GamCare, Gamban and GamStop laud TalkBanStop campaign

The responsible gambling charities say the campaign has already had a positive effect on reducing gambling harm in the UK.

UK.- The responsible gambling charities GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP have announced that their joint TalkBanStop campaign launched in March has already had a positive effect.

The 12-month pilot project aimed to offer support to people suffering from gambling harm. It combines the personal support offered by GamCare’s trained advisers with free access to Gamban blocking software and encouragement to register for the GAMSTOP free self-exclusion scheme.

A study conducted by market research company Ipsos Mori has found that those who used all three layers of the campaign reported a lower desire to gamble and a reduction in gambling harm. The study also found that awareness of the campaign had increased among people who most needed it, particularly among those with problematic gambling.

Ipsos Mori reported that the project’s layered approach helped provide a positive state of mind for people that wanted to stop gambling, with the option of multiple tools changing perceptions about accessing gambling sites.

GamCare chief executive Anna Hemmings said: “Since the TalkBanStop campaign started there has been huge value in the collaboration of the three partners, all of which have a shared aspiration in reducing gambling harms.

“What we’ve seen through the pilot is the ability to share best-practice with one another and provide the tools and support to make it as easy as possible for people to get help in one place.

“We believe the impact of our interventions, layered together, amplifies the effects of the others for the individual in recovery, just as our coming together as organisations has multiplied our efforts to achieve greater impact. Going forward, we want TalkBanStop to become normalised as a first port of call for anyone looking to stop or control their gambling.”

Meanwhile, GAMSTOP has agreed a new partnership with the English Championship football club Queens Park Rangers. The club will raise awareness of GamStop’s tools and resources via matchday and programme advertising space and the sharing of GAMSTOP animations and information on the club’s social channels and the website.

Club and QPR in the Community staff will receive training on the GAMSTOP platform to allow them to offer help and advice to fans.

This month, GAMSTOP named Buzz Bingo compliance officer Simon Reynolds as a non-executive director. The provider has reported a 25 per cent increase in registrations for its blocking tool.