Time Out Ohio (TOO), the responsible gambling arm of the Ohio Lottery, launched free software to help people who are struggling with gambling addiction. Powered by UK-based tech company Gamban, the award-winning software enables users across the state to block online and mobile gambling sites and apps across all their devices and platforms.
TOO already offers people the option to ban themselves from land-based casinos for a year, five years, or a lifetime. But the latest initiative makes Ohio the first state in the country to offer free software to block digital gambling.
Currently, a person in Ohio who bans himself from a brick-and-mortar gambling facility will have to forfeit any gambling chips, vouchers or tickets and will be escorted out of the casino. If they return while the ban is still in effect, they will face criminal trespassing charges.
The Gamban software works in the virtual space, where the person who wishes to opt-out and block gambling sites will enter their personal details and the information of all their computer and mobile devices.
The software will block access to gambling sites from all devices based on a dynamic list containing more than 80,000 gambling sites worldwide and is constantly updated. Currently, Gamban offers a one-year block. However, the software doesn’t block sports info platforms and gambling advertising.
Amanda Blackford, Director of Operations and Responsible Gaming at the Ohio Lottery Commission said: “We view Gamban as an essential tool for those who struggle with gambling online. Time Out is a tool for legal-based blocking, but Gamban protects individuals from the illegal market as well and those beyond the Commissions’ authority.”
In an interview with Cleveland19 news channel, Matt-Zarb Cousin, co-founder of Gamban, explained that “online sports betting has removed any friction that once existed between an individual and the opportunity to place a bet…Gambet puts some friction back in the process,” he added that “[the software] is designed to be difficult to remove as operating systems allow.”
Cousin revealed that the company has already signed 84 people in Ohio since it launched and that the system is expected to be rolled out in more states soon. “Online gambling, generally, is better that it’s legalized and regulated. I think the way Ohio has done it is commendable,” he added.
