Following a survey by Ipsos Mori, GamCare has maintained confidence in its collaboration  and ‘common shared vision’ with Gamban and GAMSTOP revolving around the TalkBanStop initiative.

According to Ipsos Mori’s research, people who have made use of all three layers of the provided support have gambled less and as a result experienced a reduction in gambling-related harms, in particular with regards to finance and relationships.

The survey also found that awareness of the campaign among ‘people who need it most’ has increased, in particular knowledge of the free tools and support available – these tools were highlighted by respondents as ‘big obstacles’ to accessing betting and gaming websites, contributing to a change in perception and ‘a positive state of mind’.

Additionally, GamCare has praised the effectiveness of the advisors on its National Gambling Helpline in promoting Gamban and GAMSTOP, providing ‘clear information’ on the pilot’s tools and helping callers understand the benefits of a layered approach.

Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive at GamCare, commented on the results: “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.”

Launched in the spring of 2021, TalkBanStop is a 12 month pilot campaign promoting the use of the Gamban’s free tools to control their gambling spend, GamCare’s support services providing professional advice around gambling related harm and signposting to register for the free GAMSTOP self-exclusion scheme.

The campaign was subsequently relaunched in June ahead of the UEFA 2020 European Championship, with former professional footballer and third most capped England player of all time Karen Carney MBE fronting the initiative to assist with raising awareness.