Not Just a Problem That Impacts Men

Online Gambling Is Narrowing the Gap Between Male and Female Betting Habits  

<p>Problem gambling is often seen as a struggle that primarily affects men. While it is true that men represent the largest share of the betting public, and of problem gamblers, women are also susceptible to this addiction.</p><p>For decades, gambling was seen as more of a men’s domain. Whether it was by lack of interest or by social convention, most women wouldn’t even entertain the idea of walking into a betting shop. However, online gaming and the industry’s efforts to find new customers for a growing offer of gambling products have helped normalise gambling for the female public. Not only that, there’s even been an effort to try and portray gambling <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingsites.org/blog/how-gambling-can-be-more-fun-together/"><u>as a couple’s activity</u></a>.</p><p>How problem gambling manifests itself in players, however, tends to vary considerably based on one’s gender. Let’s take a look at some of the statistics and figures and see how this problematic behaviour impacts women gamblers.</p><h3>Women and Gambling: Running the Numbers</h3><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/Gambling-participation-in-2018-behaviour-awareness-and-attitudes.pdf"><u>A recent study by the UK Gambling Commission</u></a> produced some revealing stats on this topic. For instance, about <strong>41% of female respondents claimed to have engaged in gambling within the previous four weeks</strong>. While men still gambled at a higher rate, the key difference is their motivation.</p><p>The largest share of men reported they were most likely to gamble for fun. In contrast, women said that winning was their primary reason for playing. Also, motivations such as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rehabs.com/pro-talk-articles/gambling-addiction-why-women-risk-it-all/">escapism</a>, loss, abandonment and bereavement, may be more common among female gamblers.</p><p>Part of the reason for the increase in gambling activity is accessibility. While the advent of online platforms made betting a much more readily-available activity, it’s the rise of mobile gambling that presents the greatest opportunity to bet. It also provides anonymity and a sense of safety that many wouldn’t find in traditional betting venues. The Gambling Commission’s study shows that, in 2018, <strong>43% of women gamblers played using their phone – a 5% increase compared the year before.</strong></p><h3>Women Gamblers Aren’t Alone</h3><p>The stats give an impression of the problem. However, the real-life stories of individual women back up the premise. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6752665/The-women-gambling-marriages-careers-lives.html"><u>As many can testify</u></a> it’s a problem that tends to start small, then snowballs rapidly. Within a short time, casual female gamblers can find themselves addicted to online play – just like their male counterparts.</p><p>So, what can you do if you or someone you love is caught up in an addiction to online gambling? One of the first steps should be self-exclusion. This describes the practice of consciously preventing yourself from engaging in an activity, either by personal behaviour or through tools designed to block access to harmful sites.</p><p>Even when it comes to self-exclusion, though, there is still a disparity between genders. Of the 47% of respondents who were aware of self-exclusion as a means to address problem gambling, men reported self-excluding at a rate nearly double that of women (7% of all respondents, compared to 4%). The numbers are even lower for women who purchased a product to help them self-exclude, representing just 1% of respondents.</p><p>The journey towards recovery can begin by a multi-layer self-exclusion strategy: blocking all devices from accessing gambling sites and apps with Gamban, enrolling with the national self-exclusion schemes (if your country has one) and blocking payments to gambling operators – if your current bank doesn’t provide that, shop around for one that does.</p><p>While abstinence can increase your chances of recovery, those with a gambling addiction should also seek treatment rather than relying solely on technology. If you are in the UK, we recommend you get in touch with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/frontline-services/helpline">National Gambling Helpline</a>.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Sources:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/survey-data/Gambling-participation-in-2018-behaviour-awareness-and-attitudes.pdf"><u>https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/survey-data/Gambling-participation-in-2018-behaviour-awareness-and-attitudes.pdf</u></a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rehabs.com/pro-talk-articles/gambling-addiction-why-women-risk-it-all/"><u>https://www.rehabs.com/pro-talk-articles/gambling-addiction-why-women-risk-it-all/</u></a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6752665/The-women-gambling-marriages-careers-lives.html"><u>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6752665/The-women-gambling-marriages-careers-lives.html</u></a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamstop.co.uk/"><u>https://www.gamstop.co.uk/</u></a></p>

How Is Online Gambling Affecting Women?

Online gambling's hidden impact on women. Addressing the growing challenge of female gambling addiction.

Using Self-Exclusion As A Part Of Treatment &amp; Recovery

A survey into the usage and effectiveness of self-exclusion as a part of the recovery process. 

