User talk:Britain risks losing safer gambling leadership, warns Bet Blockerog
Pedro Romero, head of partnerships at safer gambling software provider BetBlockerog, highlighted the anxiety in research, education and treatment organisations arising from the publication of the UK government's gambling reform white paper.
Following the February issue of ICE, in which BetBlocker and the U.S.-based International Center for Responsible Gambling (ICRG) shared a 41,000-pound pool provided by major brands Light & Wonder, Flutter, Betson Group, IGT, Novomatic, Necton, and Playtech Pedro Romero, "ICE 2024's main topics revolved around the release of the white paper, which caused a lot of anxiety, particularly regarding safer gambling.
"I am concerned for many in the third sector who feel left out in critical conversations about the future of safe gambling and damage minimisation.
"The potential implications of these disconnections are important not only for the individuals and communities we serve, but also for Britain's reputation on the ground.
"We need to find ways to bridge this gap and work together to address the challenges ahead. Otherwise, I think the UK risks losing its leadership position in developing safer gambling practices."
In response to the £20,500 donation offered by ICE, he said: "We have allocated these funds with two purposes in mind. Mainly, it will help us with our operating costs as a small charity that is critical to the sustainability of our operations.
"In addition, we are excited about a very special project that we are planning for ICE 2025 in Barcelona. Without giving too much away, it is a development that aims to pay homage to Clarion and Barcelona. We believe that it will have a significant impact and look forward to making it public."
Romero said positively about his move to Barcelona: "ICE 2024 marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for Barcelona and served as a fantastic farewell to London.
"While there is something rather sad about leaving a city that was such a great venue, the move to Barcelona is an exciting development. It represents a new opportunity for ICE to become a global gaming hub in a vibrant and dynamic city. We are very excited about what the future holds for this new location."
