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The Michigan Gaming Control Board is expanding its partnership with gambling-blocking software provider Gamban after seeing strong early demand from residents seeking responsible gambling tools.
The MGCB announced Thursday it purchased an additional 100 free Gamban licenses after more than 80 of the original 100 licenses were claimed within the first two weeks of the program’s launch in April.
Gamban software blocks access to online gambling websites and apps across major devices and operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows and macOS. The software also covers unlimited household devices under a single license.
“The response from Michigan residents in the first two weeks of this program exceeded our expectations and speaks to a genuine need in our communities,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said in a press release.
“We acted quickly to secure an additional 100 licenses so that no resident seeking this kind of support is turned away.”
Program expands responsible gaming efforts
Michigan first announced its partnership with Gamban in April as part of a broader responsible gaming initiative. The free licenses are available to any Michigan resident without requiring enrollment in the state’s self-exclusion program.
The MGCB said removing the cost barrier was a key part of the initiative, allowing residents to access gambling-blocking technology free of charge for periods ranging from one to five years.
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, approximately 2% of Americans — or about six million people — meet the criteria for gambling addiction.
Michigan’s online gambling market launched in January 2021 and has since become one of the nation’s largest regulated iGaming markets. Michigan online casinos and Michigan sportsbooks continue to generate record monthly revenue totals for operators and the state.
Gamban blocks regulated and offshore gambling sites
Unlike traditional self-exclusion tools that focus on licensed operators, Gamban blocks access to all online gambling content regardless of regulatory status.
That includes iGaming, sports wagering apps, poker sites, social casinos, crypto gambling platforms and NFT-based wagering sites, according to the MGCB.
“The strong response to this program tells us that residents want accessible, device-level support — and we intend to keep delivering it,” Williams said. “These additional licenses mean more Michigan residents can take back control, free of charge.”
The Gamban partnership is one piece of Michigan’s larger responsible gaming strategy, which also includes the Responsible Gaming Database for online self-exclusion, the Disassociated Persons List for Detroit casinos and the state’s “Don’t Regret the Bet” awareness campaign.
Michigan residents can claim a free Gamban license through the MGCB’s responsible gaming webpage.