<figure><img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/5cd49ba8-5de3-4b9c-8459-977ceabcb692.jpg" alt="gamban gambling recovery process" /></figure><p>In October 2018, GambleAware commissioned an <a href="https://about.gambleaware.org/media/1813/blocking-software-evaluation-findings-report.pdf">independent evaluation</a> on online blocking software, designed to block access to gambling websites and apps.</p><p>The evaluation, conducted by researchers from Winning Moves, led to <a href="https://about.gambleaware.org/media/1814/2018-10-10-blocking-software-evaluation.pdf">GambleAware’s decision to fund distribution of Gamban</a> through the national gambling treatment network.</p><p>Karl King, Associate Director of Winning Moves said: “Based on the results of systematic testing, blocking software appears to be generally effective in restricting access to online gambling. One gambling-specific package [<a href="https://gamban.com/">Gamban</a>] was found to block access to 99% of active gambling websites associated with UK Gambling Commission licences. When gamblers experiencing gambling-related harm are not aware of blocking software it can come as a welcome surprise, particularly to those feeling that they had exhausted all other potential self-treatment methods available to them. Blocking software was felt to work best as part of a treatment package tailored to the individual rather than being effective in isolation.”</p><p>Marc Etches, Chief Executive of GambleAware said: “Blocking software can be an effective tool to help those at-risk of getting into difficulties resist the ubiquitous gambling adverts and special offers that surround us these days. This report reinforces the point that such tools work best as part of a treatment package tailored to the individual rather than being effective in isolation. This evaluation gives us the confidence we needed to fund the use of this software for anyone who is referred to our treatment services.”</p><h3>How Effective are Gamban and Self-Exclusion?</h3><p>As part of the distribution arrangement between <a href="https://gamban.com/">Gamban</a> and <a href="https://www.begambleaware.org/safer-gambling/gambling-blocking-software/">GambleAware</a> individuals obtaining the software free-of-charge through the network of distribution partners, including the <a href="https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/talk-to-us-now/">National Gambling Helpline</a> (operated by <a href="https://www.gamcare.org.uk/">GamCare</a>), Breakeven,<a href="https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk/"> Gordon Moody Association</a> and <a href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/">Citizens Advice</a>, opted to participate in a survey evaluating the effectiveness of Gamban. Just over a year since distribution started and the headline results are:</p><ul><li>89% of participants said that they thought Gamban was a helpful tool in aiding their recovery</li><li>62% of participants said that they used additional digital self-help tools to aid their recovery</li><li>70% said they felt that Gamban helped them significantly reduce the amount of time they spent gambling online</li><li>88% said they would recommend Gamban as part of the recovery process</li></ul><p> </p><p>Jack Symons, Chief Executive of Gamban says “Although these figures are both positive and promising, there is also room for improvement. We continue to believe that blocking software works best in conjunction with other barriers and have come to understand that Gamban is particularly effective when used in a structured treatment environment, as part of a more holistic recovery process. We will continue to develop functionality that adds value to individuals and treatment providers in this way. As well as using technology to minimise gambling-related harm and support recovery, we must also work on improving distribution effectiveness through training, while continuing to play a role in combating stigma, shame and silence that prevents many from making that crucially important first step."</p>

Does Gambling Self-Exclusion Work?

How effective is self-exclusion? 88% of participants would recommend Gamban as a part of the recovery process.

The Truth Is You May Need More than Blocking Software to Stop Gambling Online…

Improving Your Chances of Beating Gambling Addiction  

<p>The truth is you may need more than blocking software to stop gambling online… And that’s coming from us at Gamban.</p><p>We say this because we understand problem gambling and we’ve been there ourselves. Gamban is great as a tool to help you get on the path to recovery and keep you on that path, but you may find the following practical resources extremely helpful.</p><p>Remember TIME, ACCESS &amp; MONEY.</p><h3>Time: Don't give yourself time to gamble</h3><p>This is the more difficult of the three components and involves distraction, filling the gambling “void” and exploring appropriate treatment options. This doesn’t have to be a negative undertaking; it’s a chance to adopt new hobbies and pastimes, with more available spending money.</p><h3>Access: Restrict access to gambling</h3><p>In addition to Gamban, we recommend registering with GAMSTOP, the national online <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/blog/ban-yourself-from-online-gambling">self-exclusion scheme.</a> Over the year more and more operators are likely to sign up to this, which means better protection. GAMSTOP is good and it’s only going to get better when the UKGC licensing conditions enforce all UK operators to fall into line.</p><h3>Money: Control your gambling spending</h3><p>The popular “21st Century” banks Monzo and Starling each offer excellent gambling spend-blocking. This is as helpful as it is forward-thinking.</p><p>What all of these resources have in common is they do not require a parent, partner or friend to safeguard you. Abstaining from gambling is no longer infantilising. The tools are there to help. You just need to commit.</p><p>For more information on resources in your area please visit Gamban resources. With Gamban installed, you will also see this page on attempting to access a gambling site. </p>

Why Using More than One Tool Is Important

Learn why a multi-tool approach is key to stopping online gambling. Discover practical resources and tips to support your recovery.

