Triple-Lock Approach Cuts Gambling Harm, New Report Says

The June evaluation report from TalkBanStop (TBS) revealed that a layered journey helps people more effectively tackle the negative consequences of gambling. This model involves dedicated technologies, human support, and self-exclusion. It’s the core principle of TBS, a strategic partnership of GAMSTOP, GamCare, and Gamban. The latest report offers vital data for further consumer protection from gaming harms.

Key Takeaways

• 68% of the 1,263 British adults who participated in the study said that the combination of methods made it much easier to cease gambling activity.
• Almost 55% of respondents reported that the combination of tech solutions and expert guidance helps them to adopt healthier behaviour.
• People’s awareness of the TBS partnership and individual services has grown from 29% in 2021 to 32% in 2026.
• Many people perceive TalkBanStop as a single-model counselling service, while only 1 of 5 participants understands the elements of the three-part partnership.
• Users aged 19-29 use blocking software as first aid, while other categories follow the helpline-first path.

How the Three-Lock Approach Boosts Recovery

TBS model addresses gambling problems from multiple sides: it combines blocking tools, human support, and self-exclusion. The research showed that such a layered approach is the most effective for people suffering from negative gambling impacts.

Almost 70% of individuals reported that multiple tools have made it much easier for them to reduce their activity. The remaining portion of respondents said it helped facilitate the process a bit. It means that the combination of dedicated software and adviser guidance works better than each tool separately.

This approach works in two directions:

• Short-term barriers. GAMSTOP and Gamban immediately block one’s access to iGaming platforms. This increases the time the player looks for a way to bypass the restriction. So, they minimise the chance of making snap, impulsive decisions.
• Long-term prevention. The ongoing human intervention, helpline support, therapeutic treatments, and some community features are forward-looking. These are effective for emotional regulation and cognitive reframing, which change the harmful gambling behaviour.

Inside the Research Architecture

For the evaluation report, the TalkBanStop team used a mixed-methods framework. The results were compiled and organised by Kantar Group, a leading market data company. Take a look at the sources of information behind the study:

• Kantar Omnibus online survey with 1,643 participants from the UK.
• Gamban user poll among 1,767 active users of the company’s blocking software.
• Kantar Live, a study of a focus group with 55 people who have already interacted with TBS partnership solutions.
• Monitoring data from partners like Gamban registrations, outcomes of calls to the National Gambling Helpline (NGH), and marketing metrics.

There’s No “Wrong Door” in TBS

TalkBanStop doesn’t follow a single user-journey template. Most of the respondents, though, followed the helpline-first journey: they called the NGH, which acts as an adviser and then guides users to GamStop and Gamban.

But younger generations turned out to be tech-savvy: individuals aged 19 to 29 preferred to restrict access to sites before starting self-exclusion. The data provided by Gamban shows that gamblers prefer a mixed approach: almost 81.2% of users combine blocking software with GAMSTOP, 37.2% of whom later get GamCare assistance.

Overall, the evaluation showed that the TalkBanStop approach is effective regardless of the entry point. It meets requesters and guides them to healthy gambling, no matter where they are. 

Loopholes and Barriers to Successful Recovery

The report also sheds light on challenges and workarounds that may decrease the effectiveness of recovery:

• Users could access offshore gambling sites with crypto payments.
• Long identity verification checks for self-exclusion and complex setup processes of blocking software caused a drop-off.
• Some people weren’t mentally ready to get help when it happened and thus felt sceptical about the effectiveness of tools.

Despite overall effectiveness, the triple lock model still needs improvement. The partners need to move away from the generic messaging and focus on easy-to-understand marketing campaigns. These aim to help users understand how the TalkBanStop model actually works and why it’s crucial for recovery.

It’s also necessary to develop pathways for different categories of people, covering the tech-savvy individuals and those who feel the stigma of gambling harm. Although some gaps and workarounds exist, the TBS partnership still delivers value to UK punters, successfully reducing the negative effects of gambling.