Apps for problem gambling have the potential to provide users with helpful features such as skills to handle urges to gamble, enhance motivation, promote social support and tools to monitor progress. On this page you fill find information on:
Apps and tools that may be helpful
The following are examples of apps and tools that have the potential to help people with experiencing gambling harm. Note: It's important that these apps and tools are used together with other therapies such as seeking professional help.
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Cost2Play calculator(external link)
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This app and online tool can help people understand the long-term costs involved in popular casino games such as slots, blackjack and roulette. It calculates all losses to highlight that even small individual losses can add up. This app can aid with motivation, but it is not a solution. | |
Online gambling blockers
Online gambling blockers are software tools to help you limit your online gambling by blocking access to gambling websites. The Salvation Army Oasis services have reviewed a few online gambling blockers, including information of how to access the software and a summary of the pros and cons of each. Read more about online gambling blockers [PDF, 117 KB] and learn more about online gambling blockers(external link).
Gambling harm apps that are NOT recommended
The following are examples of gambling harm apps that are not recommended. These summaries give insight into the sorts of things that make some gambling harm apps unfavourable.
BetQuit
The aim of this app is to provide fast filtering of online gaming websites on Android devices by becoming the default browser on the device. It aims to prevent users from accessing online gaming websites by blocking these sites (similar to antiviral software).
Comment (Dr Carlos Lam Yang, GP, East Health Trust)
I would not recommend this app to anyone as it appears to be focused on making money for the developer for what is essentially a browser with some extra codes to block gambling-related websites. Also, if you are seriously addicted, you would not install this app in the first place. Even if you did, you could easily uninstall it again. Also, it does not prevent you from accessing gambling websites on another device or computer. I would advise people not to waste their money on this app.
Safety concerns
- Unsure if BetQuit browser also transfers all your settings, passwords and credit card data from your existing browser into its memory bank and provides secure-enough high-level encryption to ensure that it does not get tampered with or hacked.
- Unsure where this app was developed – no mention of developers’ names or country of origin.
- Cost: $8.99/month on Android, $5/month on iOS. Does not allow free trial with reduced features or time-limited free trial. Multiple spelling mistakes on website. Need to register using Facebook, email or creating an account – does not allow option of being anonymous if you just want to try it out.
Addiction Avert
This app aims to be a self-help tool for clients with gambling addiction.
Comment (Alice Wang, Project Coordinator, Asian Family Services)
People with addiction are a very particular population who need lots of motivation to control their behaviour and strengthen their confidence to change. This app doesn’t look like it has enough of this kind of function. The function is not very practical as it is no different from a notebook. I can only see the function of this app as being like a memo. The layout of the app is not presentable.
Learn more
Choice Not Chance(external link)
Resources
Online gambling blockers fact sheet [PDF, 117 KB] The Salvation Army, NZ
