If you’re serious about quitting gambling, one of the most effective methods is to block betting sites at the router level. This way, you can prevent access to these sites on all devices connected to your home network meaning both your phone and your computer. The more ways you can block yourself and make it more difficult the better. Your future self will thank your present self for taking the time to set this up.
HINT: You can also ask someone like GeekSquad to do this for you if they’re installing a new router for you or a family member. Just show them this post! It’s very easy for them to set this up.
Using software like BetBlocker can sometimes backfire—it can lock you out of useful sites, endanger your phone by blocking business apps, and you might end up needing a factory reset to fix things. Plus, BetBlocker forces you to agree to a time period for the ban, which can last even if you want to sell the device, adding another layer of hassle.
Read to the bottom because I’m going to attach a list of the top gambling sites to ban in the follow up post.
Here’s how to block betting sites at the router level for some of the most common routers, including Eero:
TP-Link Router
- Access Your Router Settings:
- Open your web browser and type your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
- Log in with your admin username and password (often on a sticker on the router).
- Navigate to URL Blocking:
- Go to “Parental Controls” or “Access Control.”
- Add Betting Sites:
- Under URL Filtering, add the sites using wildcards to cover subdomains:
*.bet365.com,*.williamhill.com,*.betfair.com,*.paddypower.com,*.fanduel.com,*.draftkings.com.
- Apply Changes:
- Save the settings and reboot the router if necessary.
Netgear Router
- Access Your Router Settings:
- Open your web browser and type your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1).
- Log in with your admin username and password.
- Navigate to Block Sites:
- Go to “Advanced” > “Security” > “Block Sites.”
- Add Betting Sites:
- Enter the betting site URLs with wildcards:
*.bet365.com,*.williamhill.com,*.betfair.com,*.paddypower.com,*.fanduel.com,*.draftkings.com.
- Apply Changes:
- Save the settings and reboot the router if necessary.
Eero Router
- Access Eero App:
- Open the Eero app on your smartphone.
- Navigate to Content Filtering:
- Go to “Settings” > “Family Profiles” > “Add a Profile.”
- Add Betting Sites:
- Create a profile and add the devices you want to filter.
- Under “Advanced Settings,” add websites to block using wildcards:
*.bet365.com,*.williamhill.com,*.betfair.com,*.paddypower.com,*.fanduel.com,*.draftkings.com.
- Apply Changes:
- Save the profile and settings.
Asus Router
- Access Your Router Settings:
- Open your web browser and type your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1).
- Log in with your admin username and password.
- Navigate to URL Blocking:
- Go to “Advanced Settings” > “Firewall” > “URL Filter.”
- Add Betting Sites:
- Enter the URLs using wildcards:
*.bet365.com,*.williamhill.com,*.betfair.com,*.paddypower.com,*.fanduel.com,*.draftkings.com.
- Apply Changes:
- Save the settings and reboot the router if necessary.
Linksys Router
- Access Your Router Settings:
- Open your web browser and type your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1).
- Log in with your admin username and password.
- Navigate to Access Restrictions:
- Go to “Access Restrictions” > “Internet Access Policy.”
- Add Betting Sites:
- Create a new policy and add the sites to block using wildcards:
*.bet365.com,*.williamhill.com,*.betfair.com,*.paddypower.com,*.fanduel.com,*.draftkings.com.
- Apply Changes:
- Save the settings and reboot the router if necessary.
Benefits of Router-Level Blocking
- All Devices Covered: Blocks access on all devices connected to your network.
- No Software Conflicts: Avoids issues with app restrictions and potential lockouts.
- More Control: Easier to manage and update the list of blocked sites.
By taking these steps, you can create a safer online environment that supports your journey to quit gambling. Stay strong and keep moving forward!
