How to Block All Gambling Sites in the UK (April 2024)

Are you worried about your online gambling habits? Blocking all betting sites in the UK is a way to prevent you from accessing any online gambling platforms that operate in the country.

Written by Steven Hubbard
Verified by BettingLounge team
Last updated 18/04/2024
Table of Contents

Blocking All Gambling Sites Permanently on your Phone and Computer for Free

While online betting is a fairly harmless hobby for a lot of us, some people struggle to keep a grip on their spending and want to learn how to block all gambling sites in the UK as a result.

Online gambling sites have time-outs and self-exclusion as responsible gambling options these days but for people who feel at risk of developing a gambling addiction, this is not enough.

As a result, blocking all gambling sites in the UK is a common way for people to regain control. We have put together the following full guide for anyone who is thinking of taking this step.

What Are the Main Ways to Block All Gambling Sites in the UK?

People who want to block all gambling sites in the UK have a few good options to choose from. Below is a list of tools available and which devices they work on including Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire OS and more.

  • Gamblock: www.gamblock.com - Available on Windows PCs, Android phones

  • BetBlocker: https://betblocker.org - Available on Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire OS

  • Netnanny: www.netnanny.com - Available on Windows computers, iOS, and Android phones

  • Gamban: https://gamban.com/ - Available on iOS and Android phones 

  • Bank accounts: Many of the leading banks and building societies in the UK these days will allow their customers to put a block on making deposits at all online betting sites and casinos.

  • ISP blocking: Some internet service providers (ISPs) allow their customers to opt into a block on all adult-related content, which includes all UK online casinos and internet betting sites.

How To Block Gambling Sites on My Phone in the UK?

There are a few ways to block gambling sites on your phone for both Android and iOS devices in the UK:

  • Use gambling-blocking software. As seen in the blocking software mentioned above. Gamban, BetBlocker, Gamblock and NetNanny all work on your mobile devices.
  • Self-exclude from gambling sites. You can self-exclude from gambling sites by contacting the Gambling Commission. This will prevent you from accessing any gambling websites or apps licensed in the UK.
  • Contact your mobile network provider. You can contact your mobile network provider to request that they block gambling websites and apps on your phone.

How to Block Gambling Sites on your Phone using GamBan

  1. Go to the GamBan website and download the GamBan app on your phone.
  2. Create a GamBan account and choose a subscription plan.
  3. Set up a device password and enable the app.
  4. Select the websites and apps that you want to block.
  5. Confirm your changes and start blocking.

GamBan is a free service for people who are registered with GamStop. To get a free Gamban licence for up to 15 devices, you can call the free GamCare Helpline on: 0808 8020 133 or by using the chat function on the GamCare website.

How to Self-exclude from Gambling Sites on Your Phone

  1. Go to the Gambling Commission website and click on the "Self-exclusion" tab.
  2. Click on the "Start your self-exclusion" button.
  3. Enter your details and create a password.
  4. Select the types of gambling that you want to exclude.
  5. Choose a self-exclusion period (6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or permanent).
  6. Confirm your self-exclusion and click on the "Submit" button.

Once you have self-excluded, you will not be able to access any gambling websites or apps licensed in the UK.

How to Contact Your Mobile Network Provider to Block Gambling Websites and Apps on Your Phone

  1. Contact your mobile network provider's customer service department.
  2. Inform the customer service representative that you want to block gambling websites and apps on your phone.
  3. The customer service representative will provide you with instructions on how to do this.

Note that some mobile network providers may charge a fee for blocking gambling websites and apps.

Should I Block All Gambling Sites or Use a Time-Out/Self-Exclusion?

Gambling sites offer their users the chance to self-exclude or take a time out, both of which effectively lock them out from their accounts and stop them from being able to place a bet.

But both time-outs and self-exclusion normally cover a set period and once this has elapsed there will be nothing to stop someone from resuming their use of the account in question.

Self-excluding from a betting site also does not stop someone from simply signing up for an account with another of the many other online bookmakers and casino sites on the internet.

Timeouts can be a useful tool for people who just want to take a break from gambling. Some sites - Bet365 is among them - even have a custom time-out option that can be put in place. 

Here, users have the chance to set a custom time-out period, for instance preventing them from being able to place a bet via their online account during the hours that they will be working.

Meanwhile, self-exclusion does not lock a person out of their account entirely in most cases. Typically, betting sites will let self-excluded users access their accounts to withdraw their funds.

