Gambling blocking apps compared
Gambling blocking apps compared side by side: BetBlocker is free and locks you in for the period you choose, Gamban is a paid subscription after a seven-day trial that covers all your devices on one licence, and GamBlock is a paid tool built to be very hard to remove. Your phone’s own controls are a free fourth option. This guide sets out how each one works on iPhone and Android, and how to choose.
By the Best Casino Apps UK team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- BetBlocker is free and run as a non-profit; restrictions can’t be lifted early.
- Gamban is a paid subscription with a seven-day free trial and one licence for all your devices.
- GamBlock is paid and focuses on making removal very difficult.
- Built-in tools (Screen Time, Google Play controls) are free but easier to undo.
- No app replaces GAMSTOP or a bank block; they cover different gaps.
- Free option
- BetBlocker
- Paid options
- Gamban, GamBlock
- Built-in options
- Screen Time, Google Play parental controls
- Works with
- GAMSTOP and bank gambling blocks
- Checked
- October 2026, from each tool’s website
Gambling blocking apps compared: the short answer
If cost matters most, start with BetBlocker, which says it is free and always will be. If you want one subscription covering a phone, tablet and computer with minimal setup, Gamban is built for that, with a trial before you pay. If you know you’d try to uninstall a blocker in a weak moment and want something deliberately stubborn, GamBlock’s whole design is about resisting removal. On a single phone, built-in controls cost nothing and stop gambling apps installing, though they’re easier to reverse.
All details below come from each tool’s own website when checked in October 2026, and features change, so confirm the current version before relying on any one point. Prices and platforms can vary by region.
Blocking tools are one part of cutting down or stopping. Free, confidential help is available from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day.
How gambling blocking apps work on a phone
Phones don’t let ordinary apps interfere with other apps, so blockers rely on a few system features that were designed for other jobs.
- Local VPN filtering: the blocker sets up a VPN that runs on the phone itself and checks each web address against a list of gambling sites. Because a phone can only run one VPN at a time, this can clash with a work or privacy VPN.
- DNS filtering: web address look-ups are sent to a filtering service that refuses gambling domains.
- Content lists: a database of known gambling sites and apps, updated regularly.
- Heuristics: analysing pages for gambling features rather than relying only on a list, which can catch new sites sooner.
- Device controls: on Android, some blockers use device administration or accessibility features to stop themselves being uninstalled.
Knowing which method a tool uses helps explain its quirks. VPN-based filters can make printers or smart speakers on your home network unreachable, for example, which BetBlocker’s own documentation mentions for its VPN versions.
Gamban vs BetBlocker vs GamBlock at a glance
| BetBlocker | Gamban | GamBlock | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, no adverts | Subscription after a 7-day free trial | Paid licences; multi-device discounts |
| Run by | Non-profit, funded by industry donations | Private company | Private company |
| Phones | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android | Android and an Apple app |
| Computers | Windows, Mac, Linux | Says it covers all major platforms | Windows (Mac via Windows set-up) |
| How it blocks | List-based, VPN on some versions | Multi-layered list of sites and apps | Heuristic analysis |
| Early removal | Not possible during a restriction | Not stated on its website | Designed to resist removal and resets |
| Durations | 1 day to 5 years, or scheduled | Ongoing while subscribed | Not stated |
| Custom sites | Desktop versions only | Not stated | Extra blocks can be chosen |
‘Not stated’ means we couldn’t confirm the point on the tool’s own site; it doesn’t mean the feature is missing. Ask the provider before you buy if a particular feature matters to you.
BetBlocker: the free option
BetBlocker began in 2017 as a project of ThePOGG, an alternative dispute resolution service, and became a separate non-profit in 2019. It’s funded by donations from gambling businesses and says it costs users nothing and shows no adverts. It lists versions for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS and Amazon Fire devices.
