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User Experiences with Blocking Software and Gambling Recovery: Exploring Motivation, Perceptions & Recovery Supports
Dilushi Chandrakumar1, Catherine Yang2, Sue Bin Oh2
1Brain & Mind Centre, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia. dilushi.chandrakumar@sydney.edu.au.
Journal of Gambling Studies
|August 12, 2026
Summary
Gambling blocking software helps users reduce gambling behavior and cope with urges. However, it shows limited impact on broader recovery aspects like mental health and relationships.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Psychology
- Digital Health
Background:
- Online gambling presents accessibility challenges for individuals with gambling disorder.
- Gambling blocking software offers a technological intervention to restrict access to gambling platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate user experiences with gambling blocking software.
- To examine the relationship between blocking software use and holistic recovery from gambling problems.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was administered to 156 international users of gambling blocking software.
- Measures included gambling severity, software satisfaction, motivations, use of additional supports, software breaches, and recovery outcomes using the Recovery Index for Gambling Disorder.
Main Results:
- Users reported high acceptability and satisfaction with the software, valuing its effectiveness and comprehensive site blocking.
- Greatest recovery was observed in gambling reduction and urge coping, with lower scores in life functioning and mental health.
- Regression analyses did not identify key predictors of recovery, but social support showed a positive association in exploratory models.
Conclusions:
- Gambling blocking software may support specific aspects of gambling disorder recovery, particularly behavioral control.
- Broader recovery domains like interpersonal relationships and mental health require further investigation and complementary support strategies.
- Longitudinal research is recommended to understand long-term outcomes and optimal integration of blocking software with other recovery interventions.
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