This report was prepared on behalf of GamCare to assess the effectiveness of TalkBanStop (TBS), a partnership between GamCare, Gamban, and GAMSTOP. TBS was designed to provide a layered approach to addressing gambling harms in Great Britain, combining emotional support, gambling blocking tools, and self-exclusion.
The researchers adopted a mixed-methods approach, using data collected from a national omnibus survey of 1,263 adults, a survey of 1,767 Gamban users, and a qualitative group session with 55 people who had used TBS. Overall, it was found that awareness of the program was quite high and had increased over time since its launch. Users reported better outcomes when they had engaged with multiple components of the TBS program compared to using only one service.
The evaluation also identified a number of ways to improve the program, including strengthening the transitions between services, reducing barriers to access, having a more consistent entry process while maintaining the ‘no wrong door’ approach, improving understanding of the program and follow-up support, and tailoring services to the needs of specific groups of people.
