Safer gaming software provider BetBlocker has made a donation to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to support its International Gaming Institute (IGI) research program.
The money will be used to advance academic research on gambling blocking software and its users.
It is hoped the contribution will help inform evidence-based policies and enhance player protection measures.
The donation to the university, BetBlocker’s first in the US, comes after the charity announced its entry into the market earlier this year.
Pedro Romero, head of safer gambling partnerships at BetBlocker, said the charity is “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,” he added.
“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.”
Dr. Kasra Ghaharian, the director of research at UNLV’s International Gaming Institute who is among those leading the research, said: “Gaining a better understanding of individuals who use gambling blocking software is critical, as there is little to no published research on this population.
“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.”
