How to Block Gambling Sites on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android

As access to the internet becomes more available, online gambling grows. Various forms of online gambling (like online casino, online slots and sports betting) emerge and flourish. Luckily, there are ways to help stop gambling, such as blocking access to gambling sites. This article will show you how to block gambling sites effectively on computers and phones.

 

How to block gambling sites on Mac and Windows PC

There are two common types of tools for blocking these sites. The general type allows you to restrict any type of unwanted content, such as gambling or social media sites. The dedicated type is designed for restricting gambling sites. I'll talk about both types in the article.

Use Cisdem AppCrypt

Applies to: macOS 10.12 or later; Windows 10 or later

If you are a Mac or Windows user, then the best gambling blocking software for you can be Cisdem AppCrypt, a website blocker and app locker. It lets you control access to any websites, and below is what it offers as a gambling blocker.

• Let you add specific gambling websites to the block list
• Let you block all popular gambling sites with a click
• Let you block all URLs containing any words that you’ve specified, such as “gambling”, “bet”, “casino”, “poker” and “bingo”
• Also let you block all websites except the ones you allow
• Provide password protection so that only people who know the password can unblock websites
• Support Google Chrome, Safari, Edge and some other popular browsers (and allow you to lock any unsupported browsers with a password)

Below are the steps to block gambling websites.

1. Download and install AppCrypt.

Free Download macOS 10.12 or later Free Download Windows 10 or later

2. The first time you open the tool, set a password.

3. On a Mac, click the lock icon in the menu bar and choose Open Main Window. On a Windows PC, simply click the AppCrypt icon in the taskbar.

4. Enter the password to enter the tool's main window.

5. In the Web Block tab, click Exceptions in the bottom right corner.

6. In the Exceptions window that appears, go to the Always Block tab, and do any of the following things:

• Click the Import dropdown menu, then choose the Gambling Sites category. This will add all popular gambling websites to the block list.
• In the URL field, enter a word like “casino” or “slots.” Then, click Add. (See which gambling-related words you can block.)
• In the URL field, enter the domain name (such as bovada.lv) of the gambling site you want to block. Click Add.
• If you have a list of gambling sites, you can click the Import dropdown menu and then choose TXT file to add them to the block list.

From now on, specified gambling sites will be blocked on all supported browsers (e.g., Chrome, Safari, Edge) on this computer. The blocking is permanent as long as AppCrypt is running. To make sure this gambling blocker runs all the time, you can enable Launch at System Startup.

It requires the password to quit AppCrypt, remove websites and words from the block list, or make other changes that can do the unblocking. Therefore, the blocking of gambling sites is effective.

Tip 1: If blocking tons of gambling sites isn’t enough, you can use the "Block all websites" feature. Go to the "Web Block" tab. Enable "Block all websites". This will block all gambling sites, as well as other normal sites. But you can click "Exceptions" to add some allowed sites (like websites needed for work) under the "Always Allow" tab.

Tip 2: I analyzed over 2,000 gambling sites, and here's a list of common keywords found in their domain names. This may help you find out which keywords to add to the block list.

 

Use GamBlock

Applies to: macOS 10.12 or later; Windows 7 or later

If it's not convenient for someone else to set the password for you, you may consider using GamBlock, which has a Protect Myself mode. As the name suggests, GamBlock is a dedicated gambling blocker. It not only blocks a large number of known gambling websites, but also restricts some potential gambling websites by analyzing web content.

1. On GamBlock's official website, go to the Download & Pricing page.

2. Choose your a plan available for your computer, select a subscription duration, and make the payment. Note that the it can be pricy.

3. Download and install GamBlock on your computer. During the installation, a window will appear, prompting you to choose a protection mode and set a password. If you want to block yourself from gambling sites, choose Protect Myself. Note that knowing the password doesn't allow you to bypass blocking.

4. There are two protection levels: Level One and Level Two. Generally the former is recommended.

From now on, if you try to visit a gambling site in your browser, the site won't open.

 

How to block access to gambling sites on Android

If you spend too much time on mobile gambling and want to force yourself to stop, there are some gambling blockers to help you curb online gambling. They can be used to block access to gambling sites and apps.

Use Cisdem AppCrypt

Applies to: Android 8.0 and up

As with its desktop version, you can easily configure AppCrypt for limiting access to gambling sites.

1. Install Cisdem AppCrypt.

GET IT ONGoogle Play

2. When you open it for the first time, please set a PIN or pattern. If you are using it to stop your own access to gambling sites, you can ask someone else, like a family member, to set it for you.

3. Tap the Web Block tab and then do any or all of the following things.

• Add specific gambling sites (such as bet365.com) one by one.
• Add gambling-related keywords (such as betting) one by one.

