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The role of self-directed tools and strategies in reducing gambling harm: An explore report

Author: Behavioural Insights Team, Akila Ranganathan, Bálint Dercsényi, Reny Kiryakova, El Collerton, Ruth Persian, Dr Emily Arden-Close, Dr Reece Bush and Professor John McAlaney Published: January 2026
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Summary

This report explores why and how people who wish to reduce, quit, or manage their gambling engage with self-directed tools and strategies in Great Britain. It discusses these experiences across awareness, motivation, uptake, engagement and impact, identifying barriers and facilitators to inform recommendations for the sector explored further in the Final Synthesis report.

Topics covered

  • The self-directed tools and strategies available for people
  • People's awareness of and different motivations to use tools and strategies
  • People’s uptake and sustained engagement of tools and strategies
  • The barriers and facilitators to uptake and use of tools and strategies
  • The impact and effectiveness of tools and strategies

Key findings

  • People often do not see themselves as the intended audience for self-directed tools and strategies and have doubts on the effectiveness, trustworthiness and usability of self-directed support.
  • People are engaging in self-directed strategies without identifying them as such which contributes to strategies being less formalised than tools.
  • Types of self-directed tools used differ by demographic factors such as gender and ethnicity.
  • Self-directed tools and strategies are more effective when they offer a gradual and manageable approach compared to stopping abruptly.

Related content

Learning digest: factors influencing multi-agency working to address gambling-related harms (GRH) in Great Britain
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