A New Way To Add Financial Safeguards

We are pleased to announce our partnership with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sibstar.co.uk/quitgambling">Sibstar</a>, a flexible debit card and app designed to help adults manage everyday spending safely.<h3>What is Sibstar?</h3>Sibstar was originally created to support families affected by dementia, but its flexible controls also make it ideal for people in recovery.Sibstar gives people more control over when and where money can be spent. It can be used independently or with the support of a trusted person, making it a useful tool for people in recovery who want extra structure around their finances.<h3>How Sibstar can support gambling recovery</h3>For someone recovering from gambling harm, access to money can be complicated. Everyday spending needs to continue, but being able to add a layer of protection can be extremely helpful. With Sibstar, users can:<ul><li>Set daily and monthly spending limits</li><li>Set cashpoint withdrawal limits</li><li>Switch cashpoint withdrawals, contactless payments, online payments, and phone payments on or off</li><li>Receive real-time notifications when the card is used</li><li>Freeze or unfreeze the card instantly through the app</li><li>Invite a trusted supporter to help manage the account, where appropriate</li></ul>Plus, gambling payments are automatically blocked.<h3>Financial Support</h3>Sibstar gives people the option to build a safer financial environment around themselves. For some, that might mean managing the card and app independently. For others, it might mean having the card while a trusted loved one provides support via the app. <h3>How can I get Sibstar?</h3>Anyone can apply for a Sibstar debit card and app. Customers can download the Sibstar app from the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/sibstar/id1603415469">App Store</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sibstar.app&amp;hl=en_GB">Google Play</a>, choose the relevant account type, complete their details, provide the required documents, and receive their Sibstar card in the post.Once activated, money can be added, and the card settings can be managed through the app.<h3>Layered Protection</h3>There is no single tool that solves gambling addiction on its own, which is why we always recommend layering tools for the best chance of recovery. <ul><li>If you have gambling debt, there are organisations that can help. Find out more <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/blog/struggling-with-gambling-debt">here</a>.</li><li>Self-exclude from all the betting shops in your area <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://self-exclusion.co.uk/">here</a>.</li><li>Self-exclude from all UK casinos <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.senseselfexclusion.com/">here</a>.</li><li>There is support for affected others at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamfam.org.uk/">GamFam</a>.</li><li>There is peer support, and support with the criminal justice system, available at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamlearn.org.uk/">GamLEARN</a>.</li><li>Gamblers Anonymous isn’t for everyone, but it's available worldwide and is a free, anonymous way to talk to others suffering from gambling harm. </li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://discord.gg/mYJYCEN2ch">The Gamban Discord </a>is another free, anonymous platform where you can get together with others to chat, play games, or just read what others have to say.</li></ul>

Gamban partners with Sibstar

Gamban partners with Sibstar to support gambling recovery with flexible spending controls, trusted support and gambling payment blocks.

Tips from someone in recovery

We spoke to Dan, founder of Addicted Recovery, about the best way to help someone who is a compulsive gambler. "How to help a compulsive gambler is something that appears in my comments sections all the time.Basically, partners, parents or siblings who are trying to help somebody who's struggling with a gambling addiction.The honest truth is, if they don't want to stop, there's not much you can do to stop them.Wanting to stop gambling has to come from them. It has to come from within.That was the turning point for me back in 2021, when I placed my last bet. I realised I didn't want to live this chaotic lifestyle anymore.I can't do this for my kids. I can't do this for my wife. I can't do this for my mum.I needed to do this for me. As a friend or family member, the best thing you can do to help them get to that point is to support them. Let them know you're there, you love them, and you want to try and help.The reason having accountability from friends, loved ones and family members is so important is that you can help them once they get on that journey.Installing blockers on your phone can help. You can set up a blocker with them by installing it on their device with their permission.I did this with my brother early on in my recovery. My brother installed <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/apps">Gamban</a> on my phone, and then I was unable to remove it.Basically, Gamban blocked all gambling apps and gambling websites.I couldn't access anything on my phone, no matter how much I wanted to.And that helped me early in recovery.Now I'm at a point where I can control my urges. I don't need to act on those urges, but early on in recovery, that really helped.Just being there for them, letting them know that you care and you're there for them, is so important.The love and support of my family have helped me get to where I am today."<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZFvU_BCSw-/">Watch the full video here. </a>

How To Help A Compulsive Gambler

Support a loved one struggling with gambling addiction with advice from Dan, founder of Addicted Recovery.

