BetBlocker, a gambling harm prevention charity, will launch the Portuguese version of its award-winning blocking software at SBC Summit, SBC’s flagship event in Lisbon.
Hot off the back of receiving the Jim Wuelfing Annual Award for Prevention from the National Council on Problem Gambling in the United States, the charity is pushing to expand in new languages to ensure that their best-in-class, anonymous to use, and free support tool is accessible by more people than ever.
With over 200 million native Portuguese speakers worldwide, this launch removes a significant language barrier for crucial support that can now be accessed by millions of people impacted by gambling harms across the world.
Founder and Trustee for BetBlocker, Duncan Garvie, had this to say about the launch of the Portuguese version of the app:
“BetBlocker is the only free and anonymous to use blocking software. Users can go from download to blocked in less than two minutes. But only if they understand the set-up instructions.
“The truth is that most of the people who need BetBlocker’s support are in a state of crisis. They are not able to think clearly and trying to set up a tool like BetBlocker, with instructions that they either don’t or only partially understand, presents a significant barrier to accessing that support. Each time we launch BetBlocker in a new language we see user engagement in the language jump by between 4-10x.
“BetBlocker is really thrilled to launch a Portuguese-language version of the app at the SBC Summit; the event even has a distinct Player Protection Zone, so the organisers’ commitment to player safety truly aligns with our mission. There’s nowhere more appropriate to make this announcement than here in Lisbon.”
Andrew McCarron, Managing Director at SBC, added: “It is great that BetBlocker has chosen the SBC Summit to launch such an important service, especially one that reflects the event’s new home in Lisbon.
“A dedicated Portuguese language tool that helps those having difficulty with gambling will be most welcome both in Portugal and the newly regulating Brazillian market. It is a great service to show in our dedicated Player Protection Zone at SBC Summit and I look forward to hearing Duncan speak at our Player Protection Symposium.”
