Breathe. This is fixable.
You are not ruined forever.
Call or text us any time, day or night.
A real person who's been there will pick up.
- 1.
Stop the bleeding first
Block gambling sites and apps, sign up for self-exclusion in your state, and hand card access to someone you trust for a while. Fewer ways to bet means fewer losses to repay.
- 2.
Write it all down, once
List every debt: who, how much, interest rate, minimum payment. It's scary, and it's usually less scary on paper than in your head.
- 3.
Call before they call you
Many creditors will lower payments or pause interest if you ask early. Tell them you're in a hardship program. You don't owe them your whole story.
- 4.
Get a nonprofit counselor
Look for an NFCC-member credit counselor. They can set up a debt management plan, often at little or no cost. Steer clear of 'debt settlement' companies that charge big fees upfront.
- 5.
Protect the essentials
Pay housing, utilities, food and transportation first. Unsecured debt can wait while you get stable.
- 6.
Bring it to a meeting
Gam-Anon and GA have 'pressure relief' groups built for exactly this. You don't have to face the numbers alone.
Our debt relief partner
Simple Debt Solutions
If the numbers feel too heavy to sort out alone, Simple Debt Solutions can review your situation and walk you through debt relief options.
Disclosure: this is a referral link to Simple Debt Solutions, an outside company. GA or GO may be credited for referrals. You'll leave our site and go to simpledebtsolutions.com.
Debt basics, in plain words
A short walk-through of where to start when the numbers feel too big.
Read: "You Are Not Ruined Forever"Common questions
Can gambling debt be settled or discharged?
Often, yes. Most gambling debt is ordinary unsecured debt, like credit cards or personal loans. Creditors may agree to lower payments, pause interest or settle for less, and a nonprofit credit counselor can help you ask. Bankruptcy can discharge many debts, but cash advances taken shortly before filing can be challenged, so talk to a licensed bankruptcy attorney before you decide. Rules vary by state, and this is not legal advice.
What should I do in the first 24 hours after a relapse?
Tell one person the truth: a sponsor, someone from your group, or us by call or text. Get to a meeting today, online if that's easiest. Block the sites and apps again and hand off your cards for now. Write down what you lost once, then stop checking it. A relapse doesn't erase your recovery. It shows you where the plan needs more support.
Last reviewed September 2026.
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