GB regulator approves BetBlocker.org as prevention charity

The GB Gambling Commission has officially recognised the BetBlocker app as a charity with the primary focus of helping prevent problem gambling.

Funded and developed by alternative dispute mediation service ThePogg.com, the responsible gambling app is now listed as one of six charities recognised by the regulator as being a specialist in prevention.

This means that gambling operators and other industry organisations, as well as the general public, can make donations to support BetBlocker's activities. Donations from GB-licensed operators will count towards their licence-mandated research, education and treatment donations. 

BetBlocker enables users to restrict their devices from accessing over 12,400 gambling operator websites, with restrictions lasting from 24 hours up to five years.

The service covers licensed and unlicensed brands, with users able to restrict themselves from illegal gambling services that are not subject to the Gambling Commission rule and regulations.

In November last year, BetBlocker was approved as a charity in the UK, and as a free-to-access app, it relies on donations, including funding from operators that are licensed by the Gambling Commission.

“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,” BetBlocker said.

In January, BetBlocker secured its first corporate donation from online casino comparison website CasinoGuide.