Gambling blocking software
Gambling blocking software stops your phone, tablet or computer from opening gambling websites and apps, including sites that are not licensed in Great Britain and so fall outside GAMSTOP. GamCare lists Gamban and BetBlocker as the main dedicated tools, alongside built-in device controls and broadband filters. This guide, checked 20 October 2026, explains how each works, what it costs to find out, and how to make a block hard to undo.
By the Latest Casinos team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Blocking software filters gambling sites by type, so it also catches websites without a British licence that GAMSTOP cannot reach.
- GamCare lists BetBlocker (Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android and Fire OS) and Gamban (Windows, Mac, iOS and Android).
- Some tools are free and some charge; Halifax and Lloyds customers can get access to Gamban through their bank.
- Install it on every device you own and ask someone else to hold any password.
- Software works best combined with GAMSTOP, a bank gambling block and support on 0808 8020 133.
- Main dedicated tools
- Gamban, BetBlocker
- Blocks offshore sites?
- Yes, by category
- Devices
- Phones, tablets, computers (varies by tool)
- Cost
- Some free, some paid; check each tool
- Bank routes to Gamban
- Halifax, Lloyds
- Helpline
- 0808 8020 133, free, 24/7
What gambling blocking software does
Gambling blocking software is a filter that sits on a device and refuses to load anything it recognises as gambling. Type a casino address into a browser and the page fails to open; search an app store for a betting app and it will not install or launch. The block applies regardless of which company runs the site or where it is licensed.
That last point is what sets it apart from GAMSTOP. GAMSTOP is a register that licensed operators check; it has no power over a website based abroad without a British licence. Blocking software does not care about licences. If a domain is on its gambling list, it is stopped. For anyone who has self-excluded and then started seeing adverts for casinos not on GAMSTOP, that difference is significant.
The NHS advice on gambling problems recommends installing blocking software as one of its practical steps, alongside GAMSTOP and a bank block. It is a tool for creating distance between an urge and an action, which is often enough for the urge to pass.
How gambling blocking software works on your devices
Different products use different techniques, and many combine several. Gamban’s website describes a multi-layered approach covering tens of thousands of gambling websites and apps worldwide. In general terms, the methods look like this.
| Method | What it catches | Weak spot |
|---|---|---|
| Domain block list | Known gambling website addresses | Brand-new sites until the list is updated |
| Network or DNS filtering | Every app and browser on the device | Can be sidestepped on a different network if set up loosely |
| App blocking | Gambling apps from app stores | Depends on the phone’s permissions and settings |
| Keyword or category filtering | Pages that look like gambling content | Can block harmless pages or miss disguised ones |
| Tamper protection | Attempts to uninstall or switch off | Varies a lot between tools |
No method is perfect, which is why software is described by support charities as one layer among several. A list-based tool is only as current as its list, so automatic updates matter.
Gambling blocking software options in the UK compared
GamCare’s blocking software page names two dedicated tools and notes that some options are free while others ask you to pay. It also points to built-in device controls and broadband filters. The table summarises what the official sources say; prices change, so check the provider’s own site before choosing.
| Tool | Platforms listed | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamban | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | Paid, with a 7-day free trial on its site | Access offered through Halifax and Lloyds banks |
| BetBlocker | Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire OS | Check its website | Widest platform list on GamCare’s page |
| iPhone and iPad content controls | iOS | Built in | GamCare suggests someone else sets the passcode |
| Broadband provider filters | Whole home network | Often included | Ask your provider about adult or gambling filters |
| Security software filters | Varies | Varies | Some antivirus packages can block gambling categories |
GamCare says it cannot be held responsible if there is a problem with the software you choose. Read each provider’s terms and support pages before installing.
Gamban: what the official site says
Gamban’s website (opens in a new tab) describes software that blocks tens of thousands of gambling websites and apps worldwide and can be installed across all major device platforms. It also includes recovery features such as tracking how long you have stayed gambling-free and how much time and money you have saved.
The site offers a 7-day free trial when you register an account; after that it is a paid product, with prices on its pricing page rather than the homepage. Some people can get access another way: the Gambling Commission’s page on blocking gambling payments with your bank (opens in a new tab) notes that Halifax and Lloyds Bank customers can access Gamban through their bank.
