18/09/2025
We’re excited to announce that Gamban is now available in Japanese, making it easier for Japanese speakers to access our blocking software and take steps toward a life free from gambling harm.
More Than Just a Translation
With the help of designers based in Tokyo, we’ve created a dedicated website built to feel familiar for people in Japan. By tailoring the experience this way, we have made it easier for more users to navigate the website, understand Gamban and take their first step towards recovery.
While Gamban was created to block gambling sites, we also want to provide as many people as possible with the right information, in the right language, at the right time.
This update is part of our continuous aspiration to make Gamban accessible to as many people as possible, wherever they are and whatever language they speak. By offering Gamban in Japanese, we aim to remove barriers for those who may otherwise struggle to find the right tools to help them quit online gambling.
Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder of Gamban, said: “We are committed to not only translating but also localising Gamban so it looks and feels familiar to people, wherever they might be. Our mission is not only to make blocking software as good as it can be, but also as accessible as possible.”
We’ve been fortunate to receive input and support from Japanese organisations such as The Society Concerned About Gambling Addiction, helping us ensure the translation is accurate, accessible, and culturally appropriate for users in Japan.
We are a Japanese private organisation that supports people with gambling addiction and their families. Through this collaboration with Gamban, we expect to be able to further support the recovery of those with addiction by using a cutting-edge app that has never been available in Japan before.
Noriko Tanaka, Representative, The Society Concerned About Gambling Addiction
Why This Matters for Japan
Behind the statistics are real people and families affected by gambling harm. Although most gambling is illegal in Japan, the rise of online casinos has made it easier than ever to gamble, often in secret and without clear warnings about the risks.
The hidden scale
A March 2025 National Police Agency survey estimated that 3.37 million Japanese have used overseas online casinos, with around 2 million active users wagering an average of ¥630,000 per person per year, totalling roughly ¥1.24 trillion (approximately US $8.4 billion) annually.
Low awareness of illegality
Around 40% of users believe online casinos are legal, and 75% first try free-play apps before moving to real-money gambling.
Addiction and harm
Almost 60% of users report addictive symptoms, and nearly half borrow money from family, friends or consumer finance to keep gambling.
By making Gamban available in Japanese, we hope to offer more people a practical, stigma-free first step, helping people block gambling sites before the harm gets worse and giving them space to seek support and begin recovery.
Gamban is already available in several other languages, including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Dutch, Norwegian, and Finnish. Adding Japanese expands that reach even further, helping us deliver on our commitment to supporting people worldwide.
If you’re in Japan and want to learn more about how Gamban can help, visit gamban.jp
