The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has disclosed that it has seen “extraordinary” demand for gambling blocking software from players after partnering with responsible gaming provider Gamban last month.
The Great Lakes State’s gambling regulator said 80 of the initial 100 free licences supplied by Gamban were taken within the first two weeks of the partnership beginning in April. In response to this high uptake, the MGCB has subsequently purchased an additional 100 free licences for Michigan residents.
Device-Level Safeguards Exceed Expectations
The specialized software allows Michigan residents to block gambling sites across all personal devices for between one and five years, completely eliminating the need to sign up for a traditional, state-managed self-exclusion register.
Henry Williams, Executive Director of the MGCB, highlighted that the rapid response speaks directly to a genuine need for accessible harm-prevention tools such as Gamban within local communities:
“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. We acted quickly to secure an additional 100 licences so that no resident seeking this kind of support is turned away. Michigan is committed to ensuring that the expansion of legal gaming comes with the strongest possible safeguards for the people we serve.”
Williams further emphasized the board’s intent to keep delivering frictionless, free-of-charge support options directly to residents’ devices:
“The strong response to this program tells us that residents want accessible, device-level support – and we intend to keep delivering it. These additional licences mean more Michigan residents can take back control, free of charge.”
Targeting Underage Gambling via Educational Initiatives
The strong uptake of Gamban’s services in Michigan arrives on the heels of a wide-reaching MGCB campaign explicitly targeting underage gambling structures. Titled “Don’t Bet on Your Future,” the initiative expands the regulator’s established Don’t Regret the Bet platform, introducing tailored resources for youth, school administrators, and families.
Williams concluded by noting that education remains the primary cornerstone required to protect the next generation before they ever place a real-money wager:
“Don’t Bet on Your Future is about building a statewide community of education and prevention – one that runs through our schools, our coaches, our parents and our neighbourhoods. We are committed to ensuring the next generation understands the real risks of gambling before they ever place a bet.”
