DandoHow to stop gambling: practical first steps
Updated
Build a realistic plan with fewer gambling triggers, website blocking, trusted support and help when urges return.
- Reduce access and promotional triggers.
- Agree who to contact when an urge arrives.
- Blocking is one part of a wider recovery plan.
Make a plan for today
Leave promotional groups and mute gambling advertisements where possible. Set up blocking on devices you use. Tell someone you trust what would help, and choose an alternative activity for the time you usually gamble.
Review spending arrangements with appropriate support. Use the self-exclusion options available in your jurisdiction where relevant.
Prepare for a difficult moment
Write down who you will contact and where you can get professional support. If you return to gambling, review what happened and adjust the plan rather than treating it as the end of recovery.
Dando’s mutual or guardian connection can add a pause before releasing protection. It cannot guarantee abstinence or replace counselling.
Frequently asked questions
Is blocking enough on its own?
Blocking helps reduce access, but support, daily routines and financial boundaries matter too.
Can I use it without a guardian?
Yes. You can connect another user or use the operator connection when no one is linked.