Its distinctive feature is the restriction you set on yourself. You pick a duration from one day to five years, or a schedule, such as evenings only. Once started, a restriction can’t be lifted early and support won’t disable it, though you can extend it. Restrictions of two months or more carry on after the end date until you deactivate them, which then triggers a one-week cooling-off period. That design suits people who want a firm commitment without paying.
Gamban: one subscription for every device
Gamban describes a multi-layered approach to blocking tens of thousands of gambling websites and apps, with apps on the App Store and Google Play and a single licence that protects all your devices. A seven-day free trial runs before the subscription starts; its pricing page lists monthly and annual plans, shown in US dollars when checked, so confirm the price in pounds before subscribing.
Some UK banks have previously offered customers access to Gamban as part of their gambling support, according to Gamban’s own blog, so it’s worth asking your bank or a support service whether free access is available before paying. Gamban’s website doesn’t spell out whether it can be removed during a subscription, so ask the company if a removal lock is important to you.
GamBlock: built to be hard to remove
GamBlock takes a different approach to content, using heuristic analysis that it says can block new gambling sites before they appear on any list. Its website describes Windows, Android and Apple versions, and says the Android and Windows apps resist factory resets, while the Apple app survives a factory reset. Users can add further blocks, some of which the company describes as irreversible.
That strength is also its main consideration: if you set GamBlock up, removal may genuinely not be possible, so read its terms carefully first. Pricing is on its download page, with discounts for protecting several devices.
Built-in phone controls compared with blocking apps
Both iPhone and Android include free controls that stop gambling apps installing, explained step by step in how to block gambling apps on iPhone and how to block gambling apps on Android.
| Feature | iPhone Screen Time | Google Play controls | Dedicated blocker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocks 18+ gambling apps | Yes, via age limit | Yes, via PEGI limit | Yes |
| Blocks gambling websites | Only sites you list, or adult filter | No | Yes, from an updated list |
| Covers other devices | No, set per device | No, set per device | Often, depending on licence |
| Easy to undo | With the passcode | Clearing Play data resets it | Depends on the tool |
| Cost | Free | Free | Free or paid |
How to choose the right gambling blocker
- List every device you use: phone, tablet, laptop, work devices and any shared family computer.
- Decide how firm you want the block to be. A fixed period that can’t be undone suits some people; others prefer something they can lift with help.
- Check whether you already use a VPN, as many blockers need the phone’s VPN slot.
- Ask your bank and the National Gambling Helpline whether they can help with free access to a paid tool.
- Install the blocker from the App Store or Google Play, follow its setup, then test with a gambling site you know.
- Add GAMSTOP and a bank gambling block so you’re protected even if the blocker is removed.
If you’re setting this up for a family member, involve them in the choice. Blocks imposed without agreement tend to be worked around, and our guide to talking to someone about gambling apps has advice.
Blocking apps, GAMSTOP and bank blocks together
Each tool covers something the others don’t. GAMSTOP stops your accounts with every online operator licensed in Great Britain, on any device, for six months, one year or five years, but it doesn’t affect unlicensed overseas sites. A blocker stops sites and apps loading on the devices where it’s installed, including many unlicensed sites. A bank gambling block declines card payments to gambling merchants, whatever device you’re on.
Operator tools such as self-exclusion and deposit limits add a fourth layer for any account you keep open. GAMSTOP and casino apps explains how registration works from a phone.
What gambling blocking apps can’t do
- They only protect devices they’re installed on; a borrowed phone or work laptop isn’t covered.
- Lists can lag behind brand-new sites, which is one reason to pair them with GAMSTOP and a bank block.
- They can conflict with work VPNs, some banking apps or home network devices.
- They don’t address the reasons someone gambles, which is where talking therapies and support groups help.
If you’re weighing up whether you need blocks at all, signs gambling apps are affecting you may help, and gambling support services UK lists free help.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best gambling blocking app in the UK?
There isn’t one best app for everyone; it depends on your budget, devices and how firm you want the block to be. BetBlocker is free and lets you set restrictions that can’t be lifted early. Gamban is a paid subscription with a seven-day trial that covers all your devices on one licence. GamBlock is paid and designed to be very hard to remove. Whichever you pick, add GAMSTOP and a bank gambling block for wider cover. Our responsible gambling page summarises the other tools available on casino apps.
