How to turn off casino ads in rehab

Important from the start

The goal is to minimize visual and behavioral triggers, not "defeat the Internet." We create "clean tape" and remove resembling incentives.

If you feel acute craving or crisis - use local help services/emergency contacts. The technique from this guide is an addition, not a replacement for therapy.

1) Google and YouTube: Personalization and "less gambling"

Google (My Ad Center/Google Account):

1. Turn off ad personalization.

2. In the topics/categories section, set "Show less" for "Gambling" (and related: alcohol, bets, lotteries).

3. Clean up and pause your search/browsing history (web and YouTube) so that algorithms don't "learn" from old behavior.

YouTube:

In "History" - pause of browsing/search history.
In the feed - mark "Not interested" and "Do not recommend the channel."
Enable restricted mode (reduces some sensitive content).
Regularly clean "View Later" and "Recent Requests."

2) Meta (Facebook/Instagram): Themes, advertisers and signals

1. Ad Preferences →:

Under Ad Themes, select Gambling/Betting/Gambling → Show Less.
View "Advertisers whose ads you've seen" → Hide all carrying triggers.

2. Personalization data:

Disable the use of non-Meta activity for ads (if available).
Remove gambling interests and categories from your profile.
3. In the feed, regularly click "Hide ads" → "Why?" → "Uninteresting/Hide similar topics" - this is taught by the algorithm.

3) TikTok and other platforms

Settings → Privacy/Advertising: turn off personalization if available.

Content filters/words: add "casino," "betting," "betting," "bookmaker," "slots," "roulette," "poker," brand names.

In the tape, use "Uninteresting"; clean up Favorites and searches.

4) iOS and Android: system level

iOS (Settings):

Privacy & Security → Tracking - Disable application tracking.
Apple Advertising: Turn off personalized ads.
Notifications: disable pooches for applications with triggers (up to a complete ban).
Screen Time - Create category and key site restrictions.

Android (Settings):

Google → Ads: no personalization/" remove ad ID "(on new versions).
Notifications: turn off the fluffs of "dangerous" applications.
Digital Wellbeing: time limits and focus mode.

5) Browser: extensions, filters and keywords

Extensions: Install uBlock Origin or AdGuard.

Filter lists: basic (EasyList, EasyPrivacy) + add your own list of keywords/domains.

Examples of custom rules (as an idea for your own set):


! casino keywords ^
betting^
bookmaker^
slotcasino^
roulette^
! domains (add specific ones you encounter)
example-casino. com^
example-betting. app^

Search engines: turn on SafeSearch, and mark "Do not show similar" in the search results.

6) DNS/router: block "for the whole house"

If technically possible, use family/content-filtering DNS providers or local solutions (like Pi-hole) and blacklist known casino/betting domains and their mirrors. Plus: protection for all devices, including Smart TVs and set-top boxes.

7) Mail and SMS: cleaning "incoming" triggers

Mail:

At the bottom of the promo write click Unsubscribe/Unsubscribe.
Create filters according to the words: "casino," "bets," "free spins," "bonus," "jackpot," brand names → action: "to the basket/spam."
Request data deletion (see template below).

SMS/messengers:

Answer "STOP "/" STOP "(if the service supports) or contact the telecom operator with a request to block short distribution numbers.
In instant messengers, leave the channels and block bots, turn on privacy mode so that you cannot be added to groups without consent.

8) Social networks and instant messengers: putting things in order in the feeds

Unsubscribe from gambling-themed pages/groups, delete likes and subscriptions - algorithms will no longer consider this an interest.

Set up "showing less than this" for each card encountered.

Create separate clean subscriptions (sports without betting, cinema, science) so that algorithms get a new "map of interests."

9) Smart TV and consoles

Disable ad personalization/TV IDs (LG/Android TV, etc.).

Put child/family profiles where possible and prevent unknown apps from being installed.

10) Right to delete/limit the use of data

Use data protection laws (GDPR/similar) to ask you to delete your data and stop marketing. Letter mini-template:

💡 Subject: Request for deletion of personal data and termination of marketing mailings
I ask you to delete all my personal data, stop processing for marketing purposes and no longer send me advertising messages.
Confirm deletion and the source from which you got my contact.
Name/Email (email is enough, without unnecessary data).

key> Date and Signature (if required).

Send to the brand/partner support service and mailing list providers from which letters come.

11) "Rehabilitation digital environment mode" (30-40 minutes to start)

1. Google/YouTube: Turn off personalization, "show less gambling," pause history.

2. Meta/TikTok: remove topics/interests, hide advertisers, add filter keywords.

3. iOS/Android: no tracking, disable pooches, enable time/category limits.

4. Browser: set a blocker, connect lists, add your own rules.

5. Mail/SMS: mass "unsubscribes," filters, blocking short numbers.

6. Messengers/social networks: get out of channels, "less than that," form a "clean" subscription.

7. (Optional) Home DNS filter on the router.

12) Supporting tricks so as not to "break" in the settings

Make settings with a friend/handler - extra responsibility helps.

Set a timer: no more than 40-50 minutes in one run, then pause.

Keep a list of triggers that are still "leaking" and add new filters/words once a week.

Fix a short plan in plain sight: "If I see an advertisement → Hide/Complain → Add to the filter → Breath 4-4-4."

13) Frequent questions

"Advertising breaks through anyway" - yes, 100% blocking does not exist. But each measure reduces the frequency and strength of triggers.

"I don't want to install extensions" - start with system settings and mail filters, then add a DNS filter to the router.

"What's with Telegram?" - exit betting channels, turn on auto-archive and hide silent chats, block bots, complain about spam; if necessary - third-party clients with filters or strict folders.

14) Mini checklist (print)

Ad personalization disabled (Google/Apple/Meta/TikTok)
Search/browsing history cleared and paused
Ad Blocker Installed + Own Rules (Casino/Betting)
Unsubscribe mail + keyword filters
Push notifications from "trigger applications" are disabled
Messengers: exiting channels, bot block, spam complaints
DNS/router filter (if possible)
Sent delete requests to advertisers

Disabling casino ads is an environment setting, not a test of willpower. The less external stimuli, the calmer the rehabilitation. Start with basic steps from "rehabilitation environment mode," then strengthen filters and tape cleanliness once a week. This creates a space in which it is easier to keep the course, follow the recommendations of the therapist and regain control of everyday life.