BetBlocker has entered into a collaborative research partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), providing a financial contribution to support the International Gaming Institute’s (IGI) academic research programme. The initiative focuses on exploring the use and effectiveness of gambling blocking software.
This marks the first collaboration of its kind between a provider of blocking technology and an academic institution with global expertise in gambling research. The study will examine how individuals engage with self-exclusion tools and assess their broader implications on responsible gambling behaviours.
The partnership aims to deliver data-driven insights that can inform policy development, shape safer gambling initiatives, and support regulatory efforts across the igaming industry. Both organisations have highlighted their shared commitment to improving consumer protection standards and contributing to the wider public discourse around harm minimisation.
As responsible gambling continues to be a central topic for regulators, operators and industry stakeholders, this type of research collaboration has the potential to advance understanding and influence best practices throughout the igaming sector.
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.”