Is BetBlocker really free?
Yes. BetBlocker says on its website that it costs nothing, ever, and shows no adverts. It’s run as a non-profit and funded by donations from gambling-industry businesses, and it says no one working for its founding dispute resolution service earns income from it. It offers versions for iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux and Amazon Fire devices. Some versions use a VPN to enforce restrictions, which can interfere with other VPNs or local network devices. For phone-specific setup, see how to block gambling apps on Android.
How much does Gamban cost?
Gamban offers a seven-day free trial, then a monthly or annual subscription. When we checked in October 2026, its pricing page showed prices in US dollars, so confirm the amount in pounds at checkout before you commit. One licence covers all your devices, according to the company. Some UK banks have offered customers access to Gamban as part of their gambling support, so it’s worth asking your bank, or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, whether free access is available. Our bank gambling blocks guide covers what banks offer.
Can I uninstall a gambling blocker if I change my mind?
It depends on the tool. BetBlocker says a restriction can’t be lifted before its end date and support won’t disable it, although you can extend it. GamBlock says its Android and Windows apps resist factory resets and some blocks are irreversible. Gamban’s website doesn’t state whether it can be removed during a subscription, so ask the company. Built-in controls such as Screen Time can be switched off by whoever knows the passcode. If you want a firm commitment, choose a tool with a lock and add GAMSTOP, which can’t be cancelled early.
Do gambling blockers work on iPhone?
Yes, BetBlocker and Gamban both offer iPhone apps, and GamBlock describes an Apple app too. On iPhone, blockers usually work through a VPN or content-filter profile that iOS asks you to approve during setup, because Apple doesn’t let apps directly control other apps. That means they mainly block gambling websites and services, while Screen Time’s age limit is the most reliable way to stop gambling apps installing. Using both together covers more. Our how to block gambling apps on iPhone guide explains the Screen Time steps.
Will a gambling blocker stop GAMSTOP sites and unlicensed sites?
A blocker filters the sites on its list, or that its heuristics identify, whether or not they’re licensed in Great Britain, which makes it useful against unlicensed overseas sites that GAMSTOP doesn’t cover. GAMSTOP, by contrast, works at account level with GB-licensed operators, so it protects you on any device, even one without a blocker. Neither is complete alone, and unlicensed sites carry extra risks, which is why it’s worth knowing how to check a casino licence. Using a blocker alongside GAMSTOP and a bank block gives the widest protection.
Why does a gambling blocker use a VPN?
Phones don’t let one app control what another app loads, so many blockers create a VPN that runs on the device and checks each connection against their list of gambling sites. Your traffic isn’t necessarily sent to another country; the VPN is used as a filter. The catch is that most phones only run one VPN at a time, so a blocker can clash with a work or privacy VPN, and some versions stop printers or smart speakers on your home network responding. The VPN glossary entry explains VPNs in general.
Are built-in phone controls enough to block gambling?
Built-in controls are a good start and cost nothing. Screen Time on iPhone and Google Play’s parental controls on Android both stop 18+ gambling apps installing, and Screen Time can also block websites you list. Their weakness is reversibility: anyone with the passcode can switch Screen Time off, and clearing Google Play’s data resets its controls. They also don’t cover other devices. Many people use built-in controls plus GAMSTOP and a bank block, adding a blocker app if they want more. See casino apps on shared family devices for family set-ups.
Can a gambling blocker be set up for someone else?
Technically yes, but blocks work best when the person agrees to them. Installing a blocker on another adult’s phone without their knowledge can damage trust and is likely to be worked around. A better approach is to talk it through, choose a tool together and, if they wish, hold a passcode or PIN on their behalf. BetBlocker has separate parental-control options for children’s devices. Support services can advise family members too. Our guide to talking to someone about gambling apps covers how to start that conversation.