4. Optionally, go to the App Lock tab to block the gambling apps installed on the device.

Now, the added websites are blocked, and all URLs containing any of the added keywords are also blocked. By default, the blocking is permanent. Although there's a feature that allows users to schedule the blocking, it's recommended to keep it permanent when it comes to blocking gambling sites.

 

Use Bet Blocker

Applies to: Android 6.0 and up

Bet Blocker is dedicated to restricting gambling sites as well as sites that provide information on gambling.

1. Download and install the app.

2. Open the app, and you will be prompted to choose a mode. To use the app for yourself, tap Start in the Gambling Exclusion mode.

3. On the screen that appears, select a preferred exclusion type from two options: a fixed period of time, or a schedule based on the calendar. Tap Next.

4. Specify a period of time or specific days depending on your option in the previous step.

5. Select the checkbox next to the I agree message to confirm you agree that the app will block gambling sites on the device. Tap Next.

6. On the Activate device admin app screen, tap Activate this device admin app. Read the messages about potential risks of doing this and tap Accept.

Note that you should be careful with step 6. Step 6 is necessary if you want the blocking to be effective. However, following the step might cause your phone, especially the network, to malfunction. If you are not comfortable with the fact or not tech-savvy, you can ignore this app.

 

How to limit access to gambling sites on iPhone and iPad

Applies to: iOS 12 or later; iPadOS 13.1 or later

To block access to specific gambling sites and apps for free on an iPhone or iPad, you can use the built-in solution - Screen Time.

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap Screen Time.

3. Tap Turn On Screen Time.

4. On the screen that appears, tap Turn On Screen Time.

5. When asked whether this iPhone is yours or your child's, there are two options: This is My iPhone and This is My Child's iPhone. Selecting the latter can be more effective. However, if the device belongs to an adult (such as your partner), it’s best to discuss it together first.

6. Tap Use Screen Time Passcode and set a 4-digit passcode.

7. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then turn it on. Enter the passcode when prompted.

8. Tap Content Restrictions > Web Content.

9. Select Limit Adult Websites.

10. In the Never Allow section that appears, individually add each gambling site that you want to block. This may take a long time if the block list is long.

Alternatively, select Allowed Websites instead in step 8, then add certain websites to Always Allow. This will restrict all websites except allowed ones.

Blocking will apply to all browsers installed on this iPhone or iPad.

 

How to block gambling websites via router

The above methods talk about how to block gambling websites using gambling blocking apps. While these apps work well on individual devices and offer advanced features, a router-level solution can be more efficient and convenient when you have multiple devices.

This method involves configuring router settings and is suitable for home environments and corporate networks. Some routers have built-in content filtering or parental controls tools. Below is how to use them to restrict gambling websites on all devices connected to your Wi-Fi router.

1. Enter your router’s IP address into a web browser’s address bar. (You can find the address on the back of your router.)

2. Log in with the username and password. Now you have access to your router’s settings.

3. Find settings called Web Filter, URL Filter, Website Filtering, Parental Controls or something similar.

4. Optionally, if your router requires you to add a profile, create a profile and then add all devices used by the person you are helping to stop gambling.

5. Enter the URLs or keywords of the gambling websites to the blacklist one by one. If your router supports blocking websites by category, set it to block the Gambling category.

6. To add an extra layer of restriction, go to the internet settings of your router, add 100.64.0.16 to the Primary DNS field, and 100.64.0.17 to the Secondary DNS. (These addresses are provided by Mullvad VPN AB to help users filter gambling sites for free.)

7. Save your settings.

8. Restart your router.

To stop yourself from accessing gambling sites, it's highly recommended that you ask a person that you trust to change the router password after you finish configuring the settings.

 

Q&As

Is there any way to know if my child is visiting/has visited gambling sites?

Yes, you can download and install an online activity monitor app on your child’s device. For example, iKeyMonitor, which allows you to monitor your child's Internet activities and track his/her web browsing history. Once it finds that your child is visiting inappropriate websites such as gambling, it will send you an email notification.

Some routers also let you see browsing history. Go to your router’s settings page. Look for settings called “History”, “Router history”, or something similar. Then you can check if your child has visited gambling sites.

Can I curb online gambling with the help of my bank?

Many banks are offering services to help customers who have gambling problems to restrict their spending on gambling. It allows you to block any payments to gambling merchant. Different banks have different policies and services on this. You can consult the staff of this bank. I think they’ll be happy to prevent you from having financial problems because of gambling.

 

Conclusion

Online gambling can be addictive. It's easy to access and comes in various forms. Gambling can be interesting, especially considering the potential monetary benefits. If someone starts gambling, it can be easy for the person to be addicted to it.

Overcoming gambling addiction requires great self-control. However, willpower alone may not be enough to stop gambling. This article talks about several ways to block gambling sites on phones and computers. I hope it helps. If you have a severe gambling addiction, you may need to seek professional help.