Support Guide

How can I uninstall Gamban? Once Gamban is installed on your devices, we will not remove it until your subscription ends. We understand this can be difficult for many people, which is why we have curated resources in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/help">Gamban app to help support you.</a> For extra protection, we always recommend using Gamban alongside other tools, like self-exclusion and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/blog/block-gambling-through-your-bank-account-2026">bank blocking.</a> You can also join our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://discord.gg/mYJYCEN2ch">Gamban Discord</a> if you’d like to talk to others who understand what you’re going through.Find out more in our video below:<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/BXstOWF13kU"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BXstOWF13kU" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div></figure>

How To Uninstall Gamban

Find out why Gamban can’t be removed early, when protection ends, and where to access support.

Thousands of dogs disappear from tracks every year, but where are they now?

Over 600 greyhounds have fallen during races in England this year alone. This is why Gamban are continuing to campaign for an end to greyhound racing in the UK. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.greyhoundwatch.org.uk/">Greyhound Watch</a> has been created as a partnership between UK campaign organisations, Animal Aid and Shut Down Campaigns.Thanks to the dedicated work of 30+ volunteer race monitors, they have identified over 2,000 greyhounds who have raced this year but not been seen for over a month since their last race and not reported as adopted or otherwise ‘retired’ from racing. It poses the question, where are these dogs now?<img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/357257a8-5124-4a31-9872-be94c6a9f286.png" />Screenshot from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.greyhoundwatch.org.uk/">Greyhound Watch. </a>There are only 16 operating tracks left in England as of May 2026, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.greyhoundwatch.org.uk/">Greyhound Watch </a>reveals that each one has a very dark practice of hurting dogs with dangerous races and discarding them from the industry at an alarming rate.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.greyhoundwatch.org.uk/">Greyhound Watch</a> also allows viewers to see actual footage of the hundreds of falls that have been documented by volunteer race monitors.One such dog who has been identified through this process is Gothic Icon, who was knocked over during a race at Harlow Greyhound Stadium in January.The replay of the race was, unlike most others, not made available online, and Gothic Icon has not been seen since. He was only 4 years old – where is he now?Recent Falls captured on video:<img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/281f76a4-ad80-4a68-aa4f-30b0984ef6c9.png" />Campaign Manager on Dog Racing at Animal Aid, Isobel McNally, says, “Greyhound racing is a barbaric pastime that chews up and spits out dogs at an alarming rate. Greyhound Watch shows evidence of that in a way that has never been seen before. It is time for the government to take notice and take decisive action to ban this horror show once and for all.”Founder of Shut Down Campaigns, Norb Gordon, says, “With more than 30 volunteers, we have worked tirelessly to document falls, injuries, and dogs going missing from this industry already this year. With 1 dog killed on UK tracks roughly every 3 days – 123 in total, in 2024 – we know many of these dogs will have already been killed. This is unacceptable to the public, which is why the industry hides these incidents behind missing race footage and vague ‘retirement’ data. We are calling on the Greyhound Board of Great Britain to release track-specific death and injury data, including the names of the dogs who are killed on and off the tracks”. Gamban is proud to be a part of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/blog/why-gamban-has-joined-the-campaign-to-end-greyhound-racing">Greyhound Freedom UK coalition</a> that is calling for an end to greyhound racing.

Introducing Greyhound Watch

Introducing Greyhound Watch: Tracking missing racing dogs and exposing over 2,000 unexplained disappearances in the UK.

We run through the major UK banks and what services they provide.

