What Is Gamban and How Does It Work?
Gamban is a device-level blocking software designed to help individuals manage their gambling habits by preventing access to online gambling websites and applications. When installed on a smartphone, tablet, or computer, Gamban intercepts network requests at the device level and blocks connections to participating gambling platforms. Unlike browser-based extensions that can be easily bypassed, Gamban operates at a deeper system level, making it considerably more difficult to circumvent.
It is important for newcomers to understand that Gamban is a voluntary, subscription-based service. There is no legal requirement for UK-licensed casinos to integrate with Gamban. Its implementation depends entirely on whether a particular gambling operator has chosen to partner with the software provider. This voluntary nature means many legitimate, fully UKGC-licensed casinos are not on Gamban's blocklist โ not because they are unsafe, but because they have not subscribed to this specific tool.
Gamban vs GAMSTOP: Key Difference
GAMSTOP is the UK's national self-exclusion register โ legally mandated for all UKGC licence holders. Gamban is a separate, private software product. A casino not on Gamban may still fully comply with GAMSTOP and all UKGC regulations.
How Gamban Blocks Gambling Sites
Gamban operates by maintaining a continuously updated database of gambling-related domain names and IP addresses. Once installed, the software integrates with the device's DNS and network settings. When a user attempts to visit a blocked site, Gamban intercepts the request before it reaches the browser, redirecting to a neutral blocked-access page. The software covers thousands of gambling domains across web browsers, native applications, and even VPN tunnels in its premium tier.
- Gamban works at the device level โ not just in browsers
- Must be installed voluntarily by the user or their device administrator
- Subscription-based โ costs approximately ยฃ2.49 per month for up to 4 devices
- Covers sports betting, poker, casino, and bingo sites
- Does not replace GAMSTOP or UKGC regulatory protections
- Can be removed, but there is a 30-day waiting period for responsible gambling