Gamban, a software solution and a firm that has focused on allowing casino players to self-exclude from online websites and apps, has announced that it has translated the product into Japanese, helping players in the Land of the Rising Sun to monitor and control their gambling habits.
Gamban now available in Japanese, part of a local collaboration
Online casinos are not legal in Japan, and the country has now been conducting campaigns trying to raise awareness for that, as well as arresting prominent personalities, such as sports figures and even news anchors, demonstrating that nobody is above the law.
Rather than focus on this, Gamban has chosen to develop a faithful companion that is based on lived experiences and developed in collaboration with people who understand how gambling harm works.
The latest translation of the software was achieved with the help of The Society Concerned About Gambling Addiction, an organization that understands how Japanese society works and has been specifically working to tailor the resulting product to appeal to Japanese consumers and make it easier to navigate for such people.
Commenting on the launch of the new translated version, Gamban Co-Founder Matt-Zarb Cousin said: "We are committed to not only translating but also localizing Gamban so it looks and feels familiar to people, wherever they might be. Our mission is not only to make blocking software as good as it can be, but also as accessible as possible."
Zarb-Cousin was joined by Noriko Tanaka, Representative of the Society Concerned About Gambling Addiction, who said that the organization expected the software to help more people who struggle with addiction to get better.
Players need to be able to protect themselves and their families
Both Gamban and the Society insist that there has been an increase in the availability of online casinos, which has led to real harm to people and families. What’s more, many people do not understand that online casinos are not legal – 40% believe that online casinos are, in fact, regulated and legitimate gaming options online for Japanese customers.
Gamban also argues that 60% of people who gamble report some sign of compulsive behavior or gambling-related harm.
"By making Gamban available in Japanese, we hope to offer more people a practical, stigma-free first step, helping people block gambling sites before the harm gets worse and giving them space to seek support and begin recovery," Gamban wrapped up in a statement.
