online webchat with a National Debtline advisor.
MoneyHelper provides a range of free and impartial money advice over the phone and online, including tools and calculators to help you manage your finances.
Are you struggling with addiction?
An estimated 2 million people in the UK have an addiction – you're not alone.
Get help at NHS LiveWell or call: 111
The line is free and always open.
Feel like there's no-one to turn to?
You can talk to The Samaritans anytime you like, in your own way, and off the record.
To protect the privacy of our customers, we have used photographs of actors and fictitious names, but they are based on real situations.
How close are you to a Debt Problem?
If you're worried that you need help with your finances then you can try StepChange Debt Charity's 60-second debt test. By answering a few simple questions they'll be able to tell you if you need debt advice.
