BetBlocker Expands Gambling Harm Prevention Services With Syrian Arabic Support

The non-profit organisation said the decision was driven by growing demand from Syrian users, as well as ongoing cooperation with a European regulatory agency. According to BetBlocker, the new language option is aimed primarily at supporting Syrian diaspora communities living across Europe and neighbouring countries following years of displacement caused by the Syrian conflict.

The move reflects a wider shift within the gambling harm prevention sector, where regulators and public health organisations are placing greater emphasis on multilingual access and inclusive support systems. Several European studies have previously highlighted that migrant and refugee populations may face heightened risks related to gambling addiction due to factors such as financial insecurity, social isolation, and limited access to treatment services in their native language.

BetBlocker provides free software that allows users to block gambling websites and applications across desktop and mobile devices. Over the past year, the charity has steadily expanded its localisation strategy by adding new language options and strengthening partnerships with regulators, helplines, and harm prevention organisations in multiple jurisdictions. Previous additions included Ukrainian and Slovak language support as the organisation widened its reach in European markets.

Founder and Trustee Duncan Garvie said the Syrian Arabic rollout creates opportunities on several levels. According to Garvie, the expansion not only strengthens the organisation’s position in discussions with European regulators, but also helps provide assistance to communities that currently have very limited access to gambling harm support tools. He also noted that usage in Syria had already been rising significantly before the latest update was officially introduced.

The expansion comes amid broader discussions across the gambling industry regarding consumer protection and digital harm prevention. In recent years, European regulators have tightened responsible gambling requirements, with increasing attention paid to self-exclusion systems, behavioural monitoring technologies, and blocking software designed to help at-risk users limit gambling activity.

At the same time, charities and treatment providers continue to warn that language barriers remain one of the key obstacles preventing vulnerable individuals from seeking help. This challenge is especially relevant in countries with large migrant populations, where many users struggle to access support services tailored to their cultural and linguistic needs.

BetBlocker has increasingly positioned itself as a partner for regulators and public health organisations as gambling harm funding models evolve across Europe and the UK. Earlier this year, the charity confirmed it had secured levy funding support in England after receiving approval from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. The funding is expected to support the continued development of BetBlocker’s free software while also helping finance further international localisation efforts in underserved communities.