What Are the Pitfalls of Self-Exclusion, and How Can You Prepare Yourself for Them?

Self-exclusion Isn't the Silver Bullet Many Are Led to Believe  

<p>The mechanism of self-exclusion falls into each of the stages of responsible gambling – yet it depends how the operator delivers and upholds the exclusion. The late economist and gambling expert, Bill Eadington, proposed four Stages of Responsible Gambling: Denial, Lip Service, Halfway House and Full Commitment.</p><h2>What Is Self-Exclusion?</h2><p>Self-exclusion is the process by which an individual can ban themselves from a site (or in some cases, a network of sites under an operator), restricting access to the iGaming platform. This has come to be a requirement of operators and, although a necessary option, the way it tends to be implemented is inherently flawed.</p><p>In the first instance, problem gamblers can often bypass their own self-exclusion. A new [email] address and a common name can enable self-excluded gamblers to re-register and continue betting. However, even if a player observes the self-exclusion, what’s to stop a self-excluded individual from moving on to one of thousands of other online gambling sites?</p><p>From a player’s perspective, there isn’t much that differentiates one gambling site from another, so excluding a problem gambler from one platform does not tackle the issue, especially as operators are vying to attract new players with sign up bonuses and incentives. Industry-wide self-exclusion requires operators en-masse to sign up and participate.</p><p>Alas, not all operators do.</p><h2>Why Tools Along With Self-Exclusion Can Be Affective</h2><p>A combination of registering with a national self-exclusion scheme – gamstop for those in the UK – and blocking software, such as Gamban, can be extremely effective at enforcing self-exclusion and improving overall industry sustainability.</p><p>The industry must recognise collectively that ‘passing the buck’ or allowing individuals to sign up to other sites, is unsustainable and that the actions of the least responsible affect the reputation of the most responsible.</p><p>It is conceivable that there’s a competitive ‘disadvantage’ that comes with acting responsibly. Doing the ‘right thing’ should not result in competitor absconsion.</p><p>One operator, aligned with Gamban, explained that in offering Gamban protection to their players who presented with problems, the results were remarkable; aggression was replaced by gratitude – and support agents were able to respond with actionable solutions to uphold self-exclusion. This has a positive effect, not only on the individuals struggling to control their online gambling but on the morale of the team and an industry that struggles to control its reputation.</p><p>Learn more about Self-exclusion <a href="https://gamban.com/blog/ban-yourself-from-online-gambling">here</a>.</p>

Flaws Uncovered in Online Self-exclusion Scheme

The mechanism of self-exclusion falls into each of the stages of responsible gambling. From a player’s perspective, there isn’t much that differentiates one gambling site from another.

Self-reflective Questions for Those at Risk with Online Gambling

Ask yourself the following questions and consider the effect gambling has on you and the people around you.

