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BetBlocker makes charitable contribution to UNLV's International Gaming Research Center

BetBlocker provides funding to UNLV's International Gaming Institute for autonomous research initiatives.

BetBlocker makes charitable contribution to UNLV's International Gaming Research Center

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BetBlocker, a company dedicated to helping individuals manage their gambling habits, has funded a research project at the University of Nevada Las Vegas's (UNLV) International Gaming Institute (IGI). This partnership aims to bolster independent research, essential for shaping policies related to problem gambling.

BetBlocker and UNLV's IGI Join Forces

BetBlocker and the acclaimed IGI have united in a partnership, as described in a press release shared with our News outlet. Both entities have been relentless in their pursuit of groundbreaking research to combat problem gambling and establish evidence-based policies.

According to Pedro Romero, BetBlocker's Chief of SG Partnerships, this alliance is revolutionary. Romero expressed his delight about the partnership, emphasizing its potential in providing real-world insights into the role of blocker software in preventing and minimizing gambling-related harm. This collaboration, Romero added, furthers BetBlocker's commitment to fostering safer gambling tools and reducing the overall impact of gambling addiction.

Romero further highlighted the importance of solid research, especially in an era where reports are often commissioned to validate commercial products. He reiterated the need for independent research, which he believes is crucial for unbiased and effective results.

Ditch Anecdotal Stories, Says Duncan Garvie

Kasra Ghaharian, the Director of Research at IGI, welcomed the partnership with excitement. Ghaharian expressed gratitude for BetBlocker's support, which he believes will significantly advance research in this critical area while offering valuable learning opportunities for graduate students. He looks forward to sharing the findings from this research, which will undoubtedly prove beneficial for operators, policymakers, and the public at large.

Duncan Garvie, Founder and Trustee of BetBlocker, also expressed satisfaction with the new collaboration, acknowledging the positive impact BetBlocker has had on countless lives. However, Garvie criticized the reliance on anecdotal evidence and argued for its inadequacy in the current context.

"Evidence of effectiveness is crucial in the fight against gambling addiction," Garvie emphasized, stressing his support for academic research to investigate the role of accessible and anonymous blocking software in improving outcomes for users.

Image credit: BetBlocker

Enrichment Insights

The donation from BetBlocker to UNLV's IGI signifies several significant benefits:

  • Expanded Research Horizons: The additional resources provided by BetBlocker enable UNLV to undertake more extensive studies on gambling disorders, improving the overall understanding of problem gambling.
  • Diverse Expertise: Collaborations between institutions like IGI and organizations such as BetBlocker encourage interdisciplinary research, incorporating insights from technology, health sciences, and social sciences.
  • Policy-Making: Research findings supported by donations provide valuable data to policymakers, helping them draft regulations that effectively target problem gambling while balancing the industry's needs.
  • Public Health: Better understanding of problem gambling can lead to increased public awareness about the risks associated with gambling addiction and improved support services for individuals struggling with addiction.
  • Evidence-Based Regulations: Evidence-based research can guide policymakers in creating sustainable and effective regulations for the gambling industry. This partnership highlights the importance of donations in funding research, driving positive change for the community and public health.
  1. With the financial support of BetBlocker, the International Gaming Institute (IGI) at the University of Nevada Las Vegas is conducting research that investigates the role of technology, such as gambling blocker software, in education-and-self-development, aiming to provide evidence-based policies for casino-and-gambling industries.
  2. Duncan Garvie, Founder and Trustee of BetBlocker, advocates for academic research into the effectiveness of accessible and anonymous blocking software in addressing gambling addiction, citing the need to move beyond anecdotal evidence and instead rely on evidence-based regulations for the gambling industry.
Independent research at UNLV's International Gaming Institute is now funded by a donation from BetBlocker, with the aim of driving the investigation forward autonomously.

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