How to Block Gambling Sites on Android
A lot of people are using Android smartphones to access gambling websites and play games of chance. While this can be a harmless activity when done in moderation, excessive online gambling can become a serious problem that quickly spirals out of control. Users who start developing an addiction need to take direct action and limit their exposure to risk, and blocking all casino and betting sites on mobile phones is an important step in this direction. This article will show you how to do that.
Ways to Block Gambling Sites on Android
There are several technical options for banishing gambling content from your phone’s screen for a set period of time or permanently. They are all relatively simple to execute, and provide broad assurance that the player will stay away from gambling websites. The choice of the best method depends on the type of phone you have, your level of IT knowledge, reasons for the block, etc.
Use the “Block Site” Chrome Extension
Browser extensions are perhaps the easiest way to prevent your device from accessing any websites on the internet. In particular, the Block Site extension for Google Chrome is the best choice if you want to prevent access to specific websites. This extension is free to install, and once it is activated it automatically blocks the listed web addresses. However, this only works with Chrome and doesn’t prevent the user from accessing the site from a different browser.
Use Third-Party Android Apps
Several third-party applications can be installed on your phone that will effectively block you from gambling sites. Some of these applications have been developed specifically for the UK market and have the official blessing of the UKGC. Here are the best responsible gambling apps that are currently available to British punters.
Gamban
This app has a multi-layered approach to self-exclusion and provides players with lots of different options that can help to stay within the reasonable limits of play. You can use GamBan for free for a period of seven days, after which the service is charged £2.49 per month. This app works on both iPhones and Androids.
GamBlock
As probably the most widely known self-exclusion app in Britain, GamBlock has a growing number of dedicated users. It is increasingly viewed as a crucial tool in the fight to reduce compulsive gambling. With GamBlock, you can proactively and permanently block all gambling sites and apps for a specific time frame so that you are not even tempted to use them.
BetBlocker
UK players looking for an alternative solution could turn to the BetBlocker Android app. BetBlocker can be downloaded from Google Play Store and installed in less than 2 minutes, and it has the ability to block nearly 80,000 gambling websites. Anyone facing compulsive gambling issues would be wise to have this app on his phone.
NetNanny
While this web filtering software is intended primarily to let parents control their kids’ activities online, it can serve as a responsible gambling tool as well. NetNanny can block specific websites and set screen time limits, which can help some players to keep their mobile gambling habits in check.
Use the OpenDNS Service for Android
OpenDNS content filtering service for Android provides another way to block gambling websites. To do this, you need to activate the service and choose gambling as the category you want to restrict. Since the list of websites in this category is constantly updated by the users, this method may deliver the most complete results. It’s also not very complex in a technical sense, and once you learn how to modify the Wi-Fi settings of your phone it won’t take more than a few minutes to do it.
GamStop: Block All Gambling Sites at Once
GamStop is the most popular self-exclusion tool in Britain, due largely to its ability to block all gambling platforms with a single move. Merely by registering for this service, you immediately lose access to any casino or bookmaking website that is registered in the UK.
However, there is a weakness of this tool that can be exploited. Since some offshore casinos not on GamStop accept players from the United Kingdom, GamStop is ineffective in preventing players from going there. These websites would have to be added manually with one of the other tools we described above for the ban to be extended to offshore domains.
FAQ
Can I block gambling sites on my Android device without installing additional apps?
If you want to avoid installing any apps, you can rely on the settings of your browser to block specific websites. Open the ‘Site settings’ tab from the Settings menu in Google Chrome, then enter the addresses of the websites that need to be blocked. This approach is slightly more time consuming than blocking all sites at one with a self-exclusion Android app.
What are some other effective apps for blocking gambling sites on Android?
More and more excellent tools for web filtering are becoming available recently, so if you are not completely satisfied with GamStop you have other options at hand. Some of the most highly touted apps from this category include ‘Stay Focused’ and ‘Freedom’, but you should be aware these are not designed specifically for gamblers.
Can I get off GamStop earlier if I want to access a gambling site?
No, you can’t get the block removed until the time is up. The whole point of this program is to keep the player away from casino sites for the entire duration of the self-exclusion period. You can’t just cancel GamStop because you changed your mind, as many gamblers are tempted to do after a while.
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