<p>Ask yourself the following questions, and reflect on your relationship with gambling. </p><ul><li>Are you preoccupied with gambling?</li><li>Do you forget everything else when you gamble or think about gambling?</li><li>Do you need to bet more money more frequently in order to experience the same excitement?</li><li>Do you become restless or irritated when you have to leave a game?</li><li>Do you often gamble to escape worries or troubles?</li><li>Are you more preoccupied with gambling than you or your family and friends find reasonable?</li><li>Are you convinced that happiness will be yours, or that all your financial problems will be solved if only your winnings were big enough?</li><li>Do you feel that it’s only a matter of patience, a question of perseverance before it’s your turn to be lucky?</li><li>After losing, do you feel the need to return as soon as possible and win back your losses?</li><li>Do you lie in order to hide your gambling activities from your family and friends?</li><li>Have you ever committed an illegal act, e.g. credit card fraud, theft or embezzlement, to finance your habit?</li><li>Have you lost, or risked losing your friends or your job, or been forced to drop out of your education, because of gambling?</li><li>Have you been forced to rely on others, e.g. family, friends or an institution, to solve the financial difficulties which result from your gambling?</li><li>Have you tried repeatedly to bring your gambling under control, or to stop completely, without success?</li></ul><p>If you feel some additional help alongside Gamban would be helpful, please visit our Get Help page for links to valuable resources and other <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/blog/ban-yourself-from-online-gambling">self-exclusion schemes</a>.</p><p>Gamban can help you overcome your gambling habits, but don't just take our word for it, find out what others have said about the software below. </p><h3><strong>Feedback on Gamban…</strong></h3><blockquote><p>“If gamban was available then it could have helped my son Ryan, who tragically committed suicide because of a gambling addiction that was allowed to spiral out of control by an uncaring industry. The industry should be made to offer gamban to their customers if they become addicted.” <strong>John Myers</strong></p></blockquote><blockquote><p>“Despite promises to introduce a system where addicted gamblers can ban themselves from all online gambling sites, the industry is still dragging its heels. That’s why gamban® must be made available to everyone who needs it.” <strong>Carolyn Harris MP</strong></p></blockquote><blockquote><p>“I want to thank you for creating this software. The fact that you’ve made it so affordable really shows how much you care about helping people with gambling problems. I have recently installed your software as an aid to prevent problem gambling and it’s been effective so far.” <strong>Gamban user</strong></p></blockquote><blockquote><p>“Completely out the way, but nice to know the temptation is removed… I’m free” <strong>Gamban user</strong></p></blockquote><blockquote><p>“I am so happy to have gamban on my android phone. It gives me a feeling of security from this horrible addiction I will help you in any way I can as I am so grateful to you for this. Thanks again for the help.” <strong>Gamban user</strong></p></blockquote><blockquote><p>“Thank you so much. Such value for money. I am really pleased, I started to feel that something that started as fun was becoming addictive. Luckily I am stopping this now before it gets too out of control.” <strong>Gamban user</strong></p></blockquote><blockquote><p>“Thanks again for the great programme, I think it has helped me a lot.” <strong>Gamban user</strong></p></blockquote><blockquote><p>“I continue to be grateful to gamban and you in particular for your help and support. It is most appreciated. I can’t do it on my own!” <strong>Gamban user</strong></p></blockquote><p>More feedback: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/gamban.com">https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/gamban.com</a></p>

Are You At Risk From Online Gambling?

Self-reflective questions for those at risk with online gambling. Have you tried repeatedly to bring your gambling under control, or to stop completely, without success?

Let’s Put All Available Self-Exclusion Tools in Place

Despite Its Flaws, Self-Exclusion Schemes Can Be a Powerful Recovery Tool When Used along Side with Other Tools

