TalkBanStop announces one-year extension

TalkBanStop, a collaborative partnership between gambling support services GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP, has successfully secured a funding boost that will extend the programme into March 2023. The non-profit service, which provides free tools and support for people who struggle with their gambling habits, was initially launched as a 12-month pilot, but has received additional funding from a regulatory settlement approved by the Gambling Commission. Since the partnership launched, TalkBanStop has contributed to over 7,000 registrations of Gamban’s blocking software, and the new funds will be allocated towards the provision of further free blocking software licences and increased marketing of the free practical tools and support that is available. TalkBanStop provides a three-tiered service to players that offers personal support via GamCare’s trained advisors, free access to Gamban blocking software and signposting to the GAMSTOP self-exclusion scheme. According to early research on the partnership conducted by market research firm Ipsos Mori last year, people who made use of all three of these tools reported a reduction of gambling-related harms. Speaking on their experiences using TalkBanStop, one participant in Ipsos Mori’s case study said: “The fact that I’ve used [GAMSTOP] with the blocking software and the counselling has given me three big pillars to stand on. I can’t [gamble] on my phone anyway, and I’m getting it in my mindset through the counselling that I don’t want to do it and that I’m changing my behaviours towards it.” Commenting on the partnership’s extension, Anna Hemmings, chief executive at GamCare, added: “We have heard from people supported by TalkBanStop how the impact of our interventions, layered together, can amplify the impact for their recovery. That’s why it’s important there is no break in the free availability of all three layers of support. “Going forward, we are looking to continue building on the successes of the past year and work towards our shared aspiration of reducing gambling-related harms.” Following the one-year extension, the three organisations have also announced they will be looking to secure further long-term funding for the partnership in future.