BetBlocker Launches in US to Enhance Responsible Gaming
European responsible gaming charity BetBlocker opens a branch in the US.
BetBlocker can prevent access to most gambling sites on the Web. © Jean-Louis SERVAIS, Unsplash
Key Facts:
- BetBlocker is a free-to-use app that blocks gambling sites.
- It can permanently self-exclude or can be used with a timer feature
- The software currently blocks 88,000+ sites and more than 1500 gambling apps.
- It can also be installed on children’s phones and devices.
BetBlocker, which has been helping people with gambling disorders in Europe and Africa for almost a decade, has finally filed to open a US-based branch of its charity.
While it used a new partnership with the Colorado lottery as its introduction to rolling out more programs here in the US, it has, in fact, been partnered with some of the country’s largest online casino operators, like DraftKings, for some time.
However, the company felt that by officially filing for their 503(C) status in Delaware, a US-based branch might be able to draw more donations and raise awareness of the dangers of problem gambling here.
Most estimates believe that two to four million Americans are struggling with severe gambling addiction, while five to seven million more show signs of various serious gambling disorders.
The concept is quite simple. BetBlocker is downloaded to your devices and then prevents your access to gambling or gambling-related sites. They currently have more than 88k sites in their database and almost two thousand gambling apps, with more added daily.
In June 2024, they partnered with Blask, an AI-powered startup that provides insight to iGaming companies. Blask now provides information and site addresses on new gambling companies to BetBlocker quicker than any human interaction or reporting could, ensuring that most new gambling companies are blocked before you’ve even heard of them.
As the company says, the best price for a gambler in trouble is free, so the company’s software is always free to use and features no advertising or selling of your information to raise money.
BetBlocker instead turns to both large iGaming companies, state lottos, and even government-funded responsible gaming initiatives to fund their charitable operations as well as private donations.
How BetBlocker Works
You don’t need to register and are free to use the software anonymously if you prefer. Interestingly, if you aren’t yet ready to permanently self-exclude, a calendar feature restricts your access to these types of sites only when you tell it.
So, perhaps you only wish to gamble an hour a day. You simply set up the software, and it takes care of the rest.
However, it’s important to realize that software like this is very hard to remove once set up. Of course, this restriction is intentional, ensuring that users can’t easily bypass the protection once installed.
Another feature is a parental control portal. Not only will it block gambling sites, but any site URLs concerned parents may wish to place as off limits, from Instagram and TikTok to adult-themed web businesses.
Since the company, which is registered in Scotland and has been operating in Europe since 2017, wished to reach the largest number of people it could, it is already available in 17 languages.
Those include English and Spanish, the USA’s largest two language groups, but more European-centric ones like Bulgarian and Ukrainian as well. It will soon roll out the software in Chinese, which will cover North America’s three largest languages.
With many state legislatures and even Federal Senators and congressmen calling for more responsible gaming programs, it seems that BetBlocker has the tools needed to help those placed at risk by the recent rapid rollout of sports betting across more than 36 states. Here’s hoping for their continued success in their new North American venture.