<p>Gambling addiction is a serious problem in many countries. Although this is something that many associates with land-based casinos and high street betting shops, increased access to online betting caused the rate of addiction to explode in recent years. The increased access and less-tangible oversight of remote betting did not change any of the fundamental causes or contributing factors of addiction. It merely expanded upon a pre-existing social issue to which most countries are slow to react.</p><p>Currently, users are forced to rely primarily on self-control to manage their behaviour, doing their best to ignore aggressive advertising, emails from operators offering a huge bonus, the machines available at the local pub, and everything else that pushes them into some sort of gambling. That means hundreds of thousands of victims of addiction are fighting–and often losing–an uphill battle.</p><p>Managing problem gambling effectively demands supplementary assistance to provide a firm barrier between victims and opportunities to gamble.</p><h3>Background &amp; research</h3><p>Online gambling represented approximately 35% of total market share in the UK betting industry in 2018. This demonstrates incredible growth in the last decade. Data published by the UK Government shows total online spending grew from £816.86 million annually in 2008 to £4.9 billion in 2018. Total revenue generated by gaming software increased by 172% between 2015 and 2016 alone.</p><p>Unfortunately, rates of addiction have kept pace right alongside this fast-growing business sector. According to the UK Gambling Commission, more than 2 million people in the UK are either current problem gamblers or are at medium to high risk of addiction. Of that subset, roughly 430,000 people are already victims of a serious betting habit. But it could be even worse. Those who help treat problem gambling often tell us that in their experience, it is far worse than what these figures show.</p><p>The problem is also spreading to a wider range of individuals. Although according to the UK Gambling Commission, “men are 7.5 times more likely than women to be classed as problem gamblers,” the Gambling Commission’s data shows gambling on the rise across every demographic. The increase in gambling addiction is especially prominent among younger (16-24 year old) players, whose lack of experience and self-control can compound the problem. Additionally, while only 4% of the nation’s population gamble online, the percentage of at-risk gamblers who do is almost 35%. This places the overall rate of problem gambling in online betting at 10.6% of users</p><p>Clearly, something needs to be done.</p><h3>What about gambling self-exclusion?</h3><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/blog/ban-yourself-from-online-gambling">Self-exclusion</a> is the key means of mitigating the impact of problem gambling. And, on a positive note, the number of gamblers choosing to exclude themselves from online gambling companies is on the rise, as the most recent data from the UK Gambling Commission shows.</p><p>The total number of self-exclusions in online gambling: </p><ul><li>Nov 2014 – Mar 2015: 179,142</li><li>Apr 2015 – Mar 2016: 612,427</li><li>Apr 2016 – Mar 2017: 1,117,322</li><li>Oct 2016 – Sep 2017: 1,309,740</li></ul><p>Unfortunately, it’s not all good news. A growing number of cases has been reported where a breach of self-exclusion has happened. This can happen because the technology has failed because the operator didn’t honour the self-exclusion request, or simply because the player found a way to circumvent the self-exclusion process.</p><p>The total number of known breaches of self-exclusions in online gambling:</p><ul><li>Nov 2014 – Mar 2015: 12,576</li><li>Apr 2015 – Mar 2016: 36,992</li><li>Apr 2016 – Mar 2017: 73,715</li><li>Oct 2016 – Sep 2017: 86,800</li></ul><p>The key issue is clear: as interest in online gambling grows, so does problem gambling, as well as breaches of self-exclusion. Gambling addiction is already a serious problem, but reliance on traditional self-exclusion alone is not a reliable solution. A more comprehensive solution is clearly required.</p><h3>Effective self-exclusion for problem gambling</h3><p>Problem gamblers need help, and operators are well-positioned to provide the necessary assistance. Online gambling websites have a moral responsibility to engage in harm-reduction best practices, and it’s often while on their websites, that players take the decision to reach out for help. Beyond that, though, operators also have a clear business interest to ensure safe play.</p><p>Preemptive action by businesses has long been seen as an alternative to enforced regulation. While this does involve some minor investments, the amounts are minimal when compared with the alternative.</p><p>For example, failing to act in the face of rising instances of problem gambling is likely to lead to greater scrutiny of the industry. Government regulatory bodies may enforce stricter control over the sector, leading to greater fines and penalties for operators. We are seeing this already in the UK, where the regulator issued several fines, and of record amounts, over the past months. This will damage further the reputation of the industry, creating a negative media and public impression of gambling in general, and ultimately, threatening the industry’s sustainability. As increased breaches of self-exclusion techniques underscore, there is a need for more than one approach.</p><p>A loose variety of different tools and strategies cannot guarantee greater protection. In fact, deploying technologies in an uncoordinated or haphazard manner may cause tools to overlap or interfere with one another, creating additional vulnerabilities that operators hadn’t anticipated. These tools need to work in a coordinated, targeted manner to have the greatest effect.</p><p>First, we should identify three key points at which the individual online gambler is at risk:</p><p><strong>The Person: </strong>The individual who gambles.<strong>The Device:</strong> The medium through which the individual plays.<strong>The Money: </strong>The funds used to fuel the gamble.</p><p>A working, comprehensive strategy for problem gambling will block users access at each point of vulnerability. We recommend you deploy a unique exclusion tool at each of these points:</p><h3><strong>The Person</strong></h3><p>Encourage users to enrol in GamStop. This nonprofit service allows users to exclude themselves from a growing number of UK gambling operators, based on user identity.</p><h3><strong>The Device</strong></h3><p>Blocking the device itself from accessing gambling websites is what tools like Gamban do. A growing number of gambling operators and support organisations is distributing Gamban licences to their customers and service users. The software is also available for purchase online, directly at Gamban’s website.</p><h3><strong>The Money</strong></h3><p>Working with banks like Monzo and Starling can give users the power to block transactions to their players’ accounts. This way, they cannot fund their gambling account, preventing them from playing.</p><p>Comprehensive blocking is the most effective solution available offering immediate access by players and operators. The strategies recommended above showcase demonstrated, long-term effectiveness when deployed as part of a unified front against problem gambling.</p><p>There are many other necessary steps in the process to provide genuine consumer protection against problem gambling, including education as well as more dynamic and responsive regulation. However, providing customers with the ability to exclude themselves–and make that exclusion more reliable and difficult to trick–is a critical first step.</p><p>For more information about Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/blog/ban-yourself-from-online-gambling">read on here</a>.</p><h3>Sources:</h3><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/Statistics-and-research/Statistics/Industry-statistics.aspx">https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/Statistics-and-research/Statistics/Industry-statistics.aspx</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://data.gov.uk/dataset/e7032815-5990-4439-b5c8-8553cf5b7fdd/uk-gambling-industry-statistics">https://data.gov.uk/dataset/e7032815-5990-4439-b5c8-8553cf5b7fdd/uk-gambling-industry-statistics</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/survey-data/Gambling-behaviour-in-Great-Britain-2015.pdf">https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/survey-data/Gambling-behaviour-in-Great-Britain-2015.pdf</a></p><p>http://tuck-fac-cen.dartmouth.edu/images/uploads/faculty/andrew-king/selfreg.pdf</p>

