An independent evaluation into UK gambling harm charities found that a combination of support systems works “significantly better” than a single intervention strategy.
The study was conducted by Kantar and focused on the TalkBanStop partnership between GamCare, Gamban and Gamstop.
The partnership encouraged a multi-layered approach of emotional support, self-exclusion and blocking tools used together.
Victoria Corbishley, GamCare CEO, commented: “This evaluation provides clear evidence that a layered approach to gambling harm, combining emotional support, blocking tools and formal self-exclusion, produces meaningfully stronger outcomes than any single intervention alone.
“When people can access all three layers of protection, barriers to relapse become significantly harder to overcome.”
Kantar drew on four sources for the study: a survey of 1,200 adults, an online qualitative session with 55 people who had used the layered model, a survey of nearly 1,800 Gamban users, and operational monitoring data from across the partnership.
A total of 68% of people said that using more than one support system made it “much easier” to reduce their gambling, while 54% strongly agreed that using practical tools alongside human support changed their behaviour.
Jack Symons, Gamban CEO, commented: “This evaluation confirms what we saw throughout TalkBanStop: blocking software is even more powerful when it’s part of something bigger.
“Gamban restricts access at the moment it matters most, but it’s the layering of effective tools and support that helps people turn a positive decision to quit into lasting change.
“The evidence for that is now clear, which makes it all the more important that this partnership’s success is retained and built on.”
The study also found that people entered the multi-layered approach during different stages of their journey, highlighting how every individual approaches gambling harm support differently.
Fiona Palmer, Gamstop CEO, commented: “We are pleased that this evaluation provides clear evidence that a layered approach significantly increases the likelihood of individuals changing their gambling behaviour.
“We will continue to advocate for this approach by signposting our more than 700,000 registrants to a range of tools and support services that can be used alongside Gamstop self-exclusion.
“The TalkBanStop partnership demonstrates how collaboration among service providers committed to reducing gambling-related harm can deliver stronger outcomes for those who need support.”
GamCare also recently revealed that the number of people reaching out to the National Gambling Helpline for issues regarding online gambling has hit a five-year high.
The TalkBanStop partnership formally concluded in March 2026 as gambling harm services transition to statutory levy commissioning
