Hi Everyone
After coming out of a very serious 2-3 year period of problem gambling I want to make a difference and help people in the community. I wanted to create this post to start generating some ideas for an app which could be created around problem gambling. I have been doing research on problem gambling apps and have literally found 0 that I could say would have helped me back 2 years ago when I was in the grip of this horrible addiction (if you have found any that work please commment below). I think the addiction is very much pushed under the rug and I found alot of people dont even take the addiction seriously. Back when I gambled I would have many friends and family members shout at me saying "It's just gambling why cant you just stop betting?" Of course we know it is never this simple.
I have seen a few people talk about countdown clocks, the app giving rewards and motivation after reaching certain milestones and achievements eg 10 days gamble free etc. Anything and I mean anything you have as an idea Id love to hear it. Lets get this project going as a community and help destroy this terrible addiction once and for all!
Dale
Hi what a great idea! I will have a think maybe set up a social network or something? I know this place is great but would be even better under an app with contacts of people going through the same thing. For example there is a lot of people on here that I would like to be able to chat to
Thanks for the reply swordfish. Yeah I was thinking of getting something like this mobile, it is an amazing platform for a website but we all know that these cravings can come when we are on the move. I was thinking of incoporating a panic style button, you would then be instantly connected to someone who can help via the app. Any ideas are welcome :D!!
Being someone who uses a smart phone to bet, an app that automatically blocks all betting sites would be good. I know there is some blocking apps out there which could do the job, but nothing that is gambling specific.
Great idea by the way. Be interested to see what ideas you get.
RA
I think this is an absolutely fantastic idea!
Couple of thoughts...
(1) day / hour count would be good
(2) route planner so can find a way A to B without bookies
(3) post of the day - to give inspiration every day
Thanks
No I completely agree with you samson. Could charge say £2 for the app, then half the profits go to gamcare and the other for keeping the app up and running. Ethier that or the app is completely free and you can buy things on the app where proceeds go to gamcare. Im just busy brainstorming some ideas at the moment and wanted to see what people thought. Glad to see there at least seems to be a market for this. Love the idea of the route planner as well Change! Lets get this thing started and get those bookie shutters down once and for all!!!
Keep em coming 😀
If you charge money for the app, you will lose hundreds if not thousands of downloads. This isn't because of just the price but because people don't like giving bank details. Making money through advertisement would be better
There are hundreds of addiction apps on the market, all as useful to arresting compulsive behaviours as a chocolate fireguard. The ethics out of making money from vulnerable people is also questionable. Recovery is born from within. Not from somebody downloading an app
Yeah I completely agree day@atime, mind if the app brings something of value then I wouldnt see a problem. At the end of the day £1 for an app that could poetentially help save you thousands on bets is justified. Again I wasnt going to put a price on this anyways, I agree with swordfish in that the app should be free of charge.
It's a good idea Apart from charging for it. People just wouldn't pay for it. Plus gamcare are already funded by the industry
Have you actually had a look at how much it cost's to build an app then have it built hosted etc
I wouldn't waste your time or money.
Yeah and the costs are pretty steep. Was thinking of putting it on kickstarter and getting the project funded. Ill happily waste my time and money if it is going to help people.
Good luck with the project and I will look forward to seeing your app
Thanks for the input Steven + Gamcare community, ill keep you all updated.
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