The Best Ways On How To Block Gambling Sites

The Best Ways On How To Block Gambling Sites

Gambling online is easier than ever, which can lead some individuals to seek ways to block gambling sites and apps entirely. Thankfully, there are a variety of methods, from software to device-specific settings, that help limit or prevent access to gambling content. Here’s a guide on how to block gambling sites on various devices and the pros and cons of each option.

Software Solutions for Blocking Gambling Sites

Blocking software is the first step for many looking to control their engagement with casino online and other gambling platforms. Various types of gambling blocking software provide customizable options to block gambling websites and apps.

  1. Dedicated Gambling Blockers (BetBlocker, Gamban, Gamblock): These programs specifically target gambling sites and apps, making them very effective for individuals who need focused blocking. They often have vast lists of known gambling sites and provide constant updates.
  2. General Website Blockers (Net Nanny, K9 Web Protection, Freedom): These blockers can block a broader range of sites, allowing the user to set filters for gambling or other content categories.
  3. Device-Specific Built-In Parental Controls (operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and iOS, have built-in parental controls): These tools are often free and integrated directly into the system, allowing users to restrict access without extra software.

GamStop

GamStop is the UK’s national self-exclusion scheme, which restricts registered users from accessing UK-licensed gambling websites for a set period (six months to five years). Once enrolled, users cannot access any participating sites until the self-exclusion period ends, making GamStop a powerful option for those committed to halting their gambling.

However, one drawback of GamStop is its irreversible nature; once a player enrolls, they cannot lift the restriction until the self-exclusion period ends. This has led to a common issue where some users, after choosing GamStop to limit gambling, later wish to regain access to gambling activities. In such cases, some players opt for non Gamstop casinos — online casinos that operate outside the UK and are therefore not part of the GamStop network. These non-GamStop sites offer a workaround, although it’s essential for users to proceed with caution if they’re genuinely looking to control gambling habits.

Features:

  • Enrolls users via a straightforward online registration.
  • Self-exclusion cannot be reversed before the set period ends.
  • Automatically blocks access to all UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)-licensed sites.

Pros: Free service, comprehensive UK coverage
Cons: Limited to UK-licensed sites, cannot be lifted until the term ends, does not cover offshore or non-UKGC licensed sites

Spelpaus

Spelpaus is Sweden’s self-exclusion system, designed to help Swedish residents restrict access to gambling sites. Like GamStop, Spelpaus is government-backed and blocks access to all gambling sites licensed in Sweden. This is an essential tool for Swedish residents, as it prevents access to all local gambling, whether online or in brick-and-mortar locations.

Features:

  • Free registration through the Swedish Gambling Authority.
  • Covers both online gambling sites and physical casinos in Sweden.
  • Instant activation upon registration.

Pros: Free, effective across Sweden, covers physical and online gambling sites
Cons: Limited to Swedish-licensed sites, no international reach, irreversible during self-exclusion period

Gamban

Gamban is a paid software solution focusing exclusively on blocking gambling sites and apps. It operates internationally, making it ideal for users outside the scope of national self-exclusion programs like GamStop or Spelpaus. With Gamban, users can block a vast database of gambling websites, online casinos, and apps, making it a reliable solution for managing gambling exposure.

Features:

  • Available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
  • Regularly updated gambling database.
  • Provides a trial period for users to test the software.

Pros: Covers gambling sites globally, frequent updates, multi-device compatibility
Cons: Requires subscription after the trial, limited to gambling content only

Gamblock

Gamblock is one of the earliest gambling blockers, focusing solely on gambling-related content. It prevents access to thousands of gambling sites and apps globally, updating its database regularly to maintain comprehensive coverage. Available for desktop and mobile, Gamblock is popular among users needing serious gambling restrictions.

Features:

  • Extensive gambling site and app blocking database.
  • Available on Windows, Android, and other devices.
  • Frequently updates its blocking lists.

