BetBlocker has secured just over £1m in funding from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID).
The move reflects tighter requirements within the UK’s new Research, Education and Treatment (RET) framework, forcing a structural split to ensure full independence from gambling industry funding.
The funding, part of a £25m OHID programme, was discussed on the iGaming Daily podcast. Host Charlie Horner and iGaming Expert’s Joe Streeter were joined by BetBlocker CEO Duncan Garvie, who outlined the strict application process and the impact of recent sector changes following the closure of GambleAware.
Garvie said: “We will be separating into two separate organisations… the UK organisation will solely provide support to the UK, while the international arm will support the rest of the world.”
The funding equates to around £500,000 per year over two years. A large share will go on running two structures, including separate teams and duplicated software.
Despite this, BetBlocker expects growth, targeting a 50% increase in users and more than 30,000 people supported by 2026. New language options are also planned.
Garvie also addressed scrutiny of the process, noting the OHID fund was limited to Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations. As a charity, BetBlocker qualified, while commercial providers did not. Its free, anonymous model removes access barriers.
On the wider shift to OHID and NHS-led commissioning, Garvie said the transition is “bittersweet”, warning that some organisations missing out on funding could lead to a loss of sector expertise.
