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National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms

Launch of nation-wide partnership between GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP. Gamban blocking software provision via Gamcare via the National Gambling Helpline and treatment services. GAMSTOP and merchant code blocking will also be cross promoted as part of the scheme. (GamCare)

Updates

May 2022

Since the project began in December 2020 it has provided over 9500 free blocking software licenses to service users and reached 18 million people via targeted media campaigns. The programme was evaluated by Ipsos whose final report strongly supported the value of layering tools to protect against harms, with users reporting improvements in their financial situation, improved relationships, enhanced performance at work, a stronger sense of overall wellbeing - including better levels of sleep.The final year evaluation webinar attracted over 80 attendees with representation across the gambling support space, major UK gambling businesses, key financial organisations and academic institutions. The programme secured a further year's funding in December 2021 and will run until March 2023.

October 2021

Since launching, TalkBanStop has given away 6086 free Gamban licenses with all three organisations seeing an increase in the uptake of their services compared to last year. We led another successful marketing campaign between 28th June -1st August 2021 which had an aggregate reach of around 6 million, produced 32 pieces of press coverage and as a result we tracked 3648 contacts to the National gambling helpline. In October we received our interim evaluation from Ipsos Mori which highlighted how successful the collaboration between the three organisations has been and underlined the value of layering tools, as well as recommendations which we aim to review and implement going into 2022. We have delivered two webinars to present the findings from the interim evaluation alongside Ipsos Mori and these sessions were well attended by operators, treatment practitioners, and other organisations in the sector.

April 2021

May 2021

Since launching, TalkBanStop has given away 2448 free Gamban licenses with all three organisations seeing an increase in the uptake of their services as the pilot has progressed. We led a successful campaign in December to raise awareness of the free tools and support which generated 204 pieces of media coverage, reaching over five million people. The campaign focussed on people with lived experience of gambling, along with ex-professional footballer - Michael Chopra – sharing his experiences, too. Looking further ahead to the Summer, we are in the planning stages for another burst of activity with Gamban and GAMSTOP, targeting sports fans over the course of this summer’s Euros.

November 2020

GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP have launched a partnership to integrate support and tools that create barriers to access for gamblers. It includes free national provision of blocking software produced by Gamban available via the National Gambling Helpline and gambling treatment services. This programme scales up a previous pilot with Gamban. The partnership with GAMSTOP will help ensure that self-excluded individuals are encouraged to use additional tools such as Gamban and access support via the National Gambling Helpline.

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