SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The Vulnerability Registration Service (VRS), an independent vulnerable people registry, has entered into a partnership with Gamban to promote the latter’s safer gambling software to individuals who register with VRS.
VRS aims to “help flag vulnerable individuals to companies to help keep them safe” and those who register for their services can do so to “make people aware of their circumstances, or they can opt to be declined financial or related services for a period of time”.
Helen Lord, CEO of VRS, said: “Those experiencing financial vulnerability have very often experienced gambling harm. That is why it is so important that services like the VRS and Gamban work together to ensure that people presenting to either of us are signposted to any additional support they need.”
The VRS software will be promoted through TalkBanStop – a collaborative gambling harm prevention initiative formed in 2020 by Gamban and the non-profit self-exclusion scheme GAMSTOP.
Gamban also has a partnership in place with Norway’s state-owned national lottery, Norsk Tipping, as well as with Finland’s national operator Veikkaus.
Matt Zarb-Cousin, Co-Founder of Gamban, added: “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.
“Layering up blocking software with self-exclusion ensures that devices are unable to access gambling sites and apps, whether regulated or unregulated. This approach to gambling harm reduction is now utilised across the world and we’re delighted to be partnering with VRS to raise awareness of the free tools and support available in the UK.
“We always recommend using other barriers in addition to gambling-blocking software, such as self-exclusion. The friction these offer gives 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.”
