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GamCare warns that everyday apps push people toward problem gambling

A leading support charity says points and rewards in non gambling apps can trigger serious betting habits.

Written by the BettingEdgeHub desk, 21 September 2026

Hidden triggers in everyday apps

The UK support charity GamCare released new research showing that everyday apps and websites can push people toward problem gambling. By analyzing thousands of helpline chats, experts found that features meant to make apps fun can blur the lines around risk. These tools often use rewards and urgency to keep users hooked.

Points, badges, and leaderboards are now common across retail and financial services. While these tricks help people stay engaged with learning or shopping, they also normalize taking risks. When apps use chance based rewards, users find it much harder to recognize or control their spending behavior.

Video games and online shopping

The charity highlighted loot boxes in video games and surprise purchases on shopping apps as major concerns. Callers to the helpline reported losing hundreds of pounds very quickly on surprise sets and high risk stock market trading. These digital features mimic traditional casino games without carrying the same legal labels.

GamCare CEO Victoria Corbishley explained that people struggle with changing forms of gambling. She noted that regulators must look beyond products legally defined as gambling. Focusing only on traditional betting products means missing the wider patterns of harmful behavior happening elsewhere online.

Better training and prevention

The organization wants greater emphasis on prevention and professional training so people can spot high risk design features early. Experts are calling for more research into how risky habits transfer from one product to another. Creating shared standards for responsible app design will help protect vulnerable consumers from hidden harms.