The Collector's Compass #30: How Gamban Is Helping Protect The Hobby With Matt Zarb-Cousin скачать в хорошем качестве

The Collector's Compass #30: How Gamban Is Helping Protect The Hobby With Matt Zarb-Cousin

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, Alyx sits down with Matt Zarb-Cousin, Co-Founder of Gamban, for a timely conversation about why willpower alone isn’t enough in today’s fast, always-on digital environments—and why blocking gambling-adjacent platforms has become essential not just for gamblers, but for anyone navigating high-risk spending ecosystems. Matt founded Gamban over a decade ago after seeing firsthand how online gambling was evolving faster than protections could keep up. What started as a tool to block traditional gambling sites has since become something much broader: a critical layer of defense against digital environments designed to remove friction, normalize escalation, and keep people engaged long past the point of choice. Together, Alyx and Matt explore how the internet has fundamentally changed behavior—not just in gambling, but across collecting, flipping, trading, and other speculative or chance-driven verticals. They unpack why it’s the mechanics, not the labels, that matter. Randomized outcomes, intermittent rewards, social pressure, 24/7 access, and “one more” loops don’t stop being risky just because they live inside a hobby or marketplace instead of a casino. A central focus of the conversation is how gambling-adjacent platforms show up in modern collecting—from live breaking apps to high-velocity marketplaces—and why Gamban now plays a role in helping people step away from environments that quietly mirror gambling behavior. Matt shares his perspective from years of working in harm prevention, explaining why friction is compassionate, why access changes behavior more than intent, and why blocking tools give people space to reset before a slip turns into a spiral. The episode also dives into Collectors MD's partnership with Gamban as well as their multi-layered approach to recovery: device-wide blocking, removal friction, progress tracking, and pairing technology with additional layers like self-exclusion, banking tools, and support. Alyx and Matt discuss why tools don’t replace accountability—they support it—and how creating distance from triggers can restore clarity, agency, and control. Throughout the conversation, one theme remains consistent: this isn’t about canceling hobbies, banning platforms, or telling people what they can’t do. It’s about protecting people in systems that weren’t built with their well-being in mind. Topics covered include: –Why gambling-shaped design now exists far beyond casinos –How collecting, trading, and speculative spending can quietly cross into risk –Why friction saves lives in high-dopamine environments –The difference between shame-based messaging and supportive guardrails –How blocking tools help people regain control without judgment Rather than framing the hobby—or the internet—as broken, this episode focuses on what actually helps: awareness, structure, and proactive protection. Because better systems don’t remove freedom—they make healthier choices possible. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by spending, stuck in “one more” cycles, or unsure whether the platforms you’re using are helping or hurting you, this conversation will resonate. Subscribe, share, and be part of the shift toward healthier engagement—in collecting and beyond. Learn More & Join The Movement: Website: collectorsmd.com Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX Contact: info@collectorsmd.com YouTube: ‪‪@collectorsmd‬ Instagram: @collectorsmd Learn More About & Download Gamban: Website: gamban.com Dedicated Page: collectorsmd.com/gamban YouTube: ‪@gamban‬ Instagram: @gambanapp | @mattzarb #CollectorsMD | #Gamban | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly