What Is Gamban?
This is an independent, informational guide for UK readers and is not affiliated with the organisations mentioned. It is provided for general information only.
Gamban is paid blocking software you install on your devices to block thousands of gambling websites and apps. Unlike the free GAMSTOP scheme, which covers operators licensed in Great Britain, Gamban works at device level and also blocks gambling sites licensed outside the UK.
What Gamban does
Gamban is blocking software you install on your phone, tablet or computer. It blocks access to thousands of gambling websites and apps across all your devices.
Unlike a national self-exclusion scheme, it works at the device level, so it also blocks gambling sites licensed outside the UK.
How much it costs
Gamban is a paid app, typically charged as a small monthly or yearly subscription, usually with a short free trial. It covers all your devices under one subscription.
An independent study for the charity GambleAware found it highly effective at blocking gambling sites.
How it differs from GAMSTOP
GAMSTOP is free and blocks operators licensed in Great Britain. Gamban is paid but broader, blocking gambling sites worldwide, including offshore ones GAMSTOP cannot cover.
Many people use the two together, alongside a bank gambling block, for stronger protection.
Using Gamban as part of a plan
Blocking software works best as one layer of protection rather than the only one. Combining Gamban with GAMSTOP, a bank gambling block and someone to talk to is far stronger than any single step.
If cost is a barrier, GAMSTOP is free and covers UK-licensed sites on its own.
The bottom line is that Gamban and GAMSTOP solve slightly different problems: GAMSTOP is free and blocks UK-licensed operators, while Gamban is paid but reaches gambling sites worldwide. For anyone serious about taking a break, using them together — with a bank gambling block as well — is far more effective than relying on any one of them alone.
Is Gamban free?
No — it is a paid app, usually a small monthly or yearly subscription, often with a short free trial.
How is Gamban different from GAMSTOP?
GAMSTOP is free and covers UK-licensed sites; Gamban is paid and blocks gambling sites worldwide, including offshore ones.
Does Gamban block offshore gambling sites?
Yes — because it works at device level, it blocks gambling sites regardless of where they are licensed.
Should I use Gamban and GAMSTOP together?
Many people do — together with a bank block, they cover both UK-licensed and offshore sites for stronger protection.
Related guides: Responsible gambling, Gambling and your credit score, Signs of problem gambling
18+ only. Gambling should be fun, not a way to make money. If you are worried about your gambling, or affected by someone else's, free and confidential help is available from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, from BeGambleAware.org, and through the self-exclusion scheme GAMSTOP. You must be 18 or over to gamble.