As access to Internet becomes more available, online gambling grows. Various forms of online gambling (like online casino, online slots and sports betting) emerge and flourish. Being addicted to online gambling can lead to time wasting, money losses and health problems and negatively impact your life and work. There are ways to stop gambling, such as blocking access to gambling sites. This article will show you how to block gambling sites effectively on computers and phones.
Cisdem AppCrypt
Free Download macOS 10.12 or later 
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
Applies to: macOS 10.12 or later; Windows 7 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. Below is what it offers as a gambling blocker.
Below are the steps to block gambling websites.
1. Download and install AppCrypt.
Free Download macOS 10.12 or later Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
2. When you open it for the first time, set a password. (It’s recommended to select the Launch at System Startup checkbox.)
3. On a Mac, click the lock icon in the menu bar. Choose Open Main Window.
On a Windows PC, click the AppCrypt icon in the taskbar.
4. Enter the password to access the main window.
5. Under the Web Block tab, click Exceptions in the bottom right corner.
6. In the Exceptions window that appears, go to the Always Block tab.
7. Do any or all of the following things.
This is how to block gambling sites on Chrome and more browsers permanently. As long as AppCrypt is running, the blocking is permanent. That’s why I recommend enabling the "Launch at System Startup" feature in step 2. 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: To prevent yourself from accessing gambling websites, you can ask a trusted person (like a family member or friend) to set the password in step 2. Without knowing the password, you won’t be able to bypass the blocking.
Tip 2: 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.
AppCrypt also allows you to block certain web content at certain times and do more like blocking apps.
Using hosts file. Here’s a free way to block specific gambling sites on computer - by editing the hosts file. It is a text file used in operating systems to map hostnames to IP addresses. On Mac computer, you can find the hosts file in the /etc/hosts folder and edit it using the Terminal app. On a Windows PC, it is located at C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts. To block a gambling website, find the site’s domain name. Using hosts file to map it to an invalid IP address. This method is a bit cumbersome, especially for users who are not tech-savvy.
Using GamBlock. GamBlock is a well-known online gambling blocking software. It can not only block a large number of known gambling websites, but also block some potential gambling websites by analyzing web content. This application is a bit pricey.
Applies to: Android 8.0 and up
If you spend too much time on mobile gambling and want to force yourself to stop, Cisdem AppCrypt may help. It can be used to block access to gambling sites and apps. It’s not a dedicated gambling blocker but may help you curb online gambling.
Below is how to use Cisdem AppCrypt to block gambling websites on Android.
1. Install Cisdem AppCrypt.
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.
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.
Applies to: iOS 16 or later; iPadOS 16 or later
To block access to specific gambling sites and apps for free on an iPhone or iPad, you can use AppCrypt. Below is how to use it to do the blocking.
1. Install AppCrypt.
2. In the Web Block tab, add the specific gambling sites that you want to make inaccessible one by one.
3. In the Preferences tab, enable the Adult Blocking option.
4. Tap Notifications in Preferences and then turn it on. Enable the Notification unlock option and set a PIN when prompted.
To prevent your own access to gambling sites, you can ask someone else, such as a family member, to set the PIN for you.
It requires the PIN to access or change AppCrypt settings. For example, people who don't know the PIN are not able to turn off the blocking of specific sites, remove sites from the block list, etc.
Tip: If there are gambling sites on your iPhone, you can uninstall them and then use AppCrypt's Deny App Installation feature to prevent them from being installed again.
In above methods, we explored how to block gambling websites using gambling blocking apps. While these applications work well on a single device and offers many advanced features, router-level solutions are more efficient and convenient when you have multiple devices. Some routers have a built-in content filtering or parental controls tool, which allows you to block access to harmful content including gambling websites on all devices connected to the Wi-Fi router.
This method is not only suitable for home environments, but also for corporate and public networks. Below you can find the setup process. Note that the features and options available and the process may vary for different routers.
1. Enter your router’s IP address into a web browser’s address bar.
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. 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.
5. Save your settings.
6. 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 password of your router after you finish configuring router settings.
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.
Online gambling can be addictive. It’s easy to access and comes in various forms. Gambling is interesting, especially considering the potential monetary benefits. If someone starts gambling, it can be easy for the person to be addicted to gambling.
Overcoming gambling addiction requires great self-control. However, willpower alone may not be enough to help one stop gambling. This article talks about several ways on how to block gambling sites on phones and computers. I hope it helps. If you have a severe gambling addiction, you might need to seek professional help.
Norah Hayes likes to share her tips on how to improve focus and stay motivated at work. She believes it is essential to eliminate all online distractions during work hours.
Hermann Schmidt
Recommend AppCrypt. I like the simplicity of this tool. And it works very well!