How to block gambling websites: 5 methods that work

Blocking gambling websites removes the easiest route back to gambling. You set a barrier between yourself and the sites, making it harder to gamble on impulse. This guide explains how to block access on your phone, computer and router, what national blocking schemes do, and where to get help if you need it.

Browser-level blocking on your computer

Most browsers let you block specific websites through their settings or extensions. In Chrome, Edge and Firefox, you add the addresses of gambling sites to a restricted list. The browser then refuses to load those pages.

This method works for blocking a handful of known sites quickly. It does not cover new sites you have not added, and someone with access to the browser settings can remove the block. Extensions designed for focus or parental control often include site-blocking features and may let you set a password to prevent changes.

Steps to block sites in your browser

1. Open your browser settings and locate the section for site permissions or content restrictions.
2. Add the full web addresses of gambling sites you want blocked, including any you have used recently.
3. Install a blocking extension if your browser does not have built-in restrictions, and set a password if the extension allows it.
4. Test the block by trying to visit one of the sites you listed.

Device-level restrictions on phones and tablets

Smartphones and tablets let you restrict website access through the device's own settings. On iOS, Screen Time includes a content filter for adult websites, and you can add specific addresses to block. Android offers similar controls through Digital Wellbeing or Family Link, depending on the version.

Device-level blocks work across all browsers and apps on that device. Setting a Screen Time passcode or a separate PIN for Digital Wellbeing stops you from undoing the block in a weak moment. The restrictions stay in place even if you install a new browser.

Router blocking for your home network

Your home router can block websites for every device connected to it. You log into the router's admin panel through a web browser, find the section for parental controls or content filtering, and add the gambling site addresses there. The router refuses to route traffic to those sites from any phone, tablet or computer on your network.

This method covers everyone in the household and works without configuring individual devices. The drawback is that it does not follow you outside your home, and anyone with the router admin password can change the settings. If you share the home with others, explain what you are doing so they understand why certain sites no longer load.

National self-exclusion schemes

GamStop is the national self-exclusion scheme for gambling sites licensed in Great Britain. You register once at gamstop.co.uk, and every licensed site must block your access for the period you choose. The scheme covers online betting, bingo and slots, and lasts for six months, one year or five years. You cannot reverse it once you register.

GamStop works only for sites that hold a Gambling Commission licence. It does not block unlicensed sites or social media, and it does not stop you from creating new accounts with false details, though doing so breaches the terms of every licensed site. The scheme gives you a single point of control across the licensed market, which is more complete than blocking sites one by one.

Dedicated blocking software

Software built specifically to block gambling covers more ground than browser or device settings. Gamban is a subscription service that blocks gambling sites and apps across your devices. It runs in the background, updates its block list automatically, and requires a password to uninstall. BetBlocker is a free alternative available at betblocker.org, working on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.

These tools block thousands of gambling sites without you having to list each one. They also block app stores and search results that lead to gambling. The software monitors what you try to access and stops it before the page loads. Gamban charges a monthly fee; BetBlocker is free but relies on donations.

What blocking software covers

Blocking software stops access to known gambling websites, mobile apps and some advertising. It works across browsers and does not rely on a single device setting you might disable later. The software updates its database as new gambling sites appear, so you do not need to add them manually.

No blocking tool is perfect. Determined users can find workarounds, and new unlicensed sites may not appear in the database immediately. Blocking software works best as part of a wider plan that includes support and changes to your routine.

Shared devices and family networks

If you share a computer, phone or internet connection with others, blocking gambling sites affects everyone on that device or network. Let the people you live with know what you are doing. They may need access to their own accounts for work or hobbies that overlap with restricted sites, and explaining the block avoids confusion.

Parental control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio blocks content by category rather than individual addresses, and you can apply different rules to different user accounts. This approach works for families where some members need restrictions and others do not. The software requires a subscription and installation on each device.

Combining methods for stronger barriers

Using several blocking methods together makes it harder to slip back. You might register with GamStop, install blocking software, and set router-level restrictions at the same time. Each layer covers gaps the others leave, and removing all the blocks takes more effort than undoing one.

The right combination depends on which devices you use most and where you need the strongest barrier. A phone you carry everywhere may need software rather than relying on home router settings. A computer shared with flatmates may need user-level restrictions rather than a system-wide block.

If you want to understand the full range of steps that help break the gambling habit, read how to stop gambling online for a broader plan. For more about what national schemes like GamStop cover, see how gambling helplines work to learn about the support available alongside blocking tools.

Getting support

Blocking websites is a practical step, not a cure. If you are struggling to control your gambling, talking to someone trained in gambling support makes a difference. GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, free and open all day and night. You can also visit gamcare.org.uk or begambleaware.org for online chat and advice. Gordon Moody at gordonmoody.org.uk offers residential and online treatment for people who need more intensive help.

Gambling is for people aged 18 and over. If you live with someone under 18, the parental control software listed earlier also blocks gambling content from their devices.

#Blocking software #Self-exclusion

Download PDF: Website blocking checklist PDF, 26 KB