Precautions for parents of minors
Gambling content on the Internet risks involving children and adolescents. Parents can use technical, financial and educational tools to prevent the child from making the first bet until the age of 18.
1. Device and Application Control
Parental controls on smartphones
– iOS (Screen Time/Family Sharing):- Включите «Content & Privacy Restrictions» → Apps → Gambling → «Don’t Allow».
- Activate Ask to Buy: the child will not be able to install a new program without approval.
- Prevent installation of applications rated "PEGI 18" or higher.
- Set up approval for all downloads from Google Play.
Filtering on your computer
Use DNS filters (OpenDNS FamilyShield) or browser extensions (LeechBlock, BlockSite) to block online casino domains.
Set up a guest or child OS profile with limited access.
2. Blocking payment channels
Banning transfers to gambling services
Contact your bank and set a stop limit on online gambling payments.
Turn off linking credit and debit cards to game accounts.
In-app purchases constraint
– App Store: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy → In-App Purchases → «Don’t Allow».
– Google Play: Settings → Require authentication for purchases → For all purchases through Google Play on this device.
3. Parental conversations and clarifications
Talking about risks
Explain to children that online gambling is not a way to make money, but risky entertainment with the likelihood of losing.
Clarify that Australian law prohibits betting before the age of 18 and violators lose money without a refund.
Fixing the rules
Put together a "family contract" to ban gambling, sign it.
Agree on the consequences of the violation (for example, reducing pocket money or depriving gadgets for a week).
4. Activity monitoring
Regularly check browser history and installed applications
Once or twice a week, look at the list of sites in history.
Look into the settings → Installed applications: look for suspicious names and icons.
Setting up notifications
Turn on push notifications when you try to install apps and make payments.
Connect emails from your banking app to your shared parent mailbox.
5. Network barriers and VPN detectors
VPN and proxy blocking
Set a list of prohibited ports and applications (OpenVPN, WireGuard) on the router.
Use UTM-class solutions (pfSense, Sophos Home) with DPI filtering.
Geo-blocking gambling sites
Through hosts files or DNS filtering, forward casino domains to the local IP.
Update the list as new gaming platforms become available.
6. Legal awareness and responsibility
Legislation and penalties
Online gambling operators in Australia are fined up to AUD 1.1 million per day for admission <18 years (Interactive Gambling Act 2001).
The minor himself is not responsible, but loses access to funds and winnings.
Legal protection of the family
If the child made a payment from the parent card, contact the bank with an application: the transaction can be challenged as unauthorized.
Consult a consumer protection lawyer if necessary.
Result
A combination of technical barriers, financial constraints, educational conversations and legal awareness creates reliable protection for minors from access to online gambling under 18 years of age. Parental vigilance and a systematic approach will help prevent dangerous experiments with excitement.
