Exclusive: Addressing Gambling Harm with Free Tools: BetBlocker’s Milestone Expansion in Zambia
As gambling continues to grow globally, so does the need for accessible tools to help those affected by gambling harm. iGaming AFRIKA magazine spoke with Duncan Garvie, Founder and Trustee of BetBlocker, and Rinashe Magumise, a gambling addiction and recovery trainer, to explore how technology and advocacy are shaping the future of responsible gambling.
BetBlocker, a charity dedicated to providing free, anonymous software that blocks access to gambling websites and apps, has been a lifeline for countless individuals since its launch in 2017. Through innovative features and tireless advocacy, the organisation continues to empower those struggling with gambling addiction.
Now, with its latest expansion into Zambia, BetBlocker is making a monumental impact in underserved regions. Collaborating with local champions like Magumise, the organisation is translating its app into native languages—ensuring accessibility for millions while fostering trust and community engagement.
This article delves into BetBlocker’s journey, its real-world impact, and its vision for a future where responsible gambling tools are available to all.
iGaming AFRIKA: Can you briefly tell us what BetBlocker is, its mission and goals in the global gaming industry?
Duncan Garvie: BetBlocker is a charity registered in both the UK and USA. We provide free and anonymous blocking software. An app that you can download and choose how long you’d like to restrict from online gambling and the app will block your device from accessing gambling websites and apps for that period.
iGaming AFRIKA: BetBlocker is a non-profit organisation. What would you say motivates you to see its success in more markets across the world?
Duncan Garvie: I’ve interacted with many people who have experienced gambling harm via my role as Head of ADR Services for CasinoReviews.com. I’ve seen the more challenging and brutal consequences of addiction. And I passionately believe that no one in that position, having already experienced severe financial detriment, should have to pay for help.
And that goes double for underserved populations, where there is little or no support available when things go wrong. It’s far more important that BetBlocker ensures that it is free and accessible in these markets.
iGaming AFRIKA: You’ve been a strong advocate for responsible gambling with BetBlocker since 2017. Can you tell us what inspired you to create this tool and the initial challenges you faced in its development?
Duncan Garvie: BetBlocker was inspired and motivated by my work mediating disputes between players and online gambling operators. Around 2016 we saw a substantial rise in the number of gambling harm-related complaints that were being submitted to our service. This was a consequence of the UKGC stepping in to regulate the market and the fact that more players were becoming aware of their rights.
There were a lot of very challenging cases, and sadly we couldn’t always recover money for every claimant. I wanted to find other support services that we could signpost for users. My first thoughts were blocking software, to buy people more time to deal with the deeper issues. But when I looked around, I realised that all the blocking software on the market was commercial, requiring a subscription fee to access.
Many of the people I was interacting with had already lost far more than they could afford. Telling them that they then had to pay to get support seemed deeply unfair to me. So, we set up BetBlocker, to provide blocking software free of charge. And we’ve been supporting vulnerable users for free ever since.
iGaming AFRIKA: You’ve recently partnered with Rinashe Magumise to launch BetBlocker in Zambia. What made this collaboration the right choice for BetBlocker’s expansion into Africa?
Duncan Garvie: It’s less about the fact that we’re launching in Africa, BetBlocker has always been freely available to anyone in Africa, and more that we’re trying to translate the tool into languages that will make it easier for communities in Africa (and all over the world) to access the support that we offer.
Many of the people who most need the support are at a point of crisis when they try to install BetBlocker. When you’re in that situation, you can’t think clearly. Being confronted by set-up instructions in a language that you either do not speak, or you aren’t confident in, can create a barrier to access that is insurmountable. We’re working hard to translate into as many languages as possible.
Our partnership with Rinashe and Fresh Start was typical of our translation projects. Rinashe reached out to us to talk about improving support and awareness in Zambia. We were lucky enough to have been given some funding from Entain specifically to support Zambia, so we tapped Rinashe’s local expertise to establish which dialects would be best to support, and Rinashe worked with us to find a translator capable of doing the job.
Most of our translation projects start with someone, often a treatment provider or operator, in the relevant country offering to support us by doing the translation, meaning that we only have to deliver the technical upgrade. This also ensures that we end up with a close partner, on the ground, who knows the (country’s) politics and the right people to speak to in the country to help us ensure that the service is visible to local communities. Rinashe has been an absolute superstar and we do not doubt that many people in Zambia will find the support that they need because of his work.
Driving Positive Change in Gambling Addiction Support
iGaming AFRIKA: Rinashe, your expertise in brand consulting and your work in gambling addiction recovery have given you a unique perspective. Can you tell us more about your journey and what led you to focus on gambling addiction?
Rinashe Magumise: I was a gambling addict for four years, (2019-2022). I lost over k250 000 chasing the thrill. My addiction went beyond financial losses as I managed to destroy almost every personal and professional relationship I had. Realising that I was on a dark path, I started my recovery journey on the 31st of December 2022.
My story of resilience propelled me to come out and help those who might be going through the same in my country. The gambling industry has grown to astronomical levels but at the same time, it has increased the chances of gambling harms- affecting a lot of people on a global scale.
Seeing that there was a need to raise education and awareness, I focused entirely on gambling addiction, specifically training organisation and peer mentoring.
iGaming AFRIKA: How does your experience as a gambling addiction and recovery trainer inform your approach to launching Betblocker in new markets like Zambia?
Rinashe Magumise: Raising education and awareness about gambling harms in Zambia is only one part of the Siamese equation. As much as I talk about the problems we are currently facing, there must be a solution to that problem.
Betblocker’s software plays a critical part in helping those who might have a challenge putting a cap on their gambling habits. Better yet, those who are seeking recovery and want to create a better environment for themselves.
This initiative will enhance my training experience as I will be able to recommend Betblocker to those who need it in Zambia.
iGaming AFRIKA: You’ve partnered with Duncan Garvie to bring Betblocker to Zambia. What excites you most about this partnership, and what do you think it brings to the Zambian market?
Rinashe Magumise: Our partnership is a bridge between Europe and Africa. A collaboration like this will help intensify the efforts being made to combat the harms caused by gambling.
Seeing that gambling addiction is a global health crisis, there is an urgent need to use universal and technology-sourced solutions. Betblocker is a trailblazer in that aspect.
Having been in the gambling industry for quite a while, bringing that value into it will allow all stakeholders associated with the gambling industry to benchmark their efforts in combating gambling addiction by adopting a solution that is palatable in local languages.
iGaming AFRIKA: What challenges have you seen firsthand in dealing with gambling addiction in Zambia, and how do you think Betblocker can help address these issues on a societal level?
Rinashe Magumise:: The stigma around gambling addiction is an impending factor. Gambling addiction treatment is still in its infancy in Zambia and most people prefer to hide and suffer in silence instead of seeking help.
In addition to the stigma, there are fewer places people can get help specifically dealing with gambling addiction. More mental health facilities are needed and more organisations need to get on board when it comes to raising education and awareness as far as gambling addiction is concerned.
Software that can help block those who are overwhelmed or overburdened will help in dealing with gambling addiction. It’s a piece of the puzzle needed to complete the recovery jigsaw.
Read the full interview in our digital Magazine:
