The UK Gambling Commission has officially approved BetBlockers as a responsible gambling charity with the primary focus of helping to prevent problem gambling.
The company, which provides a free app that allows users to restrict their internet capable devices from accessing over 12.4k gambling operator websites, is now found on the UKGC website as one of only six charities recognised by the regulator under the prevention heading.
Restrictions undertaken via BetBlocker 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.
Available via Android, iOS, Windows, Apple Mac, Linux and Fire OS, it follows the charity registering 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”.
Revealing the news in a media release, the company explains: “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.”
