GambleAware, a leading independent charity focused on preventing and reducing gambling-related harm, have revealed their new support tool app that offers free, anonymous evidence-based advice and support to help people quit or cut down their gambling.
In addition, they have revealed the findings of their 2024 study into young people’s gambling habits, which includes a reduction in betting from the 18-24 age group among other key discoveries.
The data, which came from the 2024 Treatment and Support Survey released by GambleAware, showed that 18-24 year olds who gamble are twice as likely to want to reduce or quit gambling compared to the average among all people who gamble (29% compared to 15%).
Secondly, following the launch of the app, 48% of users aged 18-24 have indicated their motivation to change their gambling habits is to ‘save money’, while 27% say they want to ‘feel happier.’
And lastly, there are up to 4.5 million people in Great Britain wanting to reduce or quit gambling, 93% of whom – over 4.2 million people – want to do so without using a treatment service. GambleAware are hoping to offer informal ‘self-help’ support thatn can help people achieve their goals of reducing betting.
Alexia Clifford, Chief Communications Officer for GambleAware, said, “Whether individuals want to reduce, manage or stay gamble-free, the GambleAware Support Tool is here every step of your journey.
“The digital age means we essentially have a casino in our pocket, and we know increased accessibility leads to increased participation and therefore increased risk of harm.
“These harms are a growing public health issue, but early intervention is key, and the GambleAware Support Tool app is designed to give people a timely insight into their gambling, with the aim of supporting their journey to reducing or quitting their activity.”
Futhermore, Catherine Adams, a member of the GambleAware Lived Experience Council, said: “I would be gambling on the computer from six in the evening until six in the morning and I just was not sleeping.
“It’s positive being able to monitor your progress yourself and to see how well you’re doing in reducing or quitting your gambling if you’re goal orientated. To see ‘I’ve done this many days now ‘or ‘I’ve saved this much money, I think it really does give variety of choice in your recovery.”
The app was created following winternationally recognised Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines with the help of academic gambling experts across the globe, through a multi-faceted project including analysis of data from over 60,000 people from eight different countries.
In terms of the app, the LRGG has highlighted three limits that should be followed if an individual wants to keep gambling, but reduce many of the risks that come with it: Avoid more than 2 types of gambling per month, gamble no more than 1% of your income and gamble on no more than 4 days per month.
The GambleAware Support Tool App can be downloaded from the Google Play Store for Android users, and the Apple App store for those using iOS.
