How to block gambling sites and apps on iPhone

Your iPhone already has strong tools for limiting what you can open, and a dedicated blocker builds on them. Here are the steps that work, from the most complete to the simplest. You can combine several of them.

1. Use a dedicated gambling blocker

KuSon is a self-exclusion app for people who want to stop gambling. You set it up on your own iPhone and tap Lock all gambling. It uses Apple's Screen Time and a website filter, so the lock works across the whole phone.

While the lock is on, KuSon:

• hides gambling apps from a regularly updated list, and lets you add other apps you want gone;
• blocks gambling and betting websites in Safari and in other apps;
• stops apps from being deleted, so the protection cannot be removed in a weak moment.

An early unlock is only possible through a request in the app, with a 24-hour wait. There is a 3-day free trial.

Tip: during setup you can add a Screen Time passcode. Either someone you trust sets it, or KuSon creates a random code you never see. This closes the last easy way around the lock.

2. Limit websites with Screen Time

Screen Time can block adult websites and any site you add yourself:

1. Open Settings, then Screen Time, then Content & Privacy Restrictions, and turn it on.
2. Tap App Store, Media, Web & Games, then Web Content.
3. Choose Limit Adult Websites.
4. Under Never Allow, add the betting and casino sites you used.

This only blocks the sites you list, and new gambling sites appear every day, so it works best together with a blocker.

3. Hide gambling apps by age rating

Real-money gambling apps on the App Store are rated 17+. In the same App Store, Media, Web & Games screen, set Apps to a lower rating such as 12+. Apps above that rating disappear from the home screen and cannot be downloaded.

4. Let someone you trust hold the Screen Time passcode

All of these settings can be switched off by anyone who knows the Screen Time passcode. Go to Settings, then Screen Time, then Lock Screen Time Settings, and let a trusted person type the passcode without showing it to you.

5. See fewer gambling ads

Ads are one of the most common triggers. In your Google account, open My Ad Center and choose to see fewer ads about gambling. Do the same in the ad settings of the social media apps you use.

6. Block gambling payments at your bank

Many banks let you block card payments to gambling companies in the banking app or through support. This protects you on every device, not just your phone.

7. Exclude yourself from gambling operators

In many countries a national self-exclusion scheme covers all licensed operators at once. You can also close your accounts and ask each operator to exclude you. Your local gambling regulator can tell you what is available.

What does not work well

• Deleting apps. They can be downloaded again in seconds unless something stops it.
• Blocking a few sites by hand. New betting sites and mirror addresses appear constantly.
• Keeping the passcode yourself. In a strong urge, it will be used.

Blocking is one part of recovery

Removing easy access matters most in the first weeks. Talking to someone helps too: free and confidential gambling help lines exist in most countries, and a trusted friend or family member can support you along the way.