UK Gambling Commission Approves BetBlocker as Prevention Charity

By Simon Wright, Last updated Mar 1, 2021

Press Release: BetBlocker.org is proud to announce that it has been officially recognised by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) as a responsible gambling charity with the primary focus of helping to prevent problem gambling. The charity is now found listed on the UKGC website as one of only six charities recognised by the regulator under the prevention heading.

BetBlocker provides a free app that allows users to restrict their internet capable devices from accessing over 12.4k gambling operator websites (a ‘blocking’ software). The restrictions can last from 24 hours up to 5 years offering flexibility to the user to allow them to best manage their interactions with gambling in a controlled and responsible manner. The app is available on the following platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Apple Mac, Linux and Fire OS.

BetBlocker.org was registered with the OSCR, Scotland’s charity regulator, in August 2019. Its main purposes, as listed on the OSCR website, are “the prevention or relief of poverty” and “the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage”.

Gambling operators, other organisations, and even the general public can now donate to BetBlocker.org in order to fund its activities. Donations from UKGC licensed gambling operators can also be counted towards the license required RET donations.

This is especially significant as the regulator has been sign-posting for some time the possibility that their licensees may soon be required to offer a free license to a blocking software to any self-excluding player.

As BetBlocker is currently the only free blocking software, by donating to the charity the generosity shown by the operator can be reciprocated by ensuring that a free blocking software remains available should the regulator choose to make this a license requirement. In this manner donating to BetBlocker may actually save operators money in the long run.

As a charity, BetBlocker.org can only continue operating as long as it is funded by generous contributors. Operators opting to cooperate with the charity are not only supporting the thousands of users that are actively using the tool every day but are insuring themselves against potential future overheads that would come from having to provide commercial licenses to an alternative blocking software to individuals looking to self-exclude.

In the short time since the UKGC charity recognition came through, BetBlocker has already received significant financial contributions from both Greentube (Novomatic) and L&L Europe. These contributions have already allowed for significant upgrades to be made to the service being offered.

About BetBlocker.org

BetBlocker.org is a charitable organisation established to help relieve the burdens caused by gambling through the prevention of problem gambling. The organisation’s main tool is software that can be downloaded and installed to prevent online devices from gaining access to gambling sites.

The software is offered free of charge to both consumers and gambling operators. It is funded through charitable contributions.

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