Covid-19 Has Introduced Drastic Changes in Online and I Feel That the Regulators Should Be More Pro-active

Stephen Aupy VP of Strategic Partnerships at Gamban, speaks to Gambling.Re on the remote gambling world from a safer gambling perspective.

<h2>The remote gambling sector, like the rest of the world, is undergoing major change. </h2>As we are all trying to navigate around this uncharted climate, my current trail of thought regarding gambling addiction is that, whether in lockdown or isolation, players may very well find themselves vulnerable to online gambling.I would expect that more people are likely to present via remote treatment resources and helplines. Given the circumstances, safer gambling is even more critical to what regulators and operators in various markets do during this testing time.I feel that the industry needs to increase efforts on educating more of the public about the risks associated with online gambling and to promote safer gambling solutions. It is remarkably interesting to see what the interplay between land-based and online casino looks like during COVID-19. According to the findings of a survey carried out by Clean up Gambling in the UK, <blockquote>“The absence of opportunities to bet on sports indicates that they are resorting to online casino games and slot machines, which carry higher rates of addiction. Even among casual gamblers, more than half of respondents said they had sustained or increased their level of gambling”</blockquote><h2>“The rise of e-sports betting is becoming of great interest.”</h2>I have been following various markets and am finding the rise of wagering on e-sports to be of significant interest. Due to the lockdown of sporting events, we are seeing e-sports becoming fast-tracked for wagering in multiple markets. It is my opinion that the links between gaming and gambling will most certainly make for a Molotov of problematic behaviours that will attract the next generation of gamblers.On the other hand, we are hearing about how different regulators are stopping or limiting the amount of marketing that operators are sending to their customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.Unfortunately, I feel that these measures alone are still not efficient enough keeping an actual safer gambling perspective. COVID-19 has introduced drastic changes in online and I feel that the regulators should be more pro-active on addressing operators to ensure that compulsive online gambling doesn’t spike in society for their jurisdiction.I would like to see the regulators from various markets start to take the potential rise of problem gambling more seriously and start to underpin self-exclusion through the use of blocking software to really combat the issue.

Responsible Gambling during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Providing Norwegian Players with Gamban

Norsk Tipping Is Now Offering Gamban to Their Players to Block Themselves from Accessing Online Gambling Websites and Apps in the Country.   

We are extremely proud to announce that Norway’s Norsk Tipping has chosen Gamban to provide its users with gambling blocking software. The move will support people who have chosen to self-exclude in Norway by blocking unlicensed sites on a user’s devices.<blockquote>"It is our pleasure to work with Norsk Tipping to supplement their own self-exclusion process adding a new dimension of protection against the unregulated market. One of the most effective methods of excluding from regulated &amp; unregulated gambling sites is by blocking access at a device level. We hope to see a global adoption of blocking software into various market frameworks through a layered approach to self-exclusion." Stephen Aupy - VP Strategic Partnerships</blockquote>The state-owned Norsk Tipping is the only legal way Norwegians can access regulated lotteries and online gaming, and now the company will provide Gamban software to supplement the self-exclusion registry of the country. Gamban will also block users’ access to offshore operators (online casinos in other countries) which are not regulated or licenced for use in Norway.<blockquote>“Gamban’s software enables us to offer extended protection to customers wishing to block access to the black market. We are working on a series of extended responsible gambling measures within our jurisdiction. Gamban’s software will be a valuable supplement to our own systems.” Bjørn Helge Hoffmann -Norsk Tipping chief RG officer</blockquote>According to a survey conducted by the University of Bergen, 55,000, or 1.4% of the population, were classified as problem players in Norway, while a further 122,000, or 3.1% of the population, were classified as moderately at risk of developing a gambling problem.The study said the rise in problem gambling rates may be due to more people now participating in gambling, increased advertising exposure and advertising influence, as well as the fact that games are more accessible on the internet than ever before.

Gamban Partners with Norsk Tipping

Norsk Tipping Is Now Offering Gamban to Their Players to Block Themselves from Accessing Online Gambling Websites and Apps in the Country.

Highlighting the Importance of a Multi-Layered Approach to Self-Exclusion

Author: Patroklos Androulakis-Korakakis, Research Officer, Gamban

The UK Online Gambling ‘Self-Exclusion Puzzle’: Putting the Pieces Together

Highlighting the Importance of a Multi-Layered Approach to Self-Exclusion From Online Gambling

Take Part in a University of Sydney Research Study 

We’re inviting our users to take part in a research study run by the University of Sydney. The study explores how people experience Gamban and looks for ways to improve gambling blocking software as a harm minimisation tool.<h3>Who can take part?</h3>You can take part if you:<ul><li>are at least 18 years old</li><li>currently use Gamban</li><li>can read and understand English</li></ul><h3>What’s involved?</h3>You’ll complete an online survey about your experience using Gamban, as well as some background questions. It takes about 20 minutes.At the end, you’ll see your Gambling Recovery Score, along with a short explanation of what it means.<h3>How to join</h3>If you’d like to take part, simply click this link to start the survey:<a class="btn btn-primary" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0cZ3OFUHQECZs4C" role="button">Start the survey</a> <h3>Questions?</h3>If you have any questions about the study, you can contact:Dr Dilushi ChandrakumarFaculty of Science, School of PsychologyThe University of SydneyEmail: dilushi.chandrakumar@sydney.edu.au<h3>Important details</h3><ul><li>The study has been approved by the University’s Human Research Ethics Committee [2025_HE000601].</li><li>Taking part is completely voluntary, and you can stop at any time before submitting your answers.</li><li>All your answers will be kept anonymous and securely stored.</li></ul>Thank you for helping to improve tools like Gamban for everyone.

Share Your Experience With Gamban 

Join a short interview and help improve support for those in gambling recovery

<h4>Help Improve Financial Recovery Tools</h4>GaimControl is conducting research to better understand the financial challenges faced during gambling recovery. They are inviting individuals with lived experience to take part in a short interview, with a £25 Amazon voucher offered as a thank you for your time.By taking part in a short interview, you will have the opportunity to influence how future financial services and support tools are designed - helping make recovery easier and more sustainable for others.What to expect<ul><li>A one-off, 15-minute conversation over Zoom or phone</li><li>No preparation needed</li><li>Completely confidential and informal</li></ul>Interested?Email: contact@gaimcontrol.comWith the subject: Gamban InterviewsYou’ll receive a link to schedule your interview after registering your interest.Please note: GaimControl is organising this research independently. Gamban is sharing this opportunity.

Help Shape Financial Recovery and Get a £25 Voucher

Gamban users are invited to a 15-minute GaimControl interview to help shape better financial tools for recovery. £25 Amazon voucher for participants.

New partnership provides PFA NI members free access to Gamban's blocking software

We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with the Professional Footballers’ Association of Northern Ireland (PFA NI) to support professional footballers in tackling gambling-related harm.Through this partnership, we’re providing PFA NI members with free access to our industry-leading technology, which blocks access to gambling websites and apps across multiple devices. By offering this service, we aim to help protect players from the risks of gambling addiction and give them the tools they need to take control of their well-being.Melissa Etherington, Partnerships Executive at Gamban, said:  “Gambling addiction is a growing issue in football, which impacts mental health, finances, and a player’s performance on the pitch. It also has the potential to impact sports integrity. We are delighted to partner with PFA NI to raise awareness of Gamban among those most at risk from harms related to online gambling.”Michael Carvill, CEO of PFA NI, said:  “As the representative body for professional footballers in Northern Ireland, we are committed to supporting our members both on and off the pitch. Gambling addiction is a growing concern within football, and this partnership with Gamban is a significant step in providing practical help to those who need it.”At Gamban, we’re committed to working with organisations to reduce gambling harm and support those affected. This partnership with PFA NI is a key part of our mission to make a positive impact in the world of professional football.

