How to Block All Gambling Sites in the UK (May 2025)
If you feel the need to change your betting habits, measures such as GamStop, Gamban, and BetBlocker can all be of assistance. So, this guide will help you understand the uses of each, and how they work.
Blocking All Gambling Sites Permanently
Gambling for many, if not everyone, starts as a fun hobby at the weekend. However, if you feel that it is becoming less of a hobby and more of a vice, it may be time to seek some help with your punting.
If you are already feeling this way, you have come to the right place, there is no shame in admitting that you are struggling with gambling, and there are many services available.
Most gambling sites will now provide an in-house area for safer gambling, however, if you would like to go a step further, there are many sites available to actually block out your usage of any and all sites.
So, please follow our guide if you are in need of some help setting up these measures.
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 and Android
BetBlocker (www.betblocker.org): Available on Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire OS
Netnanny (www.netnanny.com): Available on Windows, iOS, and Android
Gamban (www.gamban.com): Available on iOS and Android
GAMSTOP (www.gamstop.com): This is also known as self-excluding from gambling sites. You can self-exclude from gambling sites through the GAMSTOP website. This will prevent you from accessing any gambling websites or apps licensed in the UK.
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.
Blocking Gambling Sites vs. Time-Out/Self-Exclusion
Put simply, there are no right or wrong answers here, and it is a completely personal preference as to whether you want to block the sites completely or time yourself out. At the end of the day, any action is a help when you need it.
With self-exclusion, it should be noted that there are two versions. If you self-exclude through the GAMSTOP website, as alluded to above, then this will apply to all UKGC-licensed bookmakers. However, if you self-exclude through a specific bookie, it will only apply to that one.
Alternatively, you can time yourself out for a certain amount of time, and then log back into your account when you are more assured of yourself and the control you have over your staking and betting.
However, if you wish to take more 'extreme' measures, then there is the option to block sites, which many believe to be the most effective way of gaining control over what was initially some fun.
This means that you are blocked from betting completely, permanently or for a set period of time. The choice is in your hands and you are once again in complete control here.
How Gambling-Blocking Software Works
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.
How GAMSTOP Self-Exclusion Works
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
If you are looking for a step-by-step guide on how to activate and use GAMSTOP, you are in the right place, so follow our guide below:
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Head to the GAMSTOP Website
To start things off, head over to the GAMSTOP site (https://www.gamstop.co.uk), or by tapping this line of text.
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Tap or Click on the ‘Register’ Button
Once on the website, the next step is to register for an account. Tap one of the several 'Register' or 'Sign-up' options that are shown across the screen.
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Read the Information Section
Now, you will be presented with an information slide, so to speak, informing you of what GAMSTOP is and what happens once you have registered for the site.
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Provide Email for Verification
Following this, you will be asked to provide an email for your account, and after entering, you must go to your email inbox.
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Submit Personal Details
Once you have had the email through, you will be asked to provide details on yourself, your accounts and your habits, with GAMSTOP requesting as much personal information from you as possible. Whilst this may seem overwhelming and extreme, it is done with your best interest at heart.
Information requested could be along the following: Name, Date of Birth, Addresses, Telephone Numbers and more.
Help and Support for Gambling Addiction
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, which can be a less daunting first step.
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 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.