Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Gambling Authority of the Netherlands, has agreed to fund a pilot project to make Gamban’s blocking software available to players in the Netherlands.
Anyone in the Netherlands can obtain a free one-year Gamban subscription by contacting Loket Kansspel, the country’s national gambling support service.
Users will then gain access to the recently released Dutch version of the app, which blocks access to all online gambling websites and apps across all their devices.
Gamban will also assist the Dutch regulator in detecting unregulated gambling sites as part of the KSA’s renewed efforts to clamp down on the black market.
“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,” said Thomas Borghois, the KSA’s addiction prevention fund advisor.
“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.”
Nathalie Smit, director at Loket Kansspel, commented: “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.”
Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder of Gamban, added: “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.
“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.”
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