Gambling Blocker Software: Your Definitive Guide
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At KingCasinoBonus we’re keen to promote responsible gambling, and when the fun stops, it really is important to stop. Problem gambling can be devastating on a person’s life and, like all forms of addiction, it doesn’t discriminate.
Looking after yourself and checking in with your gambling activity on the regular is important in ensuring you’re playing responsibly, within your limits and it isn’t affecting your day-to-day life, whether that be responsibilities, relationships, career or anything else.
If that is becoming the case, there are a number of steps you can take, including exploring the idea of gambling blocking software, which can help manage gambling habits and allow you to effectively take a step away from online casinos.
On this page
What is Gambling Blocking Software?
Gambling blocking software are incredibly simple concepts to grasp. They’re essentially tools that are designed to prevent you from browsing any gambling websites online. There are a range of products out there that are specific to gambling, which allows people with problem gambling to browse the web as they would usually, with the only exception being they are now unable to access gambling content.
You can typically download the software to all devices these days, including smartphones, laptops and tablets, with the software working by preventing people from visiting blacklisted sites, as well as intelligently recognising what sites may be problematic, and what may not.
For example, gambling blocker software would stop you from visiting an online casino. However, it would not prevent you from seeking ‘problem gambling help’, which may be the case across more generic blockers and parental controls.
Often they will also include ad-blocking features which can further prevent any gambling adverts and temptations being directed towards you.
Top Gambling Blocking Software 2024
Blocker Software | Features | Compatible With | Ease of Use | Pricing |
---|---|---|---|---|
BetBlocker | Over 78,000 gambling sites blocked, runs quietly in background | All major devices and operating systems | Takes two minutes to set up, with no registration required | FREE |
Gamban | Multi-layered protection, difficult to remove, continually updating blocklist | All major devices and operating systems | Simple set-up, with a range of subscription options | From £2.49 per month FREE through TalkBanStop |
Net Nanny | Generic blocker that includes gambling blocker, as well as screen time management, social media protection and parental controls | All major devices and operating systems | Easy to use, can be monitored remotely, ideal for not just gambling but any families too | From $39.99 per year |
GamBlock | Has a blacklist of sites as well as searching the data of each page | All major devices and operating systems | A little more complex to find the right package for you, with a wealth of options, but easy to use once installed | Varies depending on package |
Freedom | Gambling blocker, schedule setter, range of packages, browser extension with range of features | All major devices and operating systems | Can download in a few minutes and get set up. Dashboard is clean and settings can be toggled easily. | From $3.33 per month |
BetQuit | Fast filtering, easy installation, regular updates, 24/7 support, Huge database of blacklisted sites | Only available on iOS and Android | Easy to download across all platforms and a range of support options to guide you through if needed. | iOS: $5 per month Android: $8.99 per month |
Goodbye Gambling | Over 7,000 sites/apps blocked | Android, Windows and Mac devices. Not available on iOS. | Easy to download for applicable devices, simple app that allows you to select sites to block. | $5 per month |
BetBlocker
BetBlocker is one of the most highly recommended gambling blockers on the market and requires no registration and is incredibly quick to set up. The registered charity has over 5,500 active devices using the service, and has blocked almost 80,000 gambling sites and apps to keep their users safe.
Features
Naturally, the main feature of BetBlocker is indeed the gambling blocker, which can be installed across desktop, smartphone and tablet devices, with it compatible with most devices.
BetBlocker runs quietly in the background of devices, while you can also schedule when you wish to have it turned on, meaning you can toggle it to purely times of vulnerability or restricting it completely, 24/7.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- A huge volume of sites and apps blocked
- It’s completely free to use
- Calendar tool can help you preempt moments of vulnerability
Cons:
- Few other features aside from gambling blocker
Pricing
The BetBlocker tool is completely free of charge and can be downloaded across all devices.
Gamban
Gamban is a global piece of software that’s available on all major platforms and devices. IT offers a range of features and is a solid option for anyone wanting to instantly block themselves from tens of thousands of online casinos, bookmakers and gambling sites.
Features
There are a wealth of features that come with Gamban, from the standard gambling blocker to additional support resources, and a layered approach that not only provides help in blocking sites, but also other forms of self-exclusion, such as using GAMSTOP.
What’s more, users can monitor their progress, allowing them to be accountable for their sobriety, tracking how long a person has been gambling free and even how much money that’s saved during that period.
However, it is also worth noting that Gamban does not block the following:
- Gambling adverts
- Investment websites
- Adult content
- Sports info platforms
- Loot boxes
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- A range of features
- Rigid gambling blocker
- Reasonable pricing structure
Cons:
- Doesn’t block gambling adverts
Pricing
While there is the option for a monthly subscription of £2.49 per month or £24.99 annually, UK residents can download Gamban for free when doing so through TalkBanStop, a scheme from GamCare that helps people give up gambling.
You can find out more information by clicking here.
Net Nanny
Net Nanny isn’t just a gambling blocker, but more a generic website blocker and parental control tool that is one of the most popular on the market. Part of the SafeToNet company, it has a larger range of features than your standard gambling blockers, but at the same time the gambling blocker isn’t as rigid as those that are specifically designed to aid problem gambling.
Features
As Net Nanny is more of a parental control tool, there are a wide range of features that can be utilised, some of which aren’t as applicable when using purely as a gambling blocker. That said, if you have a family at home, it can be a useful all-in-one package and is available across all major devices and operating systems.
Among the key features of the software are:
- Website blocker
- Location tracker
- Internet filter
- Screen time management
- Parental dashboard
- App blocker
- Social media protection
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Large range of features
- Can be used also as parental control
- Can also manage screen time
Cons:
- Gambling blocker not as rigid as specifically designed gambling blockers
Pricing
As an all-in-one package, Net Nanny is good value, with packages starting at $39.99 for one device that’s either a PC or Mac. However, if you want a Family Protection Pass allowing you to install the software on five devices, including smartphones and tablets, this will set you back at $54.99, while 20 devices is priced at $89.99 for the year.
