ICE 2024’s Consumer Protection Zone (CPZ) has raised £41,100 to be split between two charities; the International Centre for Responsible Gambling (ICRG) and Betblocker, with more than £225,000 now raised by the CPZ over the last four years.

Earlier today, ICRG and Betblocker were invited to a donation ceremony at the CPZ where they each received £20,500, raised with the help of Light and Wonder, Flutter, Betsson Group, IGT, Novomatic, Neccton and Playtech.

Following the well-attended ceremony, Ewa Bakun, Clarion Gaming’s director of industry insight and engagement, said: “We are really pleased to have raised more than £225,000 over the last four years, with £41,100 coming from seven donors this year. It’s very rewarding to be able to use ICE 2024 as a platform to support the important activities these charities carry out and to promote the commitment of the industry through the Consumer Protection Zone. I can only hope we can continue this effort next year and raise even more for such deserving charities.”

After receiving an oversized cheque for £20,500, Betblocker founder and trustee Duncan Garvie, commented: “We had no idea we were in consideration for this donation. The money is a big help, and will contribute massively towards the development of a new timer feature we are hoping to implement. As a charity, we are always working hard to get funding through the door, but almost as important as the money is the exposure. Having ICE champion Betblocker - providing us with a stand - is a huge profile lift for us.”

ICRG President Arthur Paikowsky, who also accepted an award as Clarion Gaming’s Charity of the Year at the ceremony, added: “It was an honour to be named Charity of the Year, but it was still a big surprise to receive this donation of £20,500 - and a great way to start our 25th anniversary year. It’s an exciting year for us, we currently have 27 different studies launched, with our major sports wagering behaviour report due by the end of Q2. The most recent study we have launched is with Harvard Medical, and today’s donation will help us fund more research with some of the best investigators in this field. When you are a small organisation like ours, £20,500 is very meaningful - it’s meaningful money.”