Anonymity: A Key to Gambling Harm Support, BetBlocker Report Highlights Benefits

A recent report by BetBlocker, a gambling harm prevention charity, emphasizes the fundamental role of anonymity in combating stigma and providing effective assistance for problem gambling. Research into problematic gambling has repeatedly shown that those facing issues often encounter societal stigma. This is particularly true for women and people from ethnic minorities. GambleAware previously identified this stigma as one of the biggest barriers to seeking help for problem gambling.

BetBlocker highlights that the ability to use the service anonymously and without providing personal data removes barriers. This makes it easier for many people to access support in a situation often characterized by shame and fear of stigma. The organization expanded its multilingual offerings in 2024 and 2025, including Italian, Maltese, and several Zambian languages. A Portuguese version was also introduced to reach over 200 million native speakers worldwide.

Numbers and facts

A survey commissioned by BetBlocker, involving 1,095 participants, substantiates these findings. Nearly 85% of respondents stated that anonymity is a 'central feature' of the service. Almost one in three respondents (30%) cited fear of judgment and stigma as the main reason for valuing anonymity. The report stresses that not requiring an account or sharing personal details is perceived as removing friction from the gambling harm treatment journey. The primary reason for using BetBlocker, for 75% of respondents, was to 'help me stop gambling'. Another 14% used the service to reduce or control their gambling activity. Others wanted to block gambling during specific times or support someone else.

Anonymity is particularly important for women, who represented almost 30% of those surveyed. They often face greater stigma and are therefore more reluctant to seek help. Geographically, the highest number of survey participants came from Africa: Kenya with 236 participants, South Africa with 187, and Nigeria with 101. Respondents from Ghana, Zambia, and Uganda also contributed. Overall, these figures underscore the growing importance of gambling in Africa, fueled by increasing mobile penetration and online gaming.

"These results suggest that privacy is not only a valued feature, but also a possible key facilitator of access. Being able to use BetBlocker anonymously, without creating an account and without providing personal data, appears to reduce barriers to entry and support people in seeking help immediately, particularly in a context where shame, stigma and concerns about exposure of personal information can make it harder to seek support." - BetBlocker Report

Background

BetBlocker also funds research by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in gambling blocking software. This collaboration, BetBlocker's first academic partnership in the US, aims to advance research into preventative tools for reducing gambling harm. The study, led by UNLV's International Gaming Institute (IGI), will investigate the effectiveness and user profile of self-exclusion tools. The goal is to fill a research gap concerning free, anonymous gambling blockers and provide evidence-based insights for operators, policymakers, and the public.

Pedro Romero, Chief of SG Partnerships at BetBlocker, expressed his satisfaction with this initiative:

"We are delighted to support a study that provides genuine insights into the role of free and anonymous blocking software in harm prevention and minimisation." - Pedro Romero, Chief of SG Partnerships at BetBlocker

Why it matters for German players

The findings from BetBlocker regarding the importance of anonymity in gambling protection are also relevant for German players. Germany introduced comprehensive regulations with the Gambling State Treaty 2021 (GlüStV 2021) to strengthen player protection. These include central elements such as the nationwide self-exclusion system LUGAS, the 1 Euro per spin bet limit for online slot machines, and a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euros for GGL-licensed online casinos. While these measures aim to curb problematic gambling behavior, the anonymity of players is not a primary focus in this context. Players at reputable, German-licensed providers must fully identify themselves. This data serves for player account verification and compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. Providers on the whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) are obliged to document and monitor all gambling activities transparently to ensure player protection. The path of full legalization and regulation in Germany aims to keep players in a safe and controlled environment, rather than driving them to the black market where anonymity is often deceptive and protection is lacking. It remains a trade-off between comprehensive protection and the threshold for seeking help that disclosure can create.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For online casinos holding a German GGL license, these findings mean they must continue to rely on a transparent and identifiable gaming environment. Even if anonymity can serve as a gateway to help services, the legal framework in Germany is clear. Online gambling is only legal if the player is fully registered and verified. This enables operators to monitor deposit and betting limits and, if necessary, block players via LUGAS or internal systems. GGL casinos must therefore find other ways to facilitate players' access to anonymous help services such as BetBlocker. This includes prominent links to such services on their websites and in their Responsible Gaming sections. The challenge is to connect the legally mandated safety net with low-threshold, anonymous support offerings.