BetterBet

For gamblers who wish to understand gambling, BetterBet is a wellness gaming website that demonstrates the realities of gambling with transparent and accurate information. Unlike gambling blocker apps or therapy apps for gambling addiction, our project helps users build a healthy relationship with gambling using a more interactive approach. The project will develop a web app to highlight the predatory practices of online casinos. Online casinos often use these practices to get gamblers hooked on spending. One example of this is giving misleading numbers thus letting gamblers think they are winning more. Another example is near-misses, the casinos make the consumers think they are losing by a small margin. This makes the consumers keep playing because it seems like they are closer to winning. Our web app would like to inform users about these practices. The goal of this project is not to treat addiction, but to be a less addictive and more educational alternative to current online casinos. Our goal is to fight the gambling industry. User testing will be performed during different stages of development to collect data on which features are the most impactful. This will be done by providing a prototype of our application to potential users that will randomly expose them to different features as they play. The data will be analyzed to determine the impact certain features have on behaviors including speed and money spent. All app profits will be donated to a charity chosen by the user, reframing gambling as a charitable act and reducing associated guilt. The application will provide clear odds for all games, empowering users to make informed decisions. It will also show clear charts to serve as reminders about time spent and money used. Instead of abstract currencies, users will understand that they are dealing in US Dollars, with clear representations of gains and losses to avoid manipulative tactics. Lastly, the app will serve as an educational resource by offering responsible gambling information through articles, videos, and quizzes, with user participation rewarding them with simulated money.