BetBlocker: the widest list of platforms
BetBlocker appears on GamCare’s list with support for Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android and Fire OS. That breadth makes it worth a look if your household includes less common devices, such as a Linux laptop or an Amazon tablet. GamCare does not state its price on that page, so confirm the current terms on BetBlocker’s own website before installing.
Whichever dedicated tool you pick, the principle is the same: install it on every device you could gamble on, including old phones in a drawer and work laptops if your employer permits it.
Free built-in blockers: phone settings and broadband filters
You may already own a basic blocker. GamCare points out that iPhones and iPads include a built-in content restriction feature that can stop gambling content, and advises asking someone else to set it up so you do not know the passcode. Android devices also have parental and content controls, and many households already have a broadband filter switched off by default.
- iPhone or iPad: use the built-in content and privacy restrictions to limit adult websites and add specific gambling domains to a never-allow list.
- Android: look for parental or family control options, and restrict app installs to approved apps.
- Broadband: ask your internet provider whether it can block adult or gambling sites across the home network.
- Security software: some antivirus suites include web category filters that can block gambling.
Built-in controls are weaker than dedicated software because they are designed for children’s content rather than gambling specifically, and new gambling domains will not be on a manual list. They are still a useful free starting point, or a second layer on top of Gamban or BetBlocker.
How to set up gambling blocking software, step by step
- List every device you use: phones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers and any smart TV with a browser.
- Choose a tool that supports all of them, or combine two tools to cover the gaps.
- Download it only from the provider’s own website or the official app store.
- Install it on each device and follow the prompts to grant the permissions it needs to filter traffic.
- Test it by trying to open a well-known gambling website; it should fail to load.
- Turn on automatic updates so the block list stays current.
- Ask a trusted person to hold any password or account recovery details.
- Register with GAMSTOP and switch on a bank gambling block the same day.
Blocking software vs GAMSTOP vs bank blocks
Each layer stops a different step: software stops you reaching the site, GAMSTOP stops a licensed site letting you in, and a bank gambling block stops the payment. Used together, a single lapse has to get past all three.
| Feature | Blocking software | GAMSTOP | Bank gambling block |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stops access to unlicensed sites | Yes, if on the block list | No | Card payments usually declined |
| Covers betting shops | No | No (separate scheme) | Yes for card payments in some banks |
| Works across all your devices | Only where installed | Yes, account-based | Yes, card-based |
| Cost | Free to paid, by tool | Free | Free |
| Ease of reversing | Depends on tool and who holds the password | Not during the chosen period | Varies; some banks add a delay |
Banks differ in how firmly they hold the block. The Commission notes that Monzo asks you to speak to its support team before lifting one, and HSBC applies a cool-off period. Our pages on Monzo and Starling look at those two app banks in detail, and our comparison of safer gambling tools ranks every option side by side.
What gambling blocking software cannot do
- It cannot stop gambling on a device where it is not installed, such as a friend’s phone.
- It does not block in-person gambling at betting shops, casinos or arcades.
- A newly launched site may get through until the block list catches up.
- Tools vary in tamper resistance; a determined user may find a way round a loosely configured block.
- It does not address the reasons behind gambling or the money already owed.
Some people try to get round blocks with a VPN. Using a VPN to reach an offshore casino removes UK protections and often breaks the site’s own terms, as our explainer on casino accounts and VPNs sets out. The risks of unregulated sites, including crypto-only ones, are covered in our guides to offshore casinos and crypto casinos in the UK.
Making a gambling block harder to undo
The value of a block comes from friction. The harder it is to remove on impulse, the more likely an urge will pass first.
- Let a trusted person create and keep the password or account login.
- Choose any option that delays uninstalling or requires confirmation from another device.
- Remove gambling apps and bookmarks before installing the blocker.
- Combine software with a bank block so a payment still fails if the software is bypassed.
- Unsubscribe from gambling marketing; our guide to opting out of casino marketing shows how.
Blocking software on shared and family devices
Software can also protect a household. On a shared computer or tablet, a blocker stops anyone using it from reaching gambling sites, which can help a partner who is trying to stop and also keeps under-18s away from gambling content. In Britain, online gambling is for adults only, as explained in our guide to the legal gambling age.
Installing software on another adult’s personal device without their agreement is a different matter and can damage trust. If you are worried about someone else, our guide to help for family and friends suggests ways to raise it and support them to set blocks up themselves.
Pairing gambling blocking software with support
Blocking buys time; support helps you use that time. The National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare (opens in a new tab), is free on 0808 8020 133 at any hour, and the NHS gambling help page (opens in a new tab) explains how to self-refer to a specialist clinic in England.
