BetBlocker to Launch Portuguese Language Support Service at SBC Summit 2024

BetBlocker to Launch Portuguese Language Support Service at SBC Summit 2024

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.”

About BetBlocker:

BetBlocker is a UK-registered charity that provides users with a free-to-use app that can block their device from accessing over 84k gambling websites and 1.5k gambling apps.

The service can be used anonymously and supports tens of thousands of active users every day.

BetBlocker will be exhibiting at SBC Lisbon between the 24th and 26th of September (stand PP170) and Duncan Garvie will be speaking on the panel Gambling for the Greater Good at the conference on the 24th.

About SBC Summit:

SBC Summit is SBC’s flagship global event, drawing 25,000 professionals from the
sports betting, iGaming, and related industries to its new home in Lisbon. The event will span 110,000 square meters, featuring over 600 exhibitors across various themed zones, including Casino & iGaming, Sports Betting, Player Protection, StartupSphere, and three newly introduced summits: Affiliate Leaders, Payment Expert, and ESI Lisbon (focused on esports and the creator economy).

The summit will also feature eight stages, with the highlight being the Super Stage at MEO Arena, where notable figures such as legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, World Wide Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee, football icons Luis Figo and Peter Schmeichel, and UFC Champion Merab Dvalishvili will take the stage.