It is with immense pride, and after an incredible amount of work, that Betblocker.org and ThePOGG can announce the arrival of the Responsible Gambling Directory (RGD).  This incredible resource is a master index of the different organisations – free and commercial – around the world that can offer help and support to those experiencing gambling related harms. The RGD is supremely easy to navigate via its 6 master categories: Phone Lines, RG Information, Blocking Gambling, Support Groups, Therapy and Emergency Help.  Geotargeting ensures that the user is only able to view those organisations that can actually support them from their country of residence meaning their pathway to help is a direct one.

A growing frustration at the lack of a central resource of support mechanisms for those with gambling addiction issues led to the co-development of the RGD by BetBlocker – the responsible gambling charity – and ThePOGG.

Most industry experts agree on the fact that blocking softwares – such as that offered free to all be BetBlocker – are vital in bringing about recovery – but fresh insight is highlighting the fact that they work most effectively as part of a raft of support measures. BetBlocker intends to give those with problem gambling tendencies links to all means of support out there so that they are able to take back control of their lives. The RGD is giant hub for these links.

We were interested to hear more on the RGD project from BetBlocker Trustee, Duncan Garvie.

“The Responsible Gaming Directory has been a vast undertaking due to the global scope of the data involved.  We simply would not have been able to bring this to a successful conclusion without assistance from the team at ThePOGG.com.

We are delighted that we are able to create the RGD to help those with gambling addiction issues find the right type of support for them, with ease.  Some players will merely require information on how to pre-empt problem gambling behaviours whilst others will be in the midst of a crisis precipitated by their addiction – regardless – the RGD will lead them to the appropriate category of help in the country in which they are resident.”

BetBlocker is now at the stage of offering the use of their resource to other institutions who have a need for it.  There is no other tool like this out there and so it is invaluable to those organisations that take safer gambling seriously. The BetBlocker team is most willing to build unique branded versions of their tool for any charity, non-profit, public educational institution or regulatory entity wishing to aid their users by making it clear to them just how many problem gambling support mechanisms are out there providing support.

Should any commercial enterprise wish to procure a branded version of the tool (this will include their personal logo and custom colour scheme) then this is also possible by committing to an annual donation in support of the charity, and the important work it does every day of the year.*

We were keen to find out more about these personalised versions of the tool so asked Mr Garvie to explain:

“Well simply put, iGaming operators and other gambling related agencies have direct contact with thousands of players every single day. Way more than we do. There is the potential for any player to experience problem gambling habits, and by working with these other institutions, we can meet the needs of far more vulnerable players than if we insist on hosting this information ourselves.  We aren’t naïve – we know that in reality commercial organisations and charitable agencies – want things on their sites to look “right”.  They want their logos on the pages, the colours to match those of the branding on the rest of the site.  That’s not a big deal to us if it means more players get the help they need more quickly than ever before.  It’s an idea we were all behind.”