Blocking all betting sites in the UK might seem as if it is a more extreme step to take to regain control, but for a lot of people, it will be more effective than taking a time out or self-exclusion.

Does Blocking All Betting Sites Work?

Yes, blocking all betting sites does work - but it cannot stop a person from gambling completely.

Using a blocker to prevent access to a gambling site cannot stop a person from walking into a high street betting shop and placing a bet on the big race of the day, or the weekend football.

GambleAware research into several blocking software packages found that people are more likely to regain control if they also use tools like bank card blocking and GAMSTOP.

How Does Gambling-Blocking Software Work?

How blocking software works is straightforward in theory. If the software has been downloaded and installed on a device, it cannot be used to access blocked sites. For those of us who have blocked all betting sites in the UK, this means that the device will not load any gambling sites.

Blocking software is designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. Users who install gambling-blocking software should only notice it is in place if they ever try to access betting sites.

Gambling-blocking software does not just stop people from accessing existing betting accounts. Users will be prevented from accessing any betting sites at all, which means that they cannot simply head to a new online bookmaker and sign up with them to place some bets.

What Is the Gamstop Self-Exclusion Scheme and How Does It Work?

An alternative to using one of the gambling-blocking software options is to use GAMSTOP.

This nationwide self-exclusion scheme prevents those who sign up from using gambling websites and apps that are run by companies that are licensed in Great Britain. GAMSTOP users can self-exclude for a period of their choosing, with this flexibility likely to be welcome.

Those who join GAMSTOP may need to wait 24 hours for their ban to become effective. After that, they will be blocked from gambling with all online betting companies licensed in this country. However, GAMSTOP does not include withdrawing funds from said firms. Users will still need to access their accounts to withdraw any remaining money out of their balance.

A Step-by-step Guide to Signing Up With Gamstop

People who have decided to use GAMSTOP to block all betting sites can do so as follows: 

  • Head to the GAMSTOP website

    1. Head to the GAMSTOP website - https://www.gamstop.co.uk/ - to start the process

  • Tap or click on the 'register' button

    2. Tap or click on the 'register' button to begin the process of signing up to GAMSTOP

  • Enter a private email address

    3. Enter a private email address that can then be used for GAMSTOP verification

  • Login to your email

    4. Login to your email and click on the link contained within the GAMSTOP message

GAMSTOP also recommends providing as much personal information as possible. This means the GAMSTOP ban is more likely to be effective for users. Among the details it is recommended to give to GAMSTOP as part of the process of signing up to GAMSTOP are the following: 

  • Full name 

  • Date of birth

  • Current postcode and address

  • Previous addresses

  • Current mobile number and others previously used

All of this should help to ensure that the GAMSTOP gambling ban works as it is intended to do.

Gambling Addiction in the UK - What Help and Support Is Available?

For people in the UK who either feel as though they may be at risk of developing a gambling addiction, or already feel addicted to betting, help is at hand from several sources.

GamCare: Part of the National Gambling Support Network, GamCare provides free, confidential and personalised support to anyone who is affected by an addiction to gambling. One-to-one face-to-face support and treatment are available, plus online and telephone help and support. GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day and every day of the year. Fully free of charge, the helpline is available by calling 0808 8020 133 and it can also be accessed via web live chat, as well as either WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Furthermore, GamCare provides a forum and community chatrooms that provide more support.

NHS: There are various specialist gambling treatment clinics in England. It is now possible to self-refer to a local gambling clinic, or people can ask a GP for information on nearby services.

The National Problem Gambling Clinic: This provider of gambling treatment in the UK offers treatment such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Gamblers Anonymous: The UK network runs support meetings across the country, along with a forum, a chat room and various online literature to help those suffering from gambling addiction.

GambleAware: Provides a short quiz to help people identify if they have an addiction issue. After filling in the questionnaire, it is also possible to access free and confidential support here.

GamLEARN: A lived experience network that hosts weekly online meetups for members to connect.

Citizens Advice Bureau: A UK charity that provides help on mental health and financial issues.

Steven Hubbard
Steven Hubbard
Last updated: 18/04/2024

Steven is an experienced iGaming content writer who has been working in the industry since 2018. He is passionate about sports betting and enjoys writing about all aspects of the industry, including bookmaker reviews, betting tips and strategies, and news and analysis. If you have any questions about online gambling in the UK, please don't hesitate to contact him.