Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has agreed to fund a pilot for UK-based Gamban to provide its software that blocks access to all online gambling sites and apps across all of a person’s devices free-of-charge for a year.
This follows similar partnerships struck with Norway’s government-owned national lottery and gaming operator, Norsk Tipping, to provide its software to those who are self-excluded, as well as Finland’s monopoly operator Veikkaus. Gamban is also free through Ohio’s self-exclusion platform TimeOutOhio.
Anyone in the Netherlands can obtain a free one year Gamban subscription by contacting the country’s national support service, Loket Kansspel, via the website, WhatsApp, email or over the phone. Users will be able to access a recently released Dutch version of the app, making it even easier for people in the Netherlands to take positive action in their recovery journey. Gamban is also assisting the KSA in detecting unregulated sites in its renewed efforts to tackle illegal gambling.
Nathalie Smit, Director at Loket Kansspel said: "At Loket Kansspel, we believe that taking control of your online environment is crucial for breaking free from gambling addiction. By partnering with Gamban, we're empowering individuals to stay in control and manage their gambling behaviour. We are excited to provide people with free access to gambling blocking software.”
Thomas Borghols, Addiction Prevention Fund Adviser at KSA said: “At present, KSA offers players struggling with their gambling behaviour the option to self-exclude through Cruks. However, Cruks pertains only to operators holding a licence in the Netherlands. Gamban gives players the opportunity to also block access to illegal gambling websites. When used together, Cruks and Gamban provide players a perspective on recovery. Teaming up with Loket Kansspel for the distribution of Gamban subscriptions was a logical choice for us, given that they are the first point of contact for players looking for an independent, judgement-free talk about the gambling issues facing them.”
Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder of Gamban, said: “Having a self-exclusion scheme in place can lead to the unintended consequence of leaving the most vulnerable individuals exposed to black market operators. Layering up blocking software with self-exclusion ensures that devices are unable to access gambling sites and apps, whether regulated or unregulated.”
Once the player downloads Gamban, it’s designed to be as difficult to remove as the various devices allow. Gamban aims to provide the right balance between protection and intrusion.
Zarb-Cousin added: “We always recommend using other barriers in addition to gambling-blocking software, such as self-exclusion. The friction these offer give the individual a chance to think between urge and action. During this time, they can ride out their urge or think again before acting on temptation. In a world where the lure of immediate gratification through digital activity is increasingly tempting, we want to help people regain control and balance - and by using Gamban, they can do that.”
