UK’s Gamban partners with KSA to offer gambling blocking software

By Charlie Dear

UK online gambling blocking app Gamban have moved to team up with Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) to fund a pilot project for players in the Netherlands.

Operating since 2015, Gamban already work with major brands such as Flutter, Bally’s and Kindred to support their responsible gambling services and have now teamed up with the biggest regulator in the Netherlands.

Gamban is recognised as one of the most comprehensive gambling self-exclusion solutions in the UK, crucially compatible across all devices and operating systems (Windows, Mac, iOS and Android). The service that offers full, unlimited protection across all your devices is already free to all UK residents through its existing ties with TalkBanStop which combines practical tools with gambling support. 

The Dutch pilot builds on similar collaborations with Norway’s state-owned lottery and gaming operator Norsk Tipping, Finland’s monopoly operator Veikkaus and Sweden’s Svenska Spel. Gamban will also assist the KSA in finding unregulated gambling sites as part of a renewed effort to tackle illegal gambling. 

Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder of Gamban, commented: “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 blocking software with self-exclusion ensures that devices cannot access gambling sites and apps, whether regulated or unregulated.

“We always recommend using additional barriers alongside gambling-blocking software, such as self-exclusion. These layers of friction give individuals a chance to pause between urge and action. During this time, they can either ride out their urge or reconsider 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 using Gamban, they can do that.”

Thomas Borghols, Addiction Prevention Fund Adviser at the KSA, stated: “At present, the KSA offers players struggling with their gambling behaviour the option to self-exclude through Cruks. When used together, Cruks and Gamban provide players with a pathway to 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 seeking independent, judgment-free conversations about the gambling issues they face.”