A newly translated app from the U.K. called Gamban is being introduced in Japan to help combat gambling addiction by blocking access to online gambling sites.
This comes in response to a report from Japan’s National Police Agency, which estimates that around 3.37 million Japanese have engaged with online casinos, even though such betting is illegal in the country, The Japan Times reported.
The Gamban app, now available for Japanese users, restricts access to over 360,000 gambling websites and apps, with around 300 new entries added daily.
The app not only blocks these sites but also tracks the time and money saved by users who refrain from gambling. However, co-founder Matt Zarb-Cousin acknowledged that making the software difficult to remove is a challenge since some individuals may try to circumvent it.
In Japan, the Society Concerned About Gambling Addiction, a nonprofit organization, covers the app’s annual fee for users unable to afford the £25 ($33.7) charge.
So far, around 90 individuals have signed up through this organization. Noriko Tanaka, the group’s head and a recovering addict, believes the app is effective in preventing gambling harm, although funding limitations restrict its broader availability.
While a recent update to gambling laws in Japan bans online casinos and their advertisement, enforcement remains weak, especially against foreign-operated sites targeting Japanese users. Despite the NPA’s ability to request the removal of content from internet providers and social media, most operators are based in countries where online gambling is legal.
The report highlighted the risks facing young people, revealing incidents involving minors gambling online and even cases of police misconduct linked to online betting.
