For people that suffer from gambling addiction, knowing how to block gambling websites is a very important step, irrespective of whether they use a free blocker or pay for a service. It is quite a vital part of the road to recovery.
Based on the annual report by the Gambling Commission, it has been found that roughly 0.5% of gamblers can be classified as ‘problem gamblers’. In the UK, this percentage is higher – about 2.7% or nearly 1.4 million people.
However, only 9,000 of these people were treated for gambling issues in 2019-20, based on the report provided by GambleAware. If you feel that you are facing this problem, you can start blocking these gambling sites so that you will have a clean break to stop gambling and reassess your habits.
What is BetBlocker?
As mentioned above, the ever-growing gambling addiction in the UK has created the need for blockers for online gambling sites. The demand for such apps has resulted in the creation of BetBlocker. The development of BetBlocker means that you will be prevented from gaining access to gambling sites.
BetBlocker is a charity app developed in Scotland in 2017 and can be downloaded for free. This app is quite popular among gamblers who want to take a long break from gambling. This free tool can help you control your gambling impulses; you can install the app on several devices.
Once you have registered on BetBlocker, you will be able to block more than 13,000 gambling websites, including most of the non-Gamstop sites. You can also select the duration of the block, which ranges between 2-3 days, a few weeks, and up to five years.
The blocking application also provides a Parental Control Setting, that will allow you to toggle the app on or off with the help of a password. This way, parents can have more control and stop minors from accessing gambling sites as well as not hamper their own gambling experience.
BetBlocker works exactly the same as other gambling site blockers; this means that once the app has been activated, there is no way to undo it. However, how does this amazing application work? In this article, we will talk about everything that you need to know about BetBlocker. Additionally, we will also talk about whether the app can be uninstalled or not once it gets activated.
How does Betblocker work?
Before we get into the gist of how to remove BetBlocker, we first need to know how the app works. As said before, BetBlocker is considered the best option to prevent punters from gaining access to gambling sites operating in the UK as well as outside the country.
How do I set BetBlocker up?
The first thing that you need to do is download the app on the device that you use for gambling, be it your computer or your mobile device. Once the application has been installed, you simply need to tap the app to start. Next, you need to select the gambling sites that you want to block and set the duration as well. As mentioned previously, you can set the block duration between 24 hours and five years.
Additionally, you will also be provided with the ‘Block Gambling Operator Sites’ option. This will exclude you from all gambling websites and for a duration that you like. You simply need to confirm the exclusion. You also need to remember that you will be unable to undo the action before the exclusion date is up. This exclusion will be in effect, even if you learn how to delete BetBlocker from your devices.
Can I remove BetBlocker?
Unfortunately, similar to all gambling site blocking applications like NetNanny and BetFilter, the BetBlocker gambling site blocker does not allow the users to bypass its functions. There is no way to cancel your subscription at BetBlocker.
The app has been designed as a tool to prevent problematic gamblers fight gambling addiction. Therefore, if the punters have decided to exclude themselves from gambling, they will be unable to undo their actions. This feature is added to the app so that the gamblers do not fall back into old habits. Therefore, if the gambler removes the application from their devices, they will still be unable to visit the gambling sites, at least until the exclusion period is over.
However, there are some unconventional methods that you can use to at least get around BetBlocker. Of course, we do not recommend that you use these methods if you are a gambling addict. On the other hand, if you have become more of a controlled gambler before the end of the exclusion date, you can try these methods out:
1. Use Another Device
While you will have to register an account to use BetBlocker on your devices, it is not necessary that you install the application on all your devices. Therefore, if you have not installed the app on any of your desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, or tablets, you can still gamble using that device, whether you plan on visiting UK-based online casinos or non-UK ones.
2. Wager On Non-BetBlocker Sportsbooks
While the app does block more than 13,000 online gambling sites, there are a lot more sites that are available from different parts of the world that accept punters from the UK. Most of the new gambling platforms today are non-Gamstop sites and are recommended because these sites cannot be easily blocked by any blocking software.