Is Self-Excluding from online Gambling the right choice for me?

Let’s put all available self-exclusion tools in place. Managing problem gambling effectively demands supplementary assistance to provide a firm barrier between victims and opportunities to gamble.

What Can You Do, to Give Yourself the Best Chance of Recovery?

Tips for Those Asking How to Stop Gambling

<p>Gamban has been designed by people (gamblers) with first-hand experience in problem gambling. While our primary focus is software development and creating practical barriers to online gambling, we wanted to share some of our own ideas for recovery and minimising the risk of gambling relapse.</p><h2>Gamban can remove the gambling temptation</h2><p>Before we started Gamban we heard stories of people freezing credit cards in blocks of ice to create a ‘temptation buffer’ and a lady who, knowing she’d gamble only on weekends, would send her payment cards in the post to herself on a Friday, so they would arrive on Monday. We experimented with parental control systems where a friend was needed to look after a code and we explored other, more expensive and restrictive gambling-blocking software. We hope, with Gamban, you don’t feel you need to resort to these methods. We also hope, in time, that you don’t even need Gamban. We see Gamban as a tool that can help people on their path to recovery, quite possibly alongside other forms of treatment. Like the dating site, Match.com famously celebrate drop-offs in user numbers as a sign that people are finding love, we like to think that those who no longer require our software are out of the ‘danger zone’. That said, many choose to keep Gamban on their systems for ongoing peace of mind. After all, the cost of Gamban is negligible compared to the cost of online gambling addiction.</p><p>Here are some ideas that you may find helpful:</p><h3>A new email address</h3><p>You may continue to receive gambling-related emails and enticing 500% bonus offers after closing your account. It may be easier to start using a different ‘clean’ email address. Give yourself a fresh start – but don’t forget to update your Gamban account with your new email.</p><h3>Self-compassion</h3><p>Learning to understand, tolerate, like and love yourself is a crucially important aspect to recovery. It’s important to understand that self-compassion does not mean self-indulgence. The objective is not to give yourself permission to gamble but to forgive yourself if you fall. Setting unreachable standards can be less than useful in recovery from gambling addiction. For more information on self-compassion and for some useful exercises visit http://self-compassion.org/ (one useful, if a little strange, exercise involves sending a letter to yourself from the perspective of a close and empathetic friend).</p><h3>Draw a line</h3><p>It’s OK; you’re never going to get that money back. It’s gone. The worst thing is to continue chasing. Learn and move on. You may be searching for someone to give you that reassurance that everything will be OK. If you are reading this with that mindset, then take this onboard: it’s what you do now that matters.</p><h3>Know you will never win</h3><p>You might win occasionally but what you win is almost certainly going back… and then some. One of the worst things that can happen to a gambler is a big win. You’re either chasing losses or worse, chasing wins. The best advice is to stay away completely. The cost of advertising, licensing, buildings, salaries – you gamble long enough, you lose – it’s that simple. This alone probably isn’t enough to make you stop – and we understand that.</p><h3>Give control away</h3><p>You may need someone to handle access to money in your state of vulnerability. Discuss this with parents, friends, family, partners – anyone you completely trust. Failing this, being accountable to someone else by showing them your bank statements means there is someone else included in your path to recovery.</p><h3>Distraction</h3><p>It may be too hard to stop ‘cold turkey’ with no other distractions or alternatives to gambling. Quite simply, you aren’t going to find anything to rival gambling in terms of excitement. It’s designed to transition you from a high to a low and back again. Try to reduce the requirement for stimulation from an activity by engaging in more activities that involve ‘flow state’. Get ‘absorbed’ in video games, play cognitive strategy games or engage in something more meditative like puzzle games. The jury’s out on free-to-play gambling games and whether they act as a relapse risk or as ‘methadone-to-heroin’.</p><h3>Mindfulness</h3><p>Using an application like Headspace can be extremely helpful in understanding your mind and slowing the response between thought, feeling and behaviour. Countless medical professionals suggest mindfulness as an effective option for problem gamblers. For more general information on Mindfulness (and getting better sleep!), visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nestmaven.com/sleep/aids/mindfulness/">https://www.nestmaven.com/sleep/aids/mindfulness/</a></p><h3>Create digital barriers</h3><p>By signing up to GAMSTOP (Spring 2018), you reduce the options for gambling with UK based gambling sites and with Gamban installed you reduce access to all gambling sites and applications. Download Gamban at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamban.com/register">https://www.gamban.com/register</a></p><h3>Create physical barriers</h3><p>Where do you gamble? In the bedroom? In the lounge? Then ban your computer from the bedroom and lounge. It may be easier for you to set rules on where you use your computer than how you use your computer, to help combat the urge to gamble.</p><h3>Shaving is saving</h3><p>By ‘shaving’ off the middle 8 digits and security code of your credit or debit card, you remove the ability to make online payments. This may not be possible if you do the majority of your shopping online but if you can remove the ability to spend online then this might help. You may also need to close PayPal and other payment methods to enforce this barrier.</p><h3>Talk</h3><p>Whether you want to talk on the phone, message via live chat, email or talk face-to-face, there are plenty of options available. It is entirely likely that your gambling activity is symptomatic of another [deeper] problem and for this, we highly recommend therapy. Some helpful resources include; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/talk-to-us-now/?cn-reloaded=1">The National Gambling helpline</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/">Gamblers Anonymous</a> and GamAnon. </p><p>Ultimately, we believe there is a place for will-power – or more accurately, ‘won’t-power’ – but effective barriers can be helpful on the path to recovery from gambling addiction. Download Gamban at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamban.com/register">https://www.gamban.com/register</a></p>

