Key points:
- KSA will fund pilot for Gamban’s services
- People can access this one-year subscription through Loket Kansspel
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has agreed to fund a pilot for Gamban to provide its services free of charge for a whole year.
Gamban’s software helps those suffering from gambling-related harm by blocking access to gambling websites and apps across all of a person’s devices.
Through this agreement with the KSA, those in the Netherlands can take advantage of a one-year free Gamban subscription by contacting the national support service in the county, Loket Kansspel. Also, Gamban will help the KSA in detecting unregulated sites in the Netherlands.
Similar partnerships have been agreed by Gamban before within a host of other regions, including Norway, Finland and Ohio.
KSA Addiction Prevention Fund Adviser Thomas Borghols 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.”
Good to know: At the start of the year, Gamban earned platinum accreditation from Investors in People
Gamban Co-Founder Matt Zarb-Cousin 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.”
Loket Kansspel Director Nathalie Smit 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.”
Also, this month, the KSA has reprimanded three providers for incidents involving improper advertising and targeting of vulnerable groups, while more recently it imposed a penalty on Alimaniere Sociedad Responsabilidad for offering unlicensed online gambling services to Dutch players.
