Anonymity central to breaking down stigma in gambling harm support, BetBlocker report finds
2026-07-20
Source: iGaming Expert
BetBlocker's survey of 1,095 users finds that anonymity is a critical enabler of gambling harm support, with 85% citing it as a central feature and 30% naming fear of stigma as the reason. The report also highlights the growing prevalence of gambling in Africa, where Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria accounted for the most responses.
A new study from gambling-blocking tool BetBlocker underscores the critical role of anonymity in reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek help for gambling-related harm. Nearly 85% of respondents in a survey of 1,095 users identified the ability to remain anonymous as a core feature of the service, with 30% citing fear of judgement and stigma as the reason they valued it.
BetBlocker’s report argues that removing the need to create an account or share personal details significantly lowers the friction in accessing support. The company stated, "Privacy is not only a valued feature, but also a possible key facilitator of access," adding that anonymity appears to reduce entry barriers and allows individuals to seek help immediately in a context where shame and stigma often block the path to treatment.
Women, who made up nearly 30% of those surveyed, are especially affected by stigma and are less likely to reach out for help, according to the findings. The research highlights that problem gamblers from ethnic minorities also face disproportionate stigma, echoing earlier observations from GambleAware that cited such judgement as one of the biggest obstacles to getting assistance.
Africa emerges as a key region
The survey drew the largest number of responses from three African nations: Kenya (236 participants), South Africa (187) and Nigeria (101). Additional responses came from Ghana, Zambia and Uganda, reflecting the rapid spread of mobile-enabled online gambling across the continent.
Usage motivations
When asked why they used BetBlocker, 75% of respondents said it was to "help me stop gambling," while 14% said they wanted to reduce or control their gambling activity. Others used the platform to block access during specific times or to support another person struggling with gambling harm.