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Support App for Gambling Addiction & Relatives

In this project, we developed a concept for a mobile app aimed at young adults with gambling addiction and their relatives. We collaborated with two clients with a personal connection to the issue, and the purpose was to create solutions that help both those affected and their loved ones regain control of their lives.

My Role

In this project, I was particularly involved in:

  • Ideation and solution development

  • Prototype design and feature structuring

  • User needs analysis through surveys and interviews

  • Clarifying flows that support both emotional and practical needs

 

My focus was on transforming insights from our target group into features that are empathetic, intuitive, and useful especially in relation to sensitive topics such as guilt, finances, and addiction.

Phones stacked showing different views of the app
Design Process & Method
Research & User Insights

We applied both quantitative and qualitative methods:

  • Two separate surveys: one for individuals with gambling addiction and one for relatives

  • In-depth interviews with participants from both groups

  • Participant observation through visits to meetings for people with gambling addiction and their relatives

 

Key Insight: Many experience a strong sense of loneliness and stigma, which prevents them from seeking help. The need for community, support, and clear guidance was central for both target groups.

Image of Empathy Map.
Image of Journey Map.
Ideation & Solutions

Based on our insights, we generated solutions that addressed three key needs:

Community & Forum

An anonymous community forum where users can share experiences, support each other, and feel understood.

This feature aims to:

  • Reduce feelings of shame and isolation

  • Create motivation through shared stories

  • Increase engagement and long-term use

Guidance & Support

The app offers:

  • Referral to help agencies (e.g. Helpline, advisors)

  • Articles and clips about addiction management

  • Self-assessment test for increased insight and reflection

Financial Recovery Support

A central part of the app is “My Finances”, where users can:

  • Practice creating and following a budget

  • Get help understanding the value of money

  • Work together with a relative on financial matters

 

We also proposed a collaboration with banks offering restart loans with conditions, a realistic way to restore finances on the user’s terms.

Sketch of the Start Page
Sketch of the Block Page
Sketch of the My Budget page
Sketch of the Community Page
Prototype & testing

Our work resulted in a prototype with the following key features:

  • Community forum (anonymity, shared stories, peer support)

  • Consequences view, allowing players to visualize potential future outcomes of their addiction

  • Self-assessment test with mirrored insights

  • Monthly budget and real-time tracking with support from relatives

 

We planned to conduct user testing with both target groups, but due to the sensitivity of the subject, our test group was limited. An important learning was that designing for vulnerable groups requires both trust-building interactions and respectful data handling.

Start Page
Community Page
Image of three frames with different interactions
Impact & Learnings

This project taught me:

  • To design features that build empathy, not just interactivity

  • The importance of balancing guidance and independence in apps with a therapeutic purpose

  • How to structure ideas around a sensitive topic into a usable and hopeful product experience

 

It strengthened my ability to lead ideation processes and build prototypes grounded in real insights.

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