New research from GambleAware has found that nearly a third of young gamblers in Great Britain want to cut back or stop altogether. The study, done in partnership with YouGov, shows that 29% of gamblers aged 18 to 24 are thinking about changing their habits, almost double the rate seen in the wider gambling population, where just 15% say the same.
Young Gamblers Want Change
These findings played a big role in the launch of the new GambleAware Support Tool, a mobile app introduced in April 2025. The app offers free, low-pressure support for anyone looking to change their gambling behaviour, especially those who aren’t ready for formal treatment.
While the app is open to all users, it has been designed with young people in mind. Its features and messages aim to speak directly to younger players, who are more likely to want help but may prefer to manage things on their own.
Since it launched, the GambleAware Support Tool has also helped shed light on why people choose to take a step back from gambling. Among users aged 18 to 24, almost half (48%) said their main reason for cutting down was to save money.
Another 27% said they wanted to “feel happier,” showing that money worries and emotional well-being often go hand in hand.
Alexia Clifford, Chief Communications Officer at GambleAware, pointed out how easy access to gambling these days is becoming a serious issue.
“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,” she said.
A New Tool for a New Generation
One of the key features that sets the GambleAware Support Tool apart is its focus on helping users stick to the Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines. These are simple, research-based tips, like spending no more than 1% of your income on gambling, limiting gambling to four days a month, and avoiding more than two types of gambling in any given month.
These aren’t strict rules, but rather helpful suggestions backed by harm-reduction research. They give users a clear structure to follow when trying to regain control of their habits. The app’s focus on this kind of self-managed support fits well with what most people say they want: practical, low-pressure help they can use on their own terms.
GambleAware’s 2023 Audience Segmentation report estimated that around 4.5 million people in Britain want to cut down or stop gambling altogether. Interestingly, 93% of them prefer to do this without formal treatment.
That’s where tools like this app can really make a difference, especially for groups who are more likely to experience gambling harm. Recent research by GambleAware has shown that people who are neurodivergent, including those with ADHD or autism, face a higher risk of harm from gambling.