12 Practical Tips For Problem Gamblers

We believe there is a place for will-power – or more accurately, ‘won’t-power’. Learning to understand, tolerate, like and love yourself is a crucially important aspect to recovery.

Guest blog by Alyx Effron - Collectors MD

<p>For most people, collecting starts as a passion - whether it’s sports cards, comics, sneakers, or memorabilia. There’s joy in the hunt, satisfaction in the display, and meaning in the memories these objects hold.</p><p>But for some collectors, especially in today’s hyper-digital, high-frequency landscape, that passion can quietly morph into something else: compulsion.</p><p>The rise of online marketplaces, live breaking platforms, mystery packs, and “chase” products has fundamentally changed the nature of the hobby. It’s no longer just about what you collect - it's how you acquire it. And increasingly, that <i>how</i> mirrors the behavior and psychology of gambling.</p><p><strong>Breaking, Chasing, &amp; The Slot Machine Effect</strong></p><p>Live stream card breaking has exploded in popularity, offering users the chance to pay into randomized openings of sealed product. On the surface, it looks like entertainment. But beneath that, the mechanics are eerily familiar: real money is exchanged for randomized outcomes, with intermittent rewards, a strong fear of missing out (FOMO), and a rapid cycle of stimulus and response.</p><p>For many, it's fun. For others, it's a dangerous loop.</p><p>Much like a slot machine, each break or rip offers the chance to win big - or walk away with nothing. And like gambling, the occasional “win” reinforces the behavior, even when the losses far outweigh the gains.</p><p><strong>The Mental Toll Behind The Mask Of The Hobby</strong></p><p>What makes this cycle so insidious is that it’s often hidden behind the mask of a socially accepted (even celebrated) hobby. Friends and family may not recognize the behavior as problematic. After all, it’s just collecting cards - right?</p><p>But if you’re:</p><ul><li>Spending more than you can afford</li><li>Hiding purchases or downplaying their frequency</li><li>Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed when you’re not engaging</li><li>Trying to stop and finding you can’t</li></ul><p>…then it may be time to reevaluate the role collecting is playing in your life.</p><p><strong>Building Guardrails In A Guardrail-Free Space</strong></p><p>Unlike traditional gambling environments, the hobby space has no regulatory framework. No required disclaimers. No age limits. No mandated protections. Collectors, especially young or vulnerable ones, are often left to navigate this complex terrain alone.</p><p>That’s why Collectors MD partnered with Gamban.</p><p>Together, we’re providing collectors with the tools to recognize harmful behavior <i>and</i> take proactive steps toward regaining control. Gamban’s software blocks access to high-risk platforms like Whatnot, Fanatics Live, and other gambling-adjacent apps—offering a much-needed line of defense for those who are struggling.</p><p>This partnership isn’t about canceling the hobby. It’s about protecting the people in it.</p><p><strong>Moving Forward With Awareness &amp; Support</strong></p><p>At Collectors MD, we believe collecting can still be joyful, intentional, and meaningful. But only when it’s done with self-awareness - and the right support structures in place.</p><p>Whether you're a parent worried about your child’s spending, a collector caught in the cycle, or simply someone trying to understand the changing landscape of the hobby, we’re here to help.</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://collectorsmd.com/">https://collectorsmd.com/</a></p><p>Let’s rewrite what it means to be a collector in today’s world - not driven by addiction or algorithms, but by connection, purpose, and clarity.</p>

