Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. Why target online gambling?

  It is estimated that there are more than 2,500 unregulated gambling sites in the world. Many of these sites are not controlled in terms of access and are available to minors. A 2006 research study found that kids were gambling online three times more than adults. This alarming statistic proves that online gambling is growing and that underage young people are particularly at risk.

• 2. What should I do if I think someone I know has a problem with gambling?

  Nova Scotia: Call the Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-888-347-8888.
  British Columbia: Call the Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-888-795-6111.

Software FAQs

• 1. How do I download and install BetStopper?

  To download BetStopper, please click here. You can either run the file immediately or save it to your computer. This program will walk you through installing BetStopper on your computer.

• 2. What are the features of BetStopper?

  • Web Blocking: This feature blocks access to gambling websites.
  • Usage Reporting: One of the greatest advantages to an administrator (parent), besides being able to control what a user (child) has access to online, is the ability to monitor attempted access to blocked sites. By setting up the usage reporting feature in BetStopper, the administrator can see how many blocked websites users tried to visit.
  • Instant Alerts: Being able to know instantly when a user is trying to visit sites that an administrator has banned is very important. BetStopper allows for this through the instant alerts feature. The administrator can select a sensitivity level and receive notification instantly by email or phone when a user is attempting to visit banned websites. The administrator also has the ability to choose when they will receive notification (i.e. only between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM AST).

• 3. Can I use other Internet filters along with BetStopper?

  We do not recommend installing more than one Internet filter on your computer at a time because they will often conflict with each other. Some filters which are known to cause problems with BetStopper include:

  • s4f / Family Connect (and other s4f brands)
  • AFA Filter / BSafe
  • WebBalanced
  • NetNanny
  • Cyber Patrol

  We highly recommend uninstalling or disabling other filtering software before installing BetStopper.

• 4. What operating systems are compatible with BetStopper?

  BetStopper currently supports Windows, Vista and Mac.

• 5. Why did BetStopper block my website?

  When BetStopper blocks a website it is done because the site has been categorized as "Gambling." If you think the website has been categorized incorrectly, with BetStopper, you have the ability to submit a request to have the site reviewed for legitimacy.

• 6. How many computers am I allowed to install BetStopper on?

  Your BetStopper account is licensed for up to five (5) computers.

• 7. How many user accounts can I create?

  You are able to create up to ten (10) unique users within your household. This allows you to enable blocking features for users who are under age and disable it for adults to allow full access.

• 8. What are instant alerts?

  Being able to know instantly when BetStopper is trying to get to sites that an administrator has blocked is very important. BetStopper allows for this through the instant alert feature. The administrator can select a sensitivity level and to be notified instantly by email or phone when a user on their account is attempting to go to blocked websites.

  Instant alerts, unlike usage reports, can be configured individually for each user, including having the ability to send email or phone alerts to different recipients based on the user triggering the instant alert.

  With instant alerts turned on for a user, the administrator will be able to select the sensitivity level of the alerts. The three sensitivity levels available are:

  • Less Sensitive - This will trigger an instant alert if a user hits 10 banned unique websites within a 30 minute period.
  • Normal - This will trigger an instant alert if a user hits 5 banned unique websites within a 30 minute period.
  • Very Sensitive - This will trigger an instant alert if a user hits 2 banned unique websites within a 30 minute period.

• 9. What types of instant alerts can I receive?

  Once the desired sensitivity setting is configured, the administrator will need to decide what kind of alert they want to receive when the sensitivity threshold is tripped. There are two options available to the administrator:

  • Email Alerts - Email is the most popular method of instant alerts. To configure this option, the user will enter the following information:
    1. Recipient's name
    2. Recipient's email address
  • Phone Alerts - When an administrator chooses the phone alert option, an automated call will be generated, calling the number that the administrator provides. To configure this option, the user will enter the following information:
    1. Recipient's name
    2. Phone number that the alert is being sent to
    3. A PIN. For privacy reasons, the recipient can be required to enter a PIN before they can hear the alert. This option is helpful in a situation where someone other than the recipient may answer the phone at the number supplied. This is an optional field.

• 10. What is a usage report?

  BetStopper usage reporting allows the administrator to see which user is attempting to access blocked gambling websites and how frequently. To view usage reports, right click the BetStopper icon in your system tray and select ‘View Usage report’ from the menu. You will need to enter your username and login password to view your personal reports, or the username and admin password to view the reports of all users in your account.

Please click here for additional support and a full listing of BetStopper questions and answers in Nova Scottia.

Please click here for additional support and a full listing of BetStopper questions and answers in British Columbia.