A clear explanation of Gamban's DNS filtering, device-level blocking, and how it differs from GamStop — for anyone who wants to understand the technology behind it. Updated 2026.
Gamban is device-level software that blocks access to gambling websites by intercepting DNS requests at the operating system level. When you try to visit a gambling site, Gamban steps in before the page loads and returns a block instead. It does this silently, in the background, across every app and browser on your device — regardless of which network you are connected to.
Unlike parental controls or browser extensions, Gamban cannot be switched off from inside an app and is not limited to one browser. For a broader overview of what Gamban is and who it is for, see our What is Gamban? guide.
Every time you type a web address into a browser, your device sends a DNS (Domain Name System) request — essentially asking "what is the IP address of casino-site.com?" A DNS server responds with the address and your browser loads the page.
Gamban installs a custom DNS resolver that sits between your device and the internet. When you request a domain that appears on Gamban's blocklist, the resolver returns no valid address — or redirects to a block page — rather than the real IP. The page never loads.
This happens faster than the page would load normally, and it affects every app on the device — not just browsers. Gambling apps, mobile sites, and even cached pages are all caught by this layer.
Beyond DNS filtering, Gamban integrates at the operating system level in several ways depending on the platform:
This deep integration is deliberately designed to make Gamban resistant to accidental or impulsive removal — a key feature for its use as a self-exclusion tool.
Gamban maintains a large database of gambling-related domains covering:
The list covers thousands of domains and is one of the most comprehensive gambling-specific blocklists available. Gamban claims to block more than 50,000 gambling-related sites and domains.
Gamban continuously monitors for new gambling sites and pushes blocklist updates automatically to installed devices. You do not need to manually update the software — updates are applied in the background.
However, there is an unavoidable lag: a site that launched this week may not yet be on the blocklist. This is the primary gap in Gamban's coverage. New offshore gambling operations, in particular, can briefly evade detection in the period between launch and addition to the database. Gamban's team actively monitors new registrations to minimise this window.
Gamban and GamStop are both self-exclusion tools, but they work in entirely different ways:
GamStop is a free national self-exclusion register. When you register, your details are shared with all UKGC-licensed online gambling operators. Those operators close or restrict your accounts. GamStop only covers sites with a UK Gambling Commission licence — it has no effect on offshore operators regulated elsewhere (Malta, Curaçao, Gibraltar, etc.).
Gamban is paid software (approximately £24.99/year per device) that installs on your device and blocks access to a global database of gambling sites. It does not communicate with gambling operators — it simply prevents your device from loading the site at all. It covers both UKGC-licensed and offshore sites, making it a much broader technical block than GamStop.
Many responsible gambling organisations recommend using both together for the most complete protection.
Gamban is highly effective but not perfect. The main limitations:
Gamban intercepts DNS requests at the OS level. When your device tries to resolve a gambling domain, Gamban's local resolver catches it and returns a block instead of the real IP address. This prevents the page from loading in any browser or app.
Gamban has separate apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Each device needs its own installation. A standard subscription covers one device; Gamban offers multi-device plans that cover more.
GamStop closes your accounts at UK-licensed gambling operators — it works at the account level and only covers UKGC-licensed sites. Gamban blocks access to gambling websites on your device, covering both UKGC sites and thousands of offshore operators that GamStop does not reach.
Not reliably while active. VPNs, incognito mode, different browsers, and manual DNS changes do not work because Gamban operates below the application layer. The only way to stop it is through the official cancellation process — see our How to Cancel Gamban guide.
Gamban updates its blocklist continuously and pushes updates automatically. However, very new domains may not be blocked for a short period after they first launch.