When Collecting Feels Like Gambling

When collecting becomes compulsive, it can mirror gambling. Learn how platforms like Gamban and Collectors MD help protect hobbyists from harm.

Removing Just One Element – Time, Money or Access – Can Help

<p>In fire safety, there's a simple concept called the <strong>fire triangle</strong>: heat, fuel, and oxygen. Take away just one of these, and the fire dies. We believe the same model applies to gambling recovery. Remove time, money or access, and you reduce the risk of further harm.</p><h4><strong>Time</strong></h4><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/blog/gamban-new-features-track-your-time-and-money-saved">Time</a> is easy to overlook, but it's often the first thing gambling consumes.</p><p>Not just the time spent betting — it's time spent thinking about gambling, chasing losses, worrying about money. Time is finite; every moment given to gambling is time taken from something else. By replacing gambling with something that occupies your time, you reduce the risk of further gambling harm by limiting the availability of gambling.</p><h4><strong>Money</strong></h4><p>The danger with gambling isn't just losing money — it's believing you can win it back. Many <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/blog/block-gambling-transactions">banks</a> offer gambling spend blocks so this can help protect you from spending money on gambling. Unfortunately, many of us lose everything to gambling but find ourselves spending everything we get on gambling, or worse, finding other means to access money.</p><h4><strong>Access</strong></h4><p>Gambling is only a few taps away, and your phone is, among other things, an online casino. </p><p><strong>Gamban</strong> exists to remove that access — to take one side of the triangle away and give people space to breathe, think, and recover. Self-exclusion schemes like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamstop.co.uk/">GAMSTOP</a> are very effective at restricting access to online gambling. Having both in place is the best strategy.</p><p> </p><h3><strong>Putting the Fire Out</strong></h3><p>The fire triangle teaches us a simple but powerful lesson: when you remove just one element, the fire dies. We can apply the same thinking to gambling harm: reducing time spent on gambling, removing access to gambling or restricting our ability to spend money on gambling.</p><p>You don't have to do everything at once. Start with what's most achievable. Each element you remove reduces harm and creates space for recovery.</p><h4><strong>Remove Time</strong></h4><ul><li>Track when you feel most tempted to gamble and create alternative routines in those time slots</li><li>Replace unstructured time with planned activities, even small changes help: walks, calls, hobbies, volunteering</li></ul><h4><strong>Restrict Money</strong></h4><ul><li>Enable gambling blocks through your bank or financial apps (check if your bank offers this)</li><li>Delay access to money, move savings to an account you can't instantly access or use a pre-paid card for daily spending</li><li>Ask someone you trust to help manage your finances, if you're in a crisis phase</li></ul><h4><strong>Block Access</strong></h4><ul><li>Use software like Gamban to block gambling sites and apps across your devices</li><li>Register with a self-exclusion scheme – find localised options and support <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/help">here</a></li><li>Contact your mobile network or ISP to request gambling restrictions at the network level</li></ul><p>No one approach works for everyone, but even one of these changes can interrupt harmful patterns and help you move forward.</p>

What Fire Teaches Us About Gambling

Fire needs fuel. So does gambling. Take away time, money or access - and reduce the help reduce harm

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How Is Online Gambling Affecting Women?

Does Gambling Self-Exclusion Work?

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Flaws Uncovered in Online Self-exclusion Scheme

Are You At Risk From Online Gambling?

Is Self-Excluding from online Gambling the right choice for me?

12 Practical Tips For Problem Gamblers

When Collecting Feels Like Gambling

What Fire Teaches Us About Gambling

Protect ALL Of Your Devices

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