Setting Up Venue Mode Blocks

Venue Mode uses your phone's location to detect when you're near gambling venues and automatically increases protection. Being within 500 metres of a casino or betting shop increases impulse likelihood by 3.2x. This guide shows you how to configure Venue Mode for maximum protection while respecting your privacy and daily routines.

How Venue Mode Works

Venue Mode combines GPS location with a database of gambling venues to provide location-based protection:

• Continuous monitoring: Location checked every 2-5 minutes when app is active
• Venue database: Over 15,000 Australian gambling venues mapped
• Proximity detection: Alerts trigger at configurable distances
• Automatic intervention: Protection increases when near venues
• Privacy-first: Location data processed on-device, not stored

Step 1: Enable Location Services

Venue Mode requires location permissions:

iOS Location Settings

1. Open iPhone Settings
2. Scroll down and tap Whistl
3. Tap Location
4. Select Always or While Using App
5. Enable Precise Location
6. Return to Whistl app

Why "Always" Is Recommended

• Protects you even when app isn't open
• Catches impulsive venue visits
• Battery impact is minimal (<2% per day)
• Location data never leaves your device

Step 2: Access Venue Mode Settings

1. Open the Whistl app
2. Tap Settings (gear icon)
3. Select Venue Mode from the menu
4. Toggle Enable Venue Mode to ON
5. Review the venue proximity map

Step 3: Configure Proximity Zones

Set how close you need to be before protection activates:

Zone Options

Customising Zones

1. In Venue Mode settings, tap Proximity Zones
2. Adjust each zone's distance using sliders
3. Set different zones for different venue types
4. Tap Save to apply changes

Step 4: Select Venue Types to Monitor

Choose which types of venues trigger protection:

Venue Categories

• Casinos: Full-service casinos with table games
• Poker Machines: Pubs and clubs with pokies
• Sports Betting: Bookmaker shops and TAB outlets
• Racing Venues: Racecourses and betting facilities
• Bingo Halls: Dedicated bingo venues
• Lottery Retailers: Newsagents with lottery focus

Recommended Settings

• High-risk users: Enable all venue types
• Sports bettors: Prioritise sports betting venues
• Pokies players: Focus on poker machine venues
• Casino gamblers: Enable casinos and high-stakes venues

Step 5: Set Up Safe Locations

Mark places where venue alerts should be suppressed:

Common Safe Locations

• Home: Your residence
• Work: Office or workplace
• Family homes: Parents', siblings' houses
• Gym: Regular fitness location
• School: If you're a student

Adding Safe Locations

1. In Venue Mode, tap Safe Locations
2. Tap Add Location
3. Choose from:
   • Current location: Where you are now
   • Search: Find by address or name
   • Map: Pin location manually
4. Name the location (e.g., "Home", "Work")
5. Set safe radius (50-500m)
6. Tap Save

Step 6: Configure Intervention Actions

Decide what happens when you enter a venue zone:

Available Actions

Action Configuration

1. Tap Intervention Actions in Venue Mode
2. Toggle desired actions for each zone
3. Set partner notification preferences
4. Choose whether actions escalate with proximity
5. Save your configuration

Venue Mode in Action

Here's what happens when you approach a gambling venue:

Scenario: Walking Past a Casino

1. 1000m away: Subtle notification: "You're approaching Crown Casino. Risk level: Low."
2. 500m away: AI check-in: "I notice you're near Crown. How are you feeling? Want to talk?"
3. 200m away: Protection activates: SpendingShield moves to ORANGE, gambling transactions blocked
4. 50m away: Full intervention: RED state, partner alerted, Dream Board displayed
5. Entering venue: Maximum protection, 8-Step Negotiation engaged
6. Leaving area: Gradual return to baseline protection

Venue Mode for Businesses

Venue Mode also supports business-side implementation:

Business Features

• Venue registration: Businesses can register as gambling venues
• WiFi integration: Detect Whistl users on venue WiFi
• Supportive messaging: Display help resources on venue screens
• Staff training: Resources for recognising problem gambling
• Referral pathways: Direct links to Gambling Help services

Privacy and Location Data

Venue Mode is designed with privacy as a priority:

Privacy Protections

• On-device processing: Location never leaves your phone
• No location history: Whistl doesn't store where you've been
• Minimal permissions: Only location access, nothing else
• Transparent controls: You can see and delete all data
• Optional feature: Venue Mode can be disabled anytime

Battery Impact

• Typical impact: 1-2% battery per day
• Uses iOS's efficient location services
• Location checks reduce when stationary
• Can be set to "While Using App" to minimise impact

Troubleshooting Venue Mode

Problem: Not Detecting Nearby Venues

Solutions:

• Ensure location services are enabled for Whistl
• Check that Venue Mode is toggled ON
• Verify venue types are selected in settings
• Some venues may not be in database—report missing venues
• Restart the app to refresh venue data

Problem: Too Many Notifications

Solutions:

• Increase proximity zone distances
• Disable outer zone notifications
• Add more safe locations
• Set quiet hours for venue alerts
• Reduce notification frequency in settings

Problem: Battery Draining Quickly

Solutions:

• Change location permission to "While Using App"
• Increase location check interval
• Disable Venue Mode when not needed
• Check for other apps using location heavily

Problem: False Positives at Safe Locations

Solutions:

• Increase safe location radius
• Add additional safe locations nearby
• Check GPS accuracy in phone settings
• Some venues share buildings—add building as safe

Venue Mode Best Practices

• Start conservative: Begin with larger zones, adjust based on experience
• Review regularly: Check which venues trigger most often
• Update safe locations: Add new regular locations as routines change
• Combine with other features: Venue Mode works best with SpendingShield and AI Coach
• Don't rely solely on Venue Mode: It's one layer of protection, not complete protection

Venue Mode Statistics

Real data from Whistl users:

• 73% of users report venue alerts helped them avoid gambling
• Average alerts per week: 4.2 (varies by location)
• Most common trigger distance: 300-500m
• Alert acceptance rate: 68% of users engage with venue alerts
• Reduction in venue visits: 54% decrease after 30 days of Venue Mode use

Conclusion

Venue Mode adds a powerful location-based layer to your gambling protection. By detecting when you're near triggering environments, it gives you timely support exactly when and where you need it. Configure your zones thoughtfully, respect your privacy settings, and use Venue Mode as part of a comprehensive protection strategy.

Related: DNS Blocking Setup | SpendingShield | Risk Score Dashboard