One year of free protection with Ksa and Gamban
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24 Nov 2024 •
Reading time: 3 minutes The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), the Dutch gaming authority, recently announced a new partnership with Gamban, a leading software for blocking gambling sites. This pilot program aims to provide one year of free Gamban subscription to anyone looking to fight their addiction or protect themselves from the risks associated with online gambling.
An initiative to protect vulnerable players
The objective of this partnership is twofold: to strengthen the security of players by allowing them to block access to gambling platforms, whether legal or illegal, and to offer an additional tool to support the withdrawal process. Nathalie Smit, director of Loket Kansspel, the support service for players in distress, emphasizes:
“We believe that regaining control of your digital environment is essential to free yourself from gambling addiction. By collaborating with Gamban, we enable individuals to better manage their behavior.”
Free subscriptions are accessible via several channels, including the Loket Kansspel website, WhatsApp, email and telephone. A Dutch version of the software has also been developed, making it easier for local players to use.
A combined approach with Cruks
In addition to Gamban, players can already register with Cruks (Central Exclusion Register), a database that prevents access to legal gambling establishments and online platforms authorized in the Netherlands. Gamban fills the gaps in Cruks by also blocking access to illegal gambling sites.
“Together, these tools offer players a real prospect of recovery.” Thomas Borghols, advisor to the Ksa addiction prevention fund
A fight against unregulated operators
In addition to individual support, this partnership also has a regulatory dimension. Gamban works with Ksa to identify and block unregulated gambling sites that fall outside the Dutch legal framework. This component is essential in a context where studies, such as that of the WODC (Research Centre for Justice and Security), have highlighted the inadequacies of the current resources of the KSA to effectively protect the players most at risk.
An internationally inspired model
This collaboration is not unprecedented at the international level. Similar initiatives have been set up in Norway with Norsk Tipping and in Finland via Veikkaus, where Gamban is also offered free of charge. Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder of Gamban, insists on the importance of additional layers of protection.
“In a world where the lure of instant gratification through digital activity is increasingly tempting, we want to help people regain control and balance, and thanks to Gamban, they can do so.”
A commitment to increased responsibility
Since the opening of the Dutch online gaming market in 2021, with the implementation of the Remote Gaming Act (KOA), the Ksa has faced significant challenges in regulating this rapidly expanding sector. This partnership with Gamban marks a major step in deepening social responsibility, with a particular focus on risk prevention.
With this free offer and complementary tools, the Netherlands is showing a clear desire to place the well-being of players at the heart of its concerns.