BetBlocker announces unique research collaboration with UNLV IGI.

BetBlocker is delighted to announce that it has made a donation to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in support of the International Gaming Institute’s (IGI) research program.  This contribution will help advance academic research on gambling blocking software and its users. This marks a pioneering collaboration between a blocking software provider and an internationally renowned academic institute specialising in gambling research.  Both organizations envision this research generating transformative insights that will help inform evidence-based policies, enhance player protection measures, and contribute to the broader public good.

Pedro Romero, Chief of SG Partnerships at BetBlocker enthused: “We are very happy to collaborate with UNLV IGI and Dr. Ghaharian’s research team on this project. This is our first research collaboration in the U.S., and we are delighted to support a study that provides genuine insights into the role of free and anonymous blocking software in harm prevention and minimisation. Helping with this research is in line with our values of enhancing safer gambling tools and reducing gambling-related harm. In a sector where we often see reports commissioned to research consultancy companies at great expense to validate commercial products, we believe in supporting independent research: critical, objective, peer-reviewed, and academically rigorous.”

Director of Research at the International Gaming Institute, Kasra Ghaharian, PhD commented: “Gaining a better understanding of individuals who use gambling blocking software is critical, as there is little to no published research on this population,” said Kasra Ghaharian, Director of Research at IGI. ” We are truly grateful to BetBlocker for their support, which will help advance research in this area while also providing valuable opportunities for graduate students to develop their skills. I can’t wait for us to share the insights from this important work, which will be valuable to operators, policymakers, and the public”.

When asked about his hopes for the research project, Founder and Trustee of BetBlocker, Duncan Garvie stated: “For the first 4 years of the project, I delivered the user technical support for BetBlocker. I’ve interacted with thousands of people using the tool and I know how much of a difference it has made to a huge number of lives. But that type of anecdotal validation isn’t enough in this day and age. Effectiveness has to be evidenced and we’re very supportive of academic efforts to gather evidence to examine how the availability of a free, anonymous blocking software improves outcomes for user.”