ICE London: Betblocker, ICRG receive donations

The International Center for Responsible Gambling and Betblocker Tuesday received £20,500 each during a donation ceremony at ICE London’s Consumer Protection Zone. The funds were raised with the help of Light & Wonder, Flutter, the Betsson Group, IGT, Novomatic, Neccton, and Playtech.

“We are really pleased to have raised more than £225,000 over the last four years, with £41,100 coming from seven donors this year,” said Clarion Gaming Director of Industry Insight and Engagement Ewa Bakun following the ceremony. “It’s very rewarding to be able to use ICE 2024 as a platform to support the important activities these charities carry out and to promote the commitment of the industry through the Consumer Protection Zone. I can only hope we can continue this effort next year and raise even more for such deserving charities.”

Betblocker Founder and Trustee Duncan Garvie said he had no idea his organization was being considered for the donation.

“The money is a big help and will contribute massively towards the development of a new timer feature we’re hoping to implement,” Garvie said. “As a charity, we’re always working hard to get funding through the door, but almost as important as the money is the exposure. Having ICE champion Betblocker, providing us with a stand, is a huge profile lift for us.”

ICRG President Arthur Paikowsky also accepted an award as Clarion Gaming’s Charity of the Year at the ceremony.

“It was an honor to be named Charity of the Year, but it was still a big surprise to receive this donation of £20,500 and a great way to start our 25th-anniversary year,” Paikowsky said, noting the organization currently has 27 different studies underway and a major sports wagering behavior report due by the end of the 2nd quarter 2024. “The most recent study we’ve launched is with Harvard Medical and today’s donation will help us fund more research with some of the best investigators in this field. When you’re a small organization like ours, £20,500 is very meaningful money.”

Rege Behe is lead contributor to CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at rbehe@cdcgaming.com. Please follow @RegeBehe_exPTR on Twitter.

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