It is common knowledge that gambling is a fun and entertaining activity for a lot of people. But to some others, gambling could cause great harm to their mental and financial well-being. All addictions are very hard to conquer, with that of gambling fueled by widespread access to the internet.
For many gamblers, winning the fight against gambling addiction was possible through a combination of different solutions. A good number of people even had to exhaust all options open to them, yet no positive result was recorded. Typical solutions include seeking professional counseling, registering with a therapy class, rehabilitation, debit, and credit cards deactivation, among others.
Gamban commenced operations in 2016 to help problem gamblers scale through addiction. It is a software that allows consumers to block access to gambling sites and apps on Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices.
Gamban is bringing this feature to Kenya, considering the staggering surge of gambling issues and the lack of a system to combat them. The rise has been recently ascribed to the nonchalant approach of gambling operators to responsible gambling. Gamban also has plans of launching its service in other African countries with a sizable gambling population.
Kenya has one of the biggest gambling markets in Africa, as a good number of the world’s best gambling companies operate in the country. Geopoll conducted a survey in 2018, which revealed that Kenya leads the Sub-Sahara in respect of young gamblers aged 17 to 35 years. The internet has been a key factor in this spike in Kenya.
A Step in the Right Direction
Gamban’s product is a mental health solution that helps problem gamblers fight their issues irrespective of where they are. It typically allows them to restrict their visit to gambling sites and platforms. The firm has created a landing page for Kenyans to have access to Gamban’s services. To make this possible, a free 1-week trial is offered to such players.
The Responsible Gaming Federation of Kenya under the administration of Mr. Weldon Koros has partnered with Gamban. They work to lay proper foundations to reduce the negative social impact of gambling, whilst helping players scale through successfully.
Meanwhile, gambling operators claim to have contributed immensely to the growth of the economy through foreign direct investments and job creation. However, they have failed to pay attention and react against the social and mental effects of their business on gamblers.
A 2017 survey by KARF revealed that the operators engage in marketing that suggests gambling as a sure way to riches. They present gambling as an extra layer of income that can help improve their finances. Such campaigns are misleading and capable of resulting in irresponsible gambling.
Leading the Fight for Responsible Gambling
In all jurisdictions where gambling is a big business, responsible gambling is an even bigger business. This is because the well-being of all gamblers is as important to the regulators as revenues and employment creation. Without responsible gambling, the industry is basically running on a very dangerous fuel that might come back to harm it.
It is for this reason that Gamban has struck its partnership with Kenya’s Responsible Gaming Federation. With Gamban leading this fight, it could pave the way for operators to start taking responsible gambling much more seriously. It will also bring this fight to the player, making it possible to be achieved.