3. Place Bets On Betting Shops
BetBlocker is a software that only applies to online gambling sites. Therefore, it cannot stop you from visiting land-based betting shops to place your bets. This is considered one of the best ways to continue gambling, even if you cannot visit any online betting site.
4. Wait For The Duration Of The Exclusion To Get Done
Finally, you have the option to do the most logical thing – wait for the exclusion period to get over. In this case, you can pick up any other hobby to pass the time. Once the exclusion period is over, you will be in a much better frame of mind. You can now start gambling again with more control.
What platforms is BetBlocker available on?
You will find that the BetBlocker app can be downloaded for a wide range of operating systems. For BetBlocker mobile, the app can be downloaded for Android, iOS, and Windows devices. In the case of computer devices, the app can be used on Mac and Windows computers. Additionally, BetBlocker can also be used for rarely-used devices like Huawei, Fire OS, and Linux.
Additionally, there are no limits to the number of devices that you can install the app on. Also, there is no limit on the number of times since the app can be downloaded and installed for free.
I am registered with GamStop, should I use BetBlocker as well?
It is recommended that you use BetBlocker rather than GamStop. This is because BetBlocker offers more protection against problematic gambling. However, it is always better that you utilize both sources. Increasing your protection against gambling addiction should be the main priority, especially in such a testing time.
If you have the will to do it, you will not be able to access any type of gambling service. If you try to use another device to access the betting sites, you need to use both BetBlocker as well as GamStop to stop you from derailing from your progress.
What do I do if the site I want to restrict is not on the BetBlocker restricted list?
As mentioned previously, the application prevents gamblers from accessing any of the 13,000 online gambling sites once they have registered for the services. Of course, there are many other international gambling websites available that are not on the restricted list of BetBlocker. If these sites are not present in the list, you can access them on your devices.
Some sites that you can visit and are not on the BetBlocker restricted list include:
- Slots Shine Sportsbook
- MyStake
- Lady Linda Casino
- Slots Club Sportsbook
- Sloty Sports
- Spider Slots
- Anonym Bet
- Billion Vegas
- Fortune Clock Sportsbook
- Roletto.
FAQ
BetBlocker Is Not Working – What Should I Do?
At times, you may notice that the BetBlocker application has stopped working or not responding. One of the main reasons why the app is not working is that you have failed to activate the VPN on your devices, like your smartphone or your computer.
In such cases, it is recommended that you shut down the application and restart it. However, ensure that your VPN connection is open. Once done, you can check whether the app is working by trying to open any gambling website.
Alternatively, you can also try clearing the DNS cache of your web or mobile browser. Once done, you can check whether the application has started working or not.
What Is The Legitimacy of BetBlocker?
While the platform may be free to download and use, it is quite a legit app. It is quite a decent software that will successfully serve the purpose it was designed for. You can use this software to control your gambling urges by blocking all gambling websites.
The features you see on this application are quite capable of blocking gambling websites. Additionally, you also have the choice to download and install the app on a wide range of devices at the same time and it works on all types of operating systems and devices. While you do have the choice to look for gambling sites that are not under the radar of BetBlocker, you need to understand that the app blocks more than 13,000 betting sites, which will make this job much harder.
What Is The Method To Remove BetBlocker From Your iOS And Android Devices?
As said before, you do have the choice to remove the BetBlocker application from your mobile devices. However, the exclusion will be done as soon as the exclusion date is over. Once the exclusion has been activated, you will not be able to delete the application from your device.
Once the exclusion period is done, you can remove the BetBlocker application as how you would remove any other application from your mobile device. All you need to do is drag the app to the top of the mobile screen to uninstall it. Additionally, you should not forget to uncheck the admin privileges from the BetBlocker application; to do this, you need to head over to the Settings menu. There, the app will be uninstalled successfully from your device.
