Dutch Gambling Authority Partners with Gamban for Enhanced Player Protection
The Dutch Gambling Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has launched a pilot with Gamban to offer Dutch players a full gambling-blocking solution. This will help to protect against gambling harm and unregulated gambling.
Free Gamban Subscriptions for Dutch Players
As part of the pilot, Dutch players can get a free 1 year subscription to Gamban by contacting Loket Kansspel, the national gambling support service. Available through website, WhatsApp, email or phone, the program makes it easy to get the software which blocks all online gambling websites and apps.
A Dutch version of the Gamban app will be released to cater to the local market, with a self-exclusion tool that works on all devices and operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.
Nathalie Smit, Director at Loket Kansspel said: “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 behavior. We are excited to provide people with free access to gambling-blocking software.”
Problem Gambling
The pilot builds on Gamban’s existing partnerships with gambling operators in Norway, Finland and the US where similar programs have been rolled out. In addition to individual support Gamban will help the KSA to identify unlicensed gambling sites as part of a broader effort to combat illegal gambling.
Thomas Borghols, Addiction Prevention Fund Adviser at the KSA said: “At present, the KSA offers players struggling with their gambling behavior the option to self-exclude through Cruks. When used together, Cruks and Gamban provide players with a pathway to 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 seeking independent, judgment-free conversations about the gambling issues they face.”
Evaluation of the Dutch Remote Gambling Act
The pilot follows the WODC Report presented to the Dutch Parliament which evaluated the Remote Gambling Act (KOA) since its introduction in October 2021. The report highlighted gaps in player protection especially for high-risk players who use multiple gambling platforms to circumvent restrictions.
The KSA has been asked to improve its coordination with addiction specialists and gambling operators to tackle problem gambling. Working with Gamban fits with this recommendation by layering self-exclusion and gambling-blocking software to create more barriers for high-risk players.
Technology-Driven Safeguards
Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder of Gamban highlighted: “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 blocking software with self-exclusion ensures that devices cannot access gambling sites and apps, whether regulated or unregulated.”
He added: “These layers of friction give individuals a chance to pause between urge and action. During this time, they can either ride out their urge or reconsider before acting on temptation. 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 using Gamban, they can do that.”
