GambleAware has introduced the GambleAware Support Tool, a free and anonymous mobile app aimed at helping individuals, especially young adults, manage their gambling habits before they develop into serious problems.
The app’s launch follows findings from GambleAware’s 2024 Treatment and Support Survey, which revealed that young adults aged 18 to 24 are nearly twice as likely as other gamblers to want to reduce or quit gambling. The survey showed that 29 percent of this age group expressed a desire to cut down or stop gambling, compared to only 15 percent among the broader gambling population.
Alexia Clifford, Chief Communications Officer at GambleAware, explained that the rise of digital platforms has made gambling more accessible, which increases both participation and the risk of harm. She emphasized that these risks have become a growing public health concern and that early intervention is essential to prevent further issues. The app was designed to offer timely support and help users gain insights into their gambling habits as part of their journey to reduce or stop gambling altogether.
A Self-Guided Path to Safer Gambling
Available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, the GambleAware Support Tool offers users the ability to set personal goals, monitor gambling frequency, and track their spending. GambleAware stated that the app is particularly suited for individuals who prefer managing their gambling habits on their own without seeking formal treatment. This reflects findings from the charity’s 2023 Audience Segmentation Report, which revealed that around 93 percent of the estimated 4.5 million adults in Great Britain wishing to reduce or quit gambling prefer to do so independently.
The app also provides access to educational content, including podcasts and articles, and directs users to support services such as the National Gambling Helpline and GambleAware’s service finder. GambleAware described the app as a tool designed to support individuals whether they want to reduce, manage, or stop gambling.
Feedback from users has shown promising results. Nearly half of the app users aged 18 to 24 reported that saving money was their main motivation for reducing gambling, while 27 percent said they aimed to feel happier. This response highlights a growing awareness among young adults of the financial and emotional impact of gambling.
Building on a Data-Driven Approach
The GambleAware Support Tool is grounded in the Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines, a set of recommendations developed through extensive international research involving over 60,000 participants from eight countries. These guidelines offer practical advice for minimizing gambling risks, including recommendations to spend no more than 1 percent of monthly income on gambling, gamble on no more than four days per month, and avoid participating in more than two types of gambling activities.
It is the first app in Great Britain to incorporate the Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines directly, giving users clear, research-backed limits for safer gambling. By combining personal goal setting with evidence-based advice, the app offers practical help for those looking to take control of their gambling behavior in an era of increasing digital access.