Pros: Comprehensive coverage of gambling content, works on multiple devices
Cons: Subscription required, sometimes restrictive for non-gambling content

BetBlocker

BetBlocker is a dedicated gambling-blocking software offered for free, helping users restrict access to a wide array of gambling sites and apps globally. It’s funded by a charitable organization to support those most vulnerable to gambling addiction, with frequent updates to safeguard users from newly emerging gambling sites.

Available for various devices, BetBlocker provides a flexible option for users who need a no-cost, effective gambling block.

Features:

  • Free, multi-device support with frequent updates to include new gambling sites and apps. 
  • Ideal for those seeking a no-cost blocking option across multiple platforms.

Advantages: Free, works on various devices, and regularly updated.
Disadvantages: Limited support, doesn’t allow non-gambling content filtering, and may affect system performance on older devices.

BlockSite

BlockSite is a multi-purpose blocking tool available as a browser extension and mobile app, allowing users to block specific sites, including gambling. It’s ideal for users who want flexible control, as it enables blocking by categories (including gambling) or individually listed sites and can be used for other types of content as well.

Features:

  • Free version with optional paid features.
  • Scheduling features to restrict access at specific times.
  • Also available as a mobile app with customizable settings.

Pros: Free option available, allows for broad content control, scheduling capabilities
Cons: Lacks gambling-specific blocking strength of dedicated blockers, requires manual input

StayFocusd

StayFocusd is a simple, free Chrome browser extension that lets users block or limit the time spent on specific sites, including gambling. Although its usage is restricted to the Chrome browser, StayFocusd is highly customizable, allowing users to specify blocked sites and set time limits for added control.

Features:

  • Customizable settings, including time limits and site-specific blocking.
  • Free, easy to install, and configure.
  • Effective for users seeking browser-only restrictions.

Pros: Free, flexible customization options, effective for Chrome users
Cons: Limited to Chrome browser, requires manual setup of sites to block

Freedom

Freedom is a cross-platform tool designed to block distracting websites and apps, including gambling content, on multiple devices. It offers the flexibility of scheduled blocking and provides an intuitive interface for creating custom blocklists.

Features:

  • Blocks websites and apps across various platforms (desktop, mobile, browser).
  • Users can schedule blocks for specific times and days.
  • Available as a subscription service with a free trial.

Pros: Customizable blocking schedules, works on multiple platforms
Cons: Subscription needed for full features, not gambling-specific but customizable for it

Net Nanny

Net Nanny is a well-known parental control app that provides robust site-filtering capabilities, allowing parents or individuals to restrict access to gambling-related content alongside other categories like adult content and violence. This blocker works across multiple devices, making it useful for families.

Features:

  • Broad category filtering, including gambling.
  • Covers multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers.
  • Requires a subscription with strong customer support.

Pros: Works on multiple devices, detailed filtering controls
Cons: Subscription-based, iOS version has limited features compared to Android

Safe Browsing

Safe Browsing settings on various devices help users block access to risky or potentially harmful sites, indirectly covering some gambling sites. This feature is available on Android, iOS, and desktop browsers like Chrome and Safari, allowing users to enable safer browsing without installing additional software.

Features:

  • Often free, part of device settings or browser configurations.
  • Automatically filters sites flagged as dangerous.

Pros: Free and easy to enable, blocks a broad category of harmful sites
Cons: Limited gambling-specific blocking, not customizable

VPN with Filters

Certain VPN providers offer content-filtering features, allowing users to block specific sites, including gambling. VPNs with filters provide an added layer of security by hiding the user’s location, while the filtering feature restricts gambling site access on a network level.

Features:

  • Provides security through anonymity, alongside content filtering.
  • Ideal for users wanting gambling restriction across networks.

Pros: Security benefits, covers multiple devices on a network
Cons: Paid feature, requires some technical setup

Router Blocking

Router blocking is a network-wide solution that prevents access to specified websites, including gambling sites, on every device connected to the router. This method is ideal for families or workplaces that need a comprehensive approach, as it blocks all connected devices without requiring individual software installation. Many modern routers have built-in parental control features that allow for both URL-specific blocking and category-based restrictions, including gambling.

