- 18-24s are twice as likely to want to cut down or quit gambling compared with average across Great Britain1
- 48% of 18-24s using the GambleAware Support Tool say they are doing it to 'save money.’ 2
- Data from GambleAware shows that there are up to 4.5 million people in Great Britain wanting to reduce or quit gambling3
New data from the 2024 Treatment and Support Survey released by GambleAware shows 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%)1, with the charity responding with the launch of a new gambling harm prevention app, called the ‘GambleAware Support Tool.’
The app, which offers free and anonymous support to those looking to quit or reduce their gambling, is designed to prevent the escalation of gambling harm, and allows users to set their personal goals. Since 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.’2
Previous research from GambleAware’s 2023 Audience Segmentation report, produced as part of the discovery phase for the app development, has shown that 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.3 This means it is crucial to offer informal ‘self-help’ support to meet people where they are on their journey and help them take action before any harm escalates. Whilst the charity works to reduce the barriers to support, such as stigma, we also wish to help those who still want to reduce or quit gambling on their own.
Each individual’s journey on the app is unique, with the support tool offering a personalised experience for those looking to reduce their gambling.
The app was developed in line with the internationally recognised Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines4. These were created by academic gambling experts across the globe, through a multi-faceted project including analysis of data from over 60,000 people from eight different countries.
The LRGG highlight three limits that should be followed if an individual wants to keep gambling, but reduce many of the risks that come with it:
- Gamble no more than 1% of your income
- Gamble on no more than 4 days per month
- Avoid more than 2 types of gambling per month
This is the only app in Great Britain using the LRGGs to suggest limits for users who are looking to reduce their gambling.
Those who download the app can track their activity by inputting the frequency and spend of their gambling, with the aim of informing their chosen journey as to whether they wish to reduce or quit their gambling.
All advice and support is evidence based, while there is also access to resources such as podcasts and educational materials. For those who feel they need further help, there is also clear signposting to formal support options, such as GambleAware’s service finder tool.
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.”
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 GambleAware Support Tool App can be downloaded from the Google Play Store for Android users, and the Apple App store for those using iOS.
If you are worried about your gambling or someone else’s, you can reach out to the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133. It's available 24/7 and offers free, confidential advice, tools, and support.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
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A summary of the rationale for development of the GambleAware Support Tool App can be found in our research document.
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The stats used in this release are taken from the following reports:
1. Internal analysis by GambleAware of the Audience Segmentation research carried out by YouGov in 2023. Not publicly accessible beyond this report.
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18-24s are twice as likely to want to reduce or quit gambling compared to the average among those who gamble (29% compared to 15%)
2. Internal analysis by GambleAware of data from the GambleAware Support Tool. Not publicly accessible beyond this report.
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Since the launch of the app, 48% of users aged 18-24 have indicated their motivation to change their gambling activities to 'save money', while 27% say they want to 'feel happier.’
3. Taken from the Audience Segmentation research carried out by YouGov in 2023 (available here). This research found that 4.5 million people in Great Britain want to reduce or quit their gambling, of whom 93% – over 4.2 million people – want to do so without using a formal treatment service.
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Note that the Gambling Commission is the source for official statistics on the prevalence of gambling participation and harms through the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB).
4. More information about the Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines (LRGG) can be found here: https://gamblingguidelines.ca/ . The guidelines and associated materials were created over a rigorous four year period of research by leading experts in the field of gambling. The researchers conducted more than 260 risk curve analyses involving over 60,000 people from eight countries who gamble, conducted a bespoke online survey among over 10,000 respondents, focus groups with more than 50 people, two comprehensive literature reviews and collaborated with a group of some of the top gambling researchers in the world. An overview of the research can be found here: https://gamblingguidelines.ca/science-behind-guidelines/
About GambleAware
GambleAware is the leading independent charity (Charity No. England & Wales 1093910, Scotland SC049433) and strategic commissioner of gambling harm education, prevention, and treatment across Great Britain to keep people safe from gambling harms.
GambleAware commissions the National Gambling Support Network (NSGN) which provides free confidential treatment, as well as the National Gambling Helpline which takes over 55,000 calls a year.
The charity is independent and evidence-based, with a robust governance process in place to ensure the industry has absolutely no input or influence on our work.
Gambling harms can affect anyone, and not just those who gamble, but also their families and communities. These harms particularly affect communities that already face inequality.
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