31/10/2025
The Gamban team were thrilled to celebrate our tenth anniversary this year. What started as an idea has grown into a team of 17, an app that works around the world, and thousands of people who have been helped by our services.
The Evolution of Gamban
The year is 2015. Hello by Adele is breaking global charts, NASA has announced the discovery of liquid water on Mars, and the world can’t agree on the colour of that dress. While everyone else is caught up in the noise, Jack Symons notices something no one else seems to have: there’s no effective way to block gambling on a Mac.
Existing tools were clunky, easy to bypass or built for parental controls. So he built a basic proof of concept by modifying the host files and compiling a list of around 15,000 gambling domains.
To turn it into a real product, Jack reached out to Mavia and, together, they started working to build a Mac app, with plans to expand to Windows and Android.
Rather than focusing on fast growth or flashy marketing, Mavia and his team prioritised usability and long-term support. Their approach wasn’t just about building an app; it was about creating a reliable tool that could truly make a difference in people’s lives.
But a good product alone wasn’t enough. Jack knew he needed the right people to help turn the idea into something bigger. Noticing Matt’s work in gambling reform, he decided to reach out.
Matt and Jack first connected when Jack sent a cold message on LinkedIn. Intrigued, Matt agreed to meet him. Their first meeting took place in a pub in Farringdon, where Jack unveiled an early prototype of what would later become Gamban.
Over the past decade, Jack, Mavia and Matt gradually expanded the product reach, as well as the team, and the app has now reached a million downloads.
To mark the occasion, we wanted to look back on the history of Gamban, and how far we’ve come over the past 10 years.
Timeline
So what's changed in the last ten years?
2015
Gamban was founded by Jack, Matt and Mavia, who set out to build the world’s first effective gambling-blocking solution.
2016
Public launch on Mac, Windows and Android marks the start of Gamban’s international expansion, bringing effective gambling blocking to thousands more users beyond the UK.
2018
An independent GambleAware evaluation finds that gambling-blocking software can be beneficial, with Gamban identified as the most technically effective product tested.
Mainstream UK media, such as the Guardian, also covered Gamban’s approach, highlighting the scale of sites blocked.
2019
Gamban was awarded RegTech Provider of the Year at the 2019 GamblingCompliance Global Regulatory Awards, recognising its significant contribution to enhancing compliance and promoting responsible gambling through technology.
2020
The TalkBanStop pilot launch, uniting GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP, means that Gamban is free to everyone in the UK, marking a major milestone in making effective blocking more accessible.
2021
Gamban expands its protection by blocking high-risk trading platforms that resemble gambling. Following research showing that most people view cryptocurrency investing as a form of gambling, Gamban now includes CFDs, cryptocurrency exchanges, binary options, and forex trading sites in its blocklist.
Formed partnerships with U.S. treatment service providers, including 800-Gambler and West Virginia Treatment Service.
Gamban partners with Norsk Tipping, Norway’s state-owned gambling operator, to provide its self-excluded users with gambling-blocking software.
Gamban partnered with the Extern Problem Gambling Project (formerly Problem Gambling Ireland) to help reduce gambling harm and raise awareness across Ireland.
Gamban announced that Jody Bechtold, a leading expert in gambling addiction and CEO of The Better Institute in Pittsburgh, has joined its advisory board.
Gamban partners with Nicasa Behavioural Health Services in Illinois to provide free access to Gamban’s gambling-blocking software for individuals receiving support through Nicasa’s programmes.
Melissa Etherington, Gamban’s Vice President of Partnerships, joins the International Gambling Counsellor Certification Board (IGCCB) - the global body setting standards for gambling and gaming addiction treatment.
2022
Gamban launches a Spanish version, kicking off the journey to make the app available in more languages. An important step towards making sure people around the world can use Gamban in a way that feels familiar and easy.
Achieved ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2017 accreditations for quality management and information security.
Attained B Corp certification, recognising social and environmental responsibility.
Gamban Partnered with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania (CCGP) to give people using their support services free access to Gamban.
2023
New update to the Gamban website and app - adding more utility within the app.
- Redesigned Dashboard
- Progress Updates
- Recommended Reads
- Money Saved Tracker
- Time Saved Tracker
- Multi-Layered Self-Exclusion guides users to:
- Local self-exclusion registers.
- Counselling and support services.
- Other recovery resources worldwide.
- Access to Support and Resources Page – Updated with curated, location-based links to podcasts, support groups, and recovery organisations for easy access to help.
Winner of the 2023 Tech Cares Award for commitment to community impact and employee well-being in the technology sector.
Awarded Platinum Accreditation by Investors in People - the highest level of recognition for excellence in leadership, people management, and workplace culture.
2024
Launched Dutch and Brazilian Portuguese versions of Gamban. Another big step in our mission to support people in their own language.
Global coverage reached over 250 countries and regions worldwide.
Gamban partners with Svenska Spel, making it free for self-excluders in Sweden.
VRS partnered with Gamban to give vulnerable people free tools to block gambling. The not-for-profit now recommends Gamban to its members.
Loket Kansspel partnered with Gamban, backed by the Dutch gambling regulator KSA, to launch a national pilot offering people in the Netherlands a free Gamban subscription.
2025
Gamban celebrates its ten-year anniversary, welcoming friends and partners from across the globe to celebrate.
Finnish language launch expanded Gamban’s reach across Europe, making it easier for people in Finland to use the app in their own language.
Norwegian language launch followed, removing more barriers for people in Norway. In partnership with Norsk Tipping, Spillavhengighet Norge, Hjelpelinjen, Blå Kors Norge and Rikstoto, free Gamban subscriptions became available to everyone in the country.
PFA NI partnered with Gamban to tackle gambling harm among professional players in Northern Ireland. Members now get free access to Gamban, giving them extra protection and support.
The launch of the Japanese website. By working closely with Tokyo designers and the Society Concerned About Gambling Addiction, we ensured the site wasn’t just translated, but built for how people in Japan actually use the web.
Gamban announced a partnership with Danish esports team ECSTATIC - the first gambling harm prevention sponsorship in esports. Unlike most teams, ECSTATIC turned down betting sponsors to put player wellbeing first. A community Discord hub was launched too, giving people a safe space for anonymous support and practical help.
Gamban introduced a permanent iOS app. Previously unique to Android, this update means users can’t remove the app from their iPhone during their protection period.
The future of Gamban
Ten years on, Gamban is proof that small ideas can make a big difference. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, but even more excited about what’s ahead. The goal now is simple: keep improving, keep expanding and keep making it easier for people to block gambling when they need it most.