Features: 

  • Provides network-level blocking across all connected devices, supporting URL-specific or category-based filters. 
  • Suitable for families or workplaces needing centralized control.

Advantages: Covers multiple devices on the network, requires no device-specific software.
Disadvantages: Requires access to router settings, may be bypassed with VPNs, and may not be available on all router models.

Hosts File

The Hosts file is a system file on Windows, macOS, and Linux that maps website URLs to IP addresses. By editing this file, users can redirect gambling site URLs to a non-functional IP address, effectively blocking them on that device. It’s a free, direct method of blocking specific sites without needing third-party software, although it requires some technical knowledge to configure.

Features: 

  • Blocks gambling sites at the device level by redirecting URLs, offering free and customizable blocking. 
  • Ideal for tech-savvy users looking for a lightweight solution.

Advantages: Free, doesn’t require additional software, works offline.
Disadvantages: Requires technical knowledge to set up, needs manual URL input, limited to device-specific blocking.

Google Play Parental Controls

Google Play Parental Controls provide a simple, free method to restrict access to gambling and other age-restricted apps on Android devices. By setting age limits within the Google Play Store, users can block gambling apps from appearing in search results or being downloaded. While it’s mainly designed for parents managing children’s devices, it’s also useful for individuals seeking to limit their own access to gambling apps.

Features: 

  • Blocks gambling apps by age rating, making it easy to prevent access without additional software. 
  • Ideal for Android users wanting to restrict access to gambling apps.

Advantages: Free, easy to set up directly on Android devices.
Disadvantages: Limited to apps on Google Play, does not block gambling websites, and can be easily disabled by adults.

Peculiarities of Blocking Gambling Sites on Different Devices

This section will describe specific challenges and methods for using blockers on various devices.

Blocking Gambling Sites on Android

For Android users, some apps integrate directly into the device’s settings, like Google Play’s parental controls. Blocking gambling sites on Android may require additional tools like BlockSite or Freedom for broader coverage.

Blocking Gambling Sites on iPhone

iPhone users can use the built-in Screen Time feature to restrict gambling websites. However, Screen Time is best for minor restrictions, and more extensive blocking may require apps like Net Nanny.

Blocking Gambling Sites on Computers

On desktops, software like Gamblock or hosts file modifications offer powerful options. StayFocusd is an excellent choice for Chrome users, while editing the hosts file allows broader coverage but requires technical knowledge.

User Preferences for Gambling Site Blocking Methods

Self-Exclusion Programs: Approximately 70% of users seeking to block gambling access have registered for self-exclusion programs in regions where gambling regulation supports it, such as the UK. However, statistics show that most of them return to gambling, bypassing self-isolation systems.

Blocking Software (e.g., Gamban, BetBlocker): Around 50% of users with persistent access needs have opted for dedicated gambling-blocking apps, with software such as Gamban and BetBlocker showing a notable uptick in users, especially on mobile devices.

Parental Control Tools (e.g., Qustodio, Net Nanny): Roughly 30% of individuals, particularly those looking for more general controls on websites and apps, use parental control solutions to limit gambling site access.

ISP or Network-Level Blocking: Approximately 20% of users rely on ISP or network-level restrictions, although accessibility to this option varies widely based on local ISP policies.

Manual Website Blockers (Browser Extensions): About 15% of users utilize browser-based tools or manual configurations to restrict gambling sites, with Chrome and Firefox extensions like BlockSite being among the most popular.

Blocking gambling sites requires different approaches depending on the user’s devices and goals. Dedicated blocking software is the most reliable but often comes with a subscription. Device settings and parental controls provide free alternatives, but they may not offer the same level of coverage. Finally, self-exclusion schemes provide a non-reversible way to limit gambling within specific jurisdictions. By exploring these options, users can select the method that best aligns with their needs for managing or blocking online gambling.