ABC Vac Sweep is an independent information portal about household money, debt help and support after gambling harm. We write guides that help people in the UK understand what has happened, what their options are, and where practical help can start. If you or someone close to you has been affected by gambling, this site is here to make the path clearer.
What this site covers
We guide readers through the territory that opens up after gambling has caused harm — the financial side, the emotional side, and the practical steps forward. That means understanding how debt works when it builds quickly, what tools exist to control gambling or stop it altogether, what support is real and where to find it, and how to talk to someone close about what is happening.
We also cover the wider picture: breathing space from creditors, debt management plans and other routes that exist when money has run tight. The guide sits between crisis and recovery — meeting people where they are and showing what comes next.
Who reads this site
Our readers are people who have been harmed by gambling — their own or someone else's. Some are in crisis; others are rebuilding after it has passed. Some are looking for ways to help a family member or friend; others are checking whether what they are feeling is normal or whether they need to act. All of them need straight answers, not jargon, and not the feeling that they are being judged.
This is also a space for people who want to understand gambling harm better — what it looks like, how it deepens, what the warning signs are, and what recovery involves.
How guides are made
We build each guide from questions people actually ask. We check the answers against public sources — government resources, charity guidance, regulatory information and research. We write in plain language, avoiding jargon or explaining it when it cannot be sidestepped. When rules change or new information comes to light, we update the guides.
Every guide is written to be useful the first time a reader finds it. We know that someone in crisis does not have time to read between the lines.
What we do not do
This site publishes information and guidance, not personal advice. We cannot advise you on your own situation, make decisions for you, or replace a conversation with a professional adviser or counsellor. We also do not sell goods or services, take payment for rankings, or promote any organisation above another because they have paid us to do so.
Get in touch
Questions about the site, corrections to a guide, or ideas for topics we should cover all reach us at [email protected]. We aim to reply within 48 hours. You can also use that address if something on the site has not worked as it should.
Getting help today
If you need support now, these organisations are available:
- GamCare — https://www.gamcare.org.uk; National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7)
- BeGambleAware — https://www.begambleaware.org
- Gordon Moody — https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk (residential and online treatment)
This site is for people aged 18 and over.
Disclaimer: This is an information site. We do not sell any goods or services. For information about your own situation, speak to a qualified adviser, counsellor or support organisation.