An Impressive New Joint Effort Empowers UK Problem Gamblers through TalkBanStop
Published December 22, 2020 by Lee R
Gamcare, Gamban, and Gamstop are integrating their unique complementary protections to support UK's problem gamblers.
A new diversified and enhanced partnership has been formed by technology suppliers to support problem gamblers in their battle against addiction and related problems in time for the holiday season.
Three Partners
For Christmas, and lasting into 2021 and beyond, Great Britain's leading provider of support for problem gambling GamCare; leading gambling website blocking technology provider Gamban; and Gamstop, a leading gambling self-exclusion service providing controls to players to restrict their own activity have come together in a partnership aimed at helping people who suffer from gambling harm.
The Program
The 12-month pilot scheme is named TalkBanStop based on its three steps; and is launching from 17 December by offering three free tools to empower the vulnerable to stop gambling.
Program Tools
The tools will be delivered via support from GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline; Gamban’s gambling blocking software and Gamstop’s self-exclusion scheme.
Talk
The first key step Talk consists of support and treatment via GamCare’s helpline.
Ban
Ban offers Gamban’s top blocking software free to anyone contacting the helpline.
Stop
Stop enables players to sign on to exclude themselves from accessing or creating accounts with all UK operators.
Heightened Urgency
The urgency of the campaign has spiked as a result of the increase in problem gambling risks associated with the first lockdowns last March.
Data-based Evaluations
The project will be progressively re-evaluated for evidence-based data by market research company Ipsos MORI.
Gamcare Leader Speaks
GamCare CEO Anna Hemmings said the year's economic challenges make this Christmas a difficult time for those struggling to stop gambling. She said TalkBanStop sends a message of hope to “those who are struggling with gambling but don’t know how to start their recovery journey, by providing free tools and support that give breathing space to reflect on what’s going on.”
UKGC CEO Speaks
UKGC CEO Neil McArthur confirmed his organisation was “happy to approve funding of the blocking software pilot and evaluation element of this work through the distribution of regulatory settlement money to properly identify what works.”
Outlook
In striking at the deepest roots of the well-known gambling problems which the powers that be are intent on eradicating in the UK, the comprehensive TalkBanStop project appears a golden opportunity for problem gamblers' self-empowerment.