If you are not sure how serious things are, our checklist of the signs of problem gambling is a good next read. For the wider picture, see how to self-exclude from gambling, the full list of free gambling support in the UK, or browse all online casino guides.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set deposit limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best gambling blocking software in the UK?
There is no single best choice; the right tool is the one that covers every device you use. GamCare lists Gamban, which supports Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, and BetBlocker, which also covers Linux and Fire OS. Gamban is a paid product with a free trial, and Halifax and Lloyds customers can access it through their bank. Built-in phone controls and broadband filters make useful free extras. Our comparison of safer gambling tools shows how software fits with other layers.
Is gambling blocking software free?
Some options are free and some are paid, according to GamCare’s guidance. Gamban offers a 7-day free trial on its website and then charges, although Halifax and Lloyds give their customers access to it. Check BetBlocker’s own website for its current terms. Built-in controls on iPhones and Android phones, and filters from broadband providers, cost nothing extra. GAMSTOP and bank gambling blocks are also free, so a strong set of protections is possible without spending money. See the full directory of free gambling support in the UK.
Does blocking software stop casinos not on GAMSTOP?
Yes, in most cases. Blocking software works by recognising gambling websites and apps rather than checking licences, so it can stop sites that operate without a British licence and fall outside GAMSTOP. A brand-new domain may slip through until the tool’s list updates, which is why automatic updates matter. A bank gambling block adds a second barrier by declining the card payment. We explain why we list none of these sites on our page about casinos not on GAMSTOP.
Can I uninstall gambling blocking software?
It depends on the tool and on how you set it up. Products differ in how much they resist removal, and the official pages we used do not set out a single rule. The surest way to make a block stick is to let a trusted person hold the password or account details, choose any delay-before-removal option offered, and add GAMSTOP and a bank block so that removing the software alone does not reopen access. Our guide to how to use GAMSTOP covers the account-level layer.
Does Gamban work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. GamCare lists Gamban for iOS and Android as well as Windows and Mac, and Gamban’s website links to its Apple and Android apps. Install it on every phone and tablet you use, including older devices you might be tempted to reach for. iPhones also have built-in content restrictions you can add as a second layer, ideally with someone else setting the passcode. For other ways to put distance between you and gambling, read our guide on how to take a break from gambling.
Can my bank give me gambling blocking software?
Some can. The Gambling Commission’s list of bank gambling tools says Halifax offers access to Gamban licences, and Lloyds Bank customers can also get access to Gamban. Other banks focus on card blocks rather than software; Barclays, HSBC, Monzo, NatWest, Santander, Starling and others offer ways to stop gambling payments. Check your banking app’s help section or ask the bank directly. Our bank gambling blocks page lists the UK options and how firmly each holds.
Will blocking software stop gambling adverts?
Not fully. Software stops gambling sites and apps from loading, and some tools also reduce gambling content, but adverts on television, billboards and general websites may still appear. Social media platforms have their own settings to limit gambling ads, and the Gambling Commission publishes guidance on using them. For direct emails and texts from operators, change your marketing preferences or self-exclude. Our guide to opting out of casino marketing shows how to switch off each channel.
Should I use blocking software if I am already on GAMSTOP?
Yes, it is a sensible addition. GAMSTOP only covers businesses licensed in Great Britain, so it cannot stop websites without a British licence that target people who have self-excluded. Blocking software closes much of that gap by refusing to load gambling sites of any origin. Together with a bank block, it means a single moment of weakness has to get past three separate barriers. Our guide on how to self-exclude from gambling explains how the layers fit together.
Can I put blocking software on a family member’s phone?
Only with their agreement if they are an adult. Installing software on another adult’s personal device without consent can damage trust and may not help in the long run. A better route is to talk to them, offer to help them install it, and suggest they hold their own password while you keep a backup. On shared family devices, a blocker protects everyone, including children. Our guide to help for family and friends covers how to raise concerns.
Related pages
Sources
- gamcare.org.uk/self-help/blocking-software (opens in a new tab)
- Get The Support You Need to Quit Online Gambling. - Gamban (opens in a new tab)
- Block gambling payments with your bank (opens in a new tab)
- Help for problems with gambling (opens in a new tab)
- GamCare - Founder of the National Gambling Helpline (opens in a new tab)