What’s worth noting is that these are all discounted prices currently, with the usual costs as follows:
- One Device (PC or Mac): $49.99 per year
- Five Devices: $79.99 per year
- 20 Devices: $129.99 per year
GamBlock
GamBlock is a simple to install tool that allows players to set up self-exclusion for a period of one to five years, while on smartphone that period can be shortened. It’s effective in restricting players, blocking websites based upon what’s been blacklisted as well as webpage based analysis.
Features
The main feature of GamBlock is the gambling blocking software and there isn’t a huge amount more to it than that. However, there are a few advanced features that allow users to block further content, such as fantasy sports, cryptocurrency-related services and content and stock trading.
It’s a difficult product to uninstall, in line with ensuring problem gamblers are kept safe, with it only possible to uninstall the blocker prior to the licence period ending if you have a gambling counsellor present.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Really rigid gambling blocker
- Ability to also block other speculative means of making money
Cons:
- Slow customer support
- Can sometimes block other sites outside of gambling
- One of the more expensive tools
Pricing
GamBlock is one of the more expensive tools out there, but it is also one of the strongest in terms of its gambling blocker software. Prices vary significantly depending on what you’re looking for, with some packages priced at upwards of $100 for the year. Your best option is to explore all available and make the right choice for your needs.
You can find out more about pricing by clicking here.
Freedom
Freedom is another tool that doesn’t just specialise in gambling, but a wealth of different sites and niches. It’s designed to encourage a healthier relationship with the internet, and it does that through a variety of features.
Features
Among the main features of Freedom is the ability to block websites and apps. You can do this by specific websites or choose one of the preset lists based upon categories, such as gambling or social media.
Users can schedule in when you wish to block them, or have it continually switched on, and it can be synced across all the devices you own. What’s more, you can block the internet as a whole if you really need a digital detox, while there are locked modes that can also prevent you from dipping into the software when vulnerable and turning off the gambling blocker.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Large number of features beyond the gambling blocker
- Keep notes of your browsing
- Allows you to develop blocklists
Cons:
- Much easier to switch off gambling blocker compared to other tools
Pricing
There are several packages that can be purchased from Freedom, with the Premium package the most popular for individuals. You can subscribe for different periods of time, with the costings as follows:
- Rolling monthly: $8.99 per month
- Yearly: $3.33 per month but billed annually at $39.99
- Forever: $199 and billed once
You will often find discounts for the packages, while it is also possible to claim a seven day free trial.
BetQuit
BetQuit is available across iOS and Android and operating systems and has several features that provides it with a high performance and one of the best services out there for gambling blocking.
Features
It’s easy to install and is regularly updating, an important feature given the large number of online casino sites that launch what almost feels daily!
It’s user friendly, and has a huge database of blocked sites alongside the ability for users to insert their own. Support is quick and available round the clock, while it’s also difficult to remove the blocker, ideal for those with problem gambling.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Large database of blocked sites
- Good level of support 24/7
Cons:
- Few features outside gambling blocker
- Not available on Windows and Mac presently
Pricing
BetQuit is only available on iOS and Mac with the prices varying for each. At present, it’s $8.99 per month on Android devices, and $5 per month for iOS. It is believed that BetQuit for Windows and Mac are coming soon, although no pricing is currently available.
Goodbye Gambling
Goodbye Gambling is available across a range of devices (not iOS) and offers different settings for how long you wish to be excluded from the gambling website. It isn’t as rigid as other gambling blockers, with only 7,000 sites blocked across websites and apps.
Features
The Goodbye Gambling tool provides just a basic gambling blocker and doesn’t offer many features beyond that. It is, however, easy to download and can be set up in just a few minutes.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Available across most devices
Cons:
- Fewer prohibited sites than other blockers
- Not available on Apple mobile and tablet devices
Pricing
Goodbye Gambling offers a three day free trial, with a subscription then costing $5 per month. This is across all platforms it’s available on.
How KingCasinoBonus Reviews Gambling Blocking Software
Promoting responsible gambling is a core principle of ours and providing you with the best tools to tackle problem gambling is incredibly important to us.
The recommendations above are the best options currently on the market and are best on in-depth testing and a significant reviewing process. We take into a variety of factors before providing you with a recommended gambling blocker, including:
- Effectiveness: We look at how effective the software is in blocking gambling websites and apps across different browsers and devices.
- Ease of Use: During times of need, the gambling blocker software needs to be simple to download and easy to switch the blocker on, as well as being difficult to turn off! We look for clean, simple designs that promote a user-friendly feel.
- Features: We look for a range of features, but at the same time the core focus of the product should be the blocker. However, various parameters, tracking and additional features can also elevate the software.
- Pricing: We look for cost-effectiveness. Whether they’re free tools offering the basics or more expensive but offer a wider range of features that can aid people with problem gambling.
- User Feedback & Reviews: Of course, we explore what those using the tools regularly to support their compulsive gambling have to say about the tools.
- Customer Support: We expect strong levels of customer support and ideally look for tools that offer help 24/7.
- Privacy & Security: Privacy is paramount. We explore how the software handles data and the privacy policies in place when handling and protecting personal information.
KingCasinoBonus Recommendation: Gamban
While all the tools above offer a good layer of protection for players with gambling problems, Gamban provides players with the strongest layer of protection combined with the wide range of features available that can further help people combat their addiction.
What’s more, if you download the software via TalkBanStop, it is completely free of charge and part of a wider support package to get a person’s life back on track.