Gamban: what it is and how it works
Gamban is a blocking app that stops gambling websites and apps working on the devices you install it on, including iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows. It's a paid product with a free trial, and one licence can cover all your devices. Unlike GAMSTOP, which blocks accounts, Gamban blocks access on the device itself.
By the BestApps editorial team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- Gamban blocks gambling sites and apps at device level, not account level.
- It runs on iOS, Android, Mac and Windows, and one licence can cover them all.
- It's paid, with a free trial; Halifax and Lloyds customers can get access through their bank.
- Gamban recommends using it alongside GAMSTOP.
- What it is
- Gambling-blocking software
- Devices
- iOS, Android, Mac, Windows
- Cost
- Paid, with a free trial
- Licences
- One licence can cover all devices
- Through banks
- Halifax and Lloyds give access
What Gamban is
Gamban is software you install on your own devices. Once it's running, gambling websites won't load and gambling apps are blocked, whichever company runs them. It's a practical barrier for moments when an urge hits and your phone is in your hand.
It appears in our casino app glossary next to GAMSTOP and self-exclusion, because the three are often used together.
Gamban vs GAMSTOP
People often mix the two up, but they work in different ways and cover different gaps.
| Gamban | GAMSTOP | |
|---|---|---|
| What it blocks | Gambling sites and apps on your devices | Your accounts with GB-licensed online operators |
| Where it works | On each device where it's installed | At every GB-licensed online operator |
| Unlicensed sites | Designed to block gambling sites generally | Not covered |
| Cost | Paid, with a free trial | Free |
| Length | While installed and active | 6 months, 1 year or 5 years |
Gamban's website (opens in a new tab) recommends using both. GAMSTOP stops licensed operators accepting you; Gamban makes it harder to reach any gambling site from your phone in the first place.
How to set up Gamban on your phone
- Visit Gamban's website and start the free trial or buy a licence.
- If you bank with Halifax or Lloyds, check your bank's app or website first, as both give access to Gamban.
- Follow Gamban's own instructions to install it on your phone.
- Repeat on every other device you might gamble on, such as a tablet or laptop.
- Test that a gambling site won't load, and delete any casino apps already on the phone.
Our guide to blocking gambling apps with Gamban goes through installation in more detail, and our Gamban gambling blocker page covers the practical questions.
How well Gamban works
Gamban's own materials cite an evaluation describing it as up to 99% effective. That's the company's claim about its product, so treat it as a guide rather than a promise.
No blocker is perfect. Its strength is the delay it creates: getting round a block takes time and effort, and that pause can be enough for an urge to pass. Pairing it with other tools closes more gaps.
Gamban and other ways to block gambling
- Bank blocks: the Gambling Commission lists banks that let you block gambling transactions (opens in a new tab), including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Monzo, NatWest and Santander.
- Phone settings: Screen Time on iPhone and Digital Wellbeing on Android can limit or block apps.
- Account tools: a deposit limit or time-out works inside a single operator's app.
Our guide to bank gambling blocks explains how to turn one on, and how do I block gambling apps on my phone brings the device options together.
Support alongside Gamban
Blocking software works best with support around it. GamCare offers one-to-one support, an online programme and help for family and friends (opens in a new tab), and the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 is free and open 24/7.
If someone close to you is struggling, our page for people affected by someone else's gambling suggests ways to help.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gamban and how does it work?
Gamban is software that blocks gambling websites and apps on the devices you install it on. It works on iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows, and one licence can cover all your devices. It stops gambling sites loading rather than closing your accounts. Our answer to what is Gamban adds more on how people use it day to day.
Is Gamban free?
No, Gamban is a paid product, but it offers a free trial so you can see how it works first. Halifax and Lloyds give their customers access to Gamban, so check your bank before paying. Prices can change, so check Gamban's website for the current cost. Our bank gambling blocks page covers other free tools from banks.
Does Gamban work on iPhone?
Yes. Gamban says it runs on iOS as well as Android, Mac and Windows. Install it on every device you use, not just your phone, so there's no easy way round it. iPhone's built-in Screen Time can add another layer. Our guide to blocking gambling apps on iPhone explains how the two can work together.
Should I use Gamban or GAMSTOP?
Many people use both, and Gamban itself recommends that. GAMSTOP is free and stops every GB-licensed online operator accepting you. Gamban blocks gambling sites and apps on your devices, which also helps against sites that aren't licensed in Great Britain. Our GAMSTOP entry explains the national scheme and its exclusion periods in full.
Can Gamban block gambling apps from unlicensed sites?
It's designed to block gambling sites and apps generally, not only licensed ones, which is one reason people pair it with GAMSTOP. No blocker is perfect, so treat it as a strong barrier rather than a certainty. Our guide on how to spot an unlicensed casino app explains why unlicensed sites carry extra risks.
What should I do if I get round Gamban?
Don't be hard on yourself; it's a sign you need more support, not that you've failed. Reinstall the block, add a bank gambling block, and consider registering with GAMSTOP. Talking helps too: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 is free and open 24/7. Our gambling help and support page lists more services.