The UK-registered charity that offers free blocking software meant to assist players with better managing their access to online gambling platforms, BetBlocker, has received the highly appreciated Jim Wuelfing Annual Award for Prevention at the 2024 National Council on Problem Gambling Awards (NCPG).
In a LinkedIn post, BetBlocked took the opportunity to publicly announce its success at the award show which was held on July 19.
“BetBlocker is absolutely thrilled to announce that on Friday the 19th of July 2024, we received the Jim Wuelfing Annual Award for Prevention from the National Council on Problem Gambling”, read their social media post.
Earlier this month, the NCPG announced it would introduce a tribal advisory council to ensure more culturally sensitive approaches.
The Prestigious Recognition, “Deeply Humbling” for BetBlocker
The charity that offers “the most effective software” to iOS, Android, Windows, Apple, Linux, and Fire OS users and restricts both unregulated as well as licensed gambling operators added the newly received award recognizes their contribution to gambling harm prevention, “which is exactly BetBlocker’s purpose.”
“There is no higher award or recognition that our organization could receive,” further read the social media post.
Since the recognition stems from “one of the most authoritative and prestigious” bodies in the industry, this makes it “deeply humbling” for the charity that is currently used by thousands of people from all parts of the world on a daily basis and downloaded hundreds of thousands of times.
The award was received by Pedro Romero, who is the charity’s chief of safer gambling partnerships.
Romero also called it “incredibly humbling” to speak to a large number of harm minimization organizations located in the USA “that are already referring their service users to BetBlocker” during the NCPG conference, which is not something they can regularly do, given the fact that they offer an anonymous service.
“It’s easy to lose sight of just how many people are positively impacted by the support we offer,” he added.
BetBlocker Founder: “I’m Over the Moon About This One”
“Everyone at BetBlocker wants to offer our deepest thanks to the NCPG and the judging panel for their consideration. This means a great deal to us indeed,” read the post under which Duncan Garvie, BetBlocker’s founder and trustee/ADR official, commented, “I’m over the moon about this one,” answering a congratulatory message.
Garvie also called the recognition of their work in the problem gambling space by the NCPG, “one of the most influential voices within the sector,” one of the “highest possible accolades” they could have received.
The charity founder spoke on behalf of the entire team to say they were all “deeply honored” for having received the prize that carries the name of a reputable trainer and advocate for problem gambling prevention in the US.
The award is the result of many years of hard work put in by BetBlocker with a focus on delivering effective and free blocking software available for anonymous use anywhere in the world.
BetBlocker’s software is the only one of its kind to provide a Calendaring Feature that enables users to plan ahead and establish exactly when the block should be switched on during their known periods of vulnerability.
The services are currently translated into six non-English languages with more to follow, also assisting minority communities.
Last month, online gaming and crypto betting company Stake announced a historic safer gambling agreement with BetBlocker during which the former will promote the latter’s responsible gaming tools.
Earlier the same month, the charity announced it would start using Blask’s Artificial Intelligence solutions to boost its responsible gambling efforts.