PFA NI Partners with Gamban

Smart money management for gambling recovery

Gambling addiction is a complex issue that affects millions of people worldwide, with far-reaching consequences not just for individuals, but also for their friends, families, and communities. The financial, emotional, and social costs of gambling harm are often overlooked, leaving many without the support they need.To address these challenges, we are excited to announce our latest partnership with Sibstar, an innovative debit card and app designed to help protect individuals from gambling-related harm. This collaboration aligns with our shared mission to provide effective tools for reducing gambling harm and supporting those in recovery.Sibstar offers a range of money management features that empower customers to regain control of their finances. The Sibstar debit card can be loaded with a chosen amount of money, and its functionality can be managed via the Sibstar app. Key features include:<ul><li>A gambling block to prevent transactions with gambling merchants.</li><li>Spending controls, including monthly, daily, and ATM withdrawal limits.</li><li>Online and phone transaction switches, enabling users to control where their money is spent.</li><li>Instant freeze/unfreeze functionality for added flexibility.</li><li>Auto top-up options to maintain a daily balance.</li><li>Real-time notifications to track spending in detail.</li></ul>What makes Sibstar unique is its dual-management capability. Customers can self-manage their app and debit card or choose to share management with a trusted friend or family member. This added layer of accountability ensures that individuals who need extra support have it readily available.Sibstar’s approach to money management is built around self-empowerment and informed decision-making, which are critical for addressing gambling harm. By providing practical tools and real-time support, Sibstar enables individuals to set their own limits, monitor their behaviour, and make healthier financial decisions.Through this partnership, we aim to build on our promotion of Layered Self-Exclusion by promoting further resources available to individuals seeking to quit gambling with Gamban. Together, Gamban and Sibstar want to create more robust pathways to assist with addiction recovery, encouraging individuals to take steps that enhance their likelihood of gambling abstinence.As gambling harms continue to grow, innovative solutions like Sibstar are more important than ever. This partnership represents a significant step forward in promoting healthier, more informed money management and supporting long-term recovery.Learn more about Sibstar here. - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sibstar.co.uk/quitgambling">https://www.sibstar.co.uk/quitgambling</a>

Sibstar Partners With Gamban

Discover how Gamban and Sibstar are partnering to support recovery from gambling harm with innovative tools and solutions.

Dutch regulator KSA funds pilot, making Gamban available to support recovery.

Dutch gambling regulator <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kansspelautoriteit.nl/">Kansspelautoriteit (KSA)</a> has agreed to fund a pilot that will provide Gamban free-of-charge for a year to people in the Netherlands.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, our protection is designed to be as difficult to remove as the various devices allow and without being intrusive.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.”

Loket Kansspel Partners with Gamban

Dutch regulator KSA funds pilot, making Gamban available to support recovery

Help shape GAMSOL’s services to reach and support more people in need

GAMSOL specialises in supporting people with or who have had a gambling disorder in reclaiming losses from negligent gambling companies.To date, they have assisted clients on a one-to-one basis through their Early Representation service. Now, they are looking to expand their offerings to reach as many people as possible.Your input will help GAMSOL effectively target claims suitable for our Group Claims service (on a no-win, no-fee basis).The Gambling Commission frequently publishes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/enforcement-action">Enforcement Actions</a>, and whilst household names like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/article/bet365-to-pay-gbp582-120-for-regulatory-failures">Bet365</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/article/entain-to-pay-gbp17-million-for-regulatory-failures">Entain (Ladbrokes/Coral)</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/article/william-hill-group-businesses-to-pay-record-gbp19-2m-for-failures">William Hill</a> often appear, it is increasingly common for less familiar brands to act negligently in their pursuit of profit. Such examples include <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/article/vivaro-limited-faces-gbp337-631-regulatory-action">vbet (Vivaro)</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/article/blue-star-planet-faces-gbp620-000-regulatory-action">10Bet (Blue Star Planet)</a>, and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-register/business/detail/domain-names/2091">11 brands</a> operated by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/article/gbp6-1m-fine-for-online-operator-in-touch-games">In Touch Games</a>.Completing the questionnaire will not only help GAMSOL but also the many others they are assisting.<a class="btn btn-primary" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamsol.org/research-gb" role="button">Start Questionnaire</a>

GAMSOL needs your input to help people like you

Share your input to help GAMSOL expand their service and support more gambling claim victims.

Announcements

Responsible Gambling during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Gamban Partners with Norsk Tipping

The UK Online Gambling ‘Self-Exclusion Puzzle’: Putting the Pieces Together

Help Shape Financial Recovery and Get a £25 Voucher

PFA NI Partners with Gamban

Sibstar Partners With Gamban

Loket Kansspel Partners with Gamban

GAMSOL needs your input to help people like you

Protect ALL Of Your Devices

Announcements

List of Articles

Responsible Gambling during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Gamban Partners with Norsk Tipping

The UK Online Gambling ‘Self-Exclusion Puzzle’: Putting the Pieces Together

Share Your Experience With Gamban

Help Shape Financial Recovery and Get a £25 Voucher

PFA NI Partners with Gamban

Sibstar Partners With Gamban

Loket Kansspel Partners with Gamban

GAMSOL needs your input to help people like you

Protect ALL Of Your Devices

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