Ep. 26 - How to Stop Online Gambling? Can Blocking Apps Help?
Online gambling can easily get out of hand. Our devices are within reach. There are so many websites available. Deposits happen so quickly and it doesn’t seem like a real money transaction. And, with sports betting there are increasing options. In Canada, single-game betting has been legalized. And, there are increasing options for in-game and live betting.
In episode 26 of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, hear first hand experience and a long list of useful strategies from someone who gambled online for 10 years and has now shut it down. Learn about options for blocking gambling websites and apps. Benjamin Wong, who has helped many people chose and install blocking software and apps, provides guidance on these tools.
Listen now to this podcast episode by clicking on the green play button above.
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When phones and devices are pulling you in to gamble
Blockers, self exclusion and closing accounts are tools that help to break the habit
I’m Struggling With Online Gambling. What Can I Do?
If you are reading this article, you are already on a good track. It’s common to minimize last night’s loss, tell yourself that you’ll handle it differently next time and wake up believing that a win is just around the corner. The fact that you are reading this says that you know there are concerns about your gambling AND that you are willing to do something about it.
First steps to regaining control of online gambling are:
be honest with yourself about your gambling - over the long-term how often has it gone beyond your limits? How is it negatively impacting you and the people around you?
be open to learning about gambling problems - it’s not a sign of weakness on your part that you keep gambling more than planned. Gambling addiction has a real impact on your nervous system, brain chemistry, thoughts and behaviours. Learning about gambling addiction helps you to develop strategies that work.
be open to trying different approaches to change your gambling habits - if you keep doing the same things it will likely lead to the same results. Gambling problems typically need strategies that help people with control.
Do I Need to Block My Access to Online Gambling? How Do I Do This?
There are so many habits with online gambling:
your brain is in the habit of releasing a “feel good” chemical called dopamine when gambling
you spend increasing time on gambling (or planning the next bet)
you are likely keeping secrets about your gambling
It can be helpful to break some of these habits:
to think about your cell phone as a smartphone, not as a betting site
to have more time to think about things other than gambling
to practice not gambling, even when you feel a pull to do so
Blocking access to online gambling can help with breaking these habits.
Ways to slow down or block online gambling include:
closing down accounts and/or self excluding from gambling websites
installing software (on computers) and apps (on phones and tables) to block access to gambling websites and apps
Some examples of gambling blockers are: BetBlocker, GamBlock, GamBan, Goodbye Gambling.
Learn More About Gambling Blocking Apps and Strategies For Overcoming Online Gambling Problems
Tune in to episodes 26 of Fold em to learn more from people who have experience with online gambling. Hear from Gail who gambled online for ten years and hasn’t placed a bet for more than a year. She shares what worked for her.
In episode 26, you also learn about gambling blockers from Benjamin Wong. Ben has helped many people decide which app is the best choice for them and helped with the installation process.
Listen now by clicking on the green play buttons at the top of this blog. Or, tune in directly from Apple or Google podcasts by clicking on the red button below.
For more help with online gambling, you can also listen to episode 5 of Fold em. Hear from someone who works in the tech field and struggled with online gambling. She talks about how blocking apps and closing down access to gambling websites were an important part of what helped her to pull away. To listen to episode 5, click on the green play button below.
Check out other episodes of Fold em and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out when new ones are released.
If you live in British Columbia and would like to find about free, confidential support and counselling services from Gambling Support BC, click on the red “Connect with Support in BC” button below. Or, go to the Gambling Support BC website. The Gambling Support Line is available 24/7 at 1-888-795-6111.
Gambling Support BC services are available to residents of British Columbia who are concerned about their own or a loved one’s gambling.
Fold em is a podcast hosted by Adrienne Cossom and her colleagues at Gambling Support BC. Whether you are looking at stopping or scaling back your own gambling or supporting a family member with a problem, this podcast will help you take back control. Hear from gamblers who have been through it and get tips from counsellors. Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.
To learn more about gambling concerns and how to access resources and support, go to the home page of this website, click on the red “Learn More” button below, or connect with us through Facebook.