Can banks block gambling transactions? Yes! We run through the major UK high street banks and outline what services they provide to their at-risk customers.<h2>What is the Gambling Block?</h2>A gambling block is a feature that allows you to block your bank account or debit card from being used for gambling transactions. Gambling operators are no longer allowed to accept any deposits by credit card. It’s important to know that enabling a gambling block through your bank does not impact your credit score and would not affect any future lending decisions.<h3>Which banks offer Gambling Blocking Services?</h3><h4>Royal Bank of Scotland </h4>Gambling control is a feature that allows you to block your card from being used for gambling transactions.  Find out more about this <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rbs.co.uk/support-centre/banking-from-home/how-to-use-the-mobile-app/what-is-the-gambling-control-feature.html">here</a>. A customer can also do this by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rbs.co.uk/support-centre/contact-us.html">calling</a> on 0345 724 2424 or visiting a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rbs.co.uk/search-results/locator.html">branch</a>. You can also use their chat service <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rbs.co.uk/support-centre/cora.html">CORA</a> and through either of these channels, the team can apply this for you.If a customer mentions that they are concerned about their gambling and asks for help, they have steps in place to offer added support. Learn more about the Royal Bank of Scotland's gambling support <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.rbs.co.uk/life-moments/Struggling-financially/manage-your-gambling.html">here</a>. <img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/428b8190-1909-46b7-baa8-1aef3b25a264.png" /><h4>Lloyds Bank</h4>If you have a debit or credit card, you can use the mobile banking app to turn on a gambling freeze. This instantly blocks payments to gambling retailers. Find out more about that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.lloydsbank.com/help-guidance/support-and-wellbeing/help-with-gambling.html">here</a>.For customers who don’t have access to a smartphone, gambling transactions can still be blocked without using the app. You can request support by contacting the team by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.lloydsbank.com/help-guidance/call-us.html">phone</a> on 0345 300 0000, and they can help put the block in place on your behalf, or guide you through managing this via desktop banking, where applicable.If a customer prefers not to manage this themselves, you can also ask Lloyds to apply or keep the block in place.<img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/8fd683bb-c2d0-4687-aa4b-51bf91d21a45.png" /> <h4>Halifax</h4>If you have a debit or credit card, you can use the mobile banking app to turn on a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.halifax.co.uk/helpcentre/support-and-wellbeing/help-with-gambling.html">gambling freeze.</a> This instantly blocks payments to gambling retailers.However, if you want to remove the freeze, it will take 48 hours for the removal to take effect.For customers who don’t have access to a smartphone, gambling transactions can still be blocked without using the app. You can request support by contacting the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.halifax.co.uk/helpcentre/call-us.html#:~:text=Account%20queries,and%20closed%20on%20bank%20holidays.">team by phone</a> on 0345 720 3040, and they can help put the block in place on your behalf.<img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/63d7623d-6aba-43c4-bf42-b09ca6e2afa8.png" /><h4>Bank of Scotland </h4>Freeze specific transactions such as gambling through their app, learn more about this <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/helpcentre/everyday-banking/card-and-pin-services/card-freezes.html">here</a>. If you do not have the mobile app, you can call 0345 721 3141 to arrange the gambling freeze. The team are opened 8 am-6 pm, 7 days a week. <img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/fdb87985-9560-42c7-a14b-da6b2acd52fb.png" /><h4>mbna</h4>You can freeze your gambling payments using the MBNA Mobile App. This will instantly block payments to gambling retailers. Find out more <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.mbna.co.uk/support/gambling.html">here</a>. If you do not have access to a smartphone, give the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.mbna.co.uk/support/call-us.html">team a call </a>on 0345 606 2062 and they can help you set this up manually. <img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/06a70713-5d8b-4e60-a90a-9d6f851ce048.png" /><h4>HSBC</h4>All customers can put a gambling restriction on their account by:- Calling the team on 03457 404 404 Monday to Sunday 8am till 8pm. - Popping into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hsbc.co.uk/branch-finder/">branch</a> with valid ID.- Using the mobile app, find steps to do so <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/card-support/gambling-restrictions/">here</a>. <img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/c492fb87-4459-4f1a-a0b7-ec74403cd570.png" /><h4>Monzo</h4>Allows customers to block gambling transactions on their Monzo account, straight from the app. If you don’t have access to your phone, you can reach out to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://monzo.com/help/app-help/contacting-support">customer care team</a> via email (<a href="mailto:help@monzo.com">help@monzo.com</a>) or phone (0800 802 1281.)To turn off the block, customers will need to talk to Monzo's customer support team. They'll ask questions to see whether their situation has changed since they first switched on the restrictions. Find out more and talk to one of the team <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://monzo.com/gambling-block">here</a>. <img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/8f69b7d9-b634-4aca-956a-f4f1e310aa8b.png" /><h4>Starling Bank</h4>Allows customers to easily block online payments, including gambling transactions, in their banking app. Learn more <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://help.starlingbank.com/business/topics/debit-card-queries/how-do-i-block-gambling-payments/">here</a>. Customers can also set up the Starling gambling block even without the app by contacting their <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.starlingbank.com/contact/">customer support</a> on 020 7930 4450. The block works by stopping card payments to recognised gambling merchants.<img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/ac988775-6f8f-4460-9213-61bd63aca6df.png" /><h4>Natwest </h4>Offers customers a card locking feature, which includes a gambling <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.natwest.com/life-moments/Struggling-financially/managing-your-gambling.html">transactions blocker</a>, within the banking app. At the moment, the gambling block is something customers need to set up themselves through the NatWest mobile app, so access to the app is required to use that feature.<img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/c73faee3-4c8b-41ab-ae3d-51fc6a2278a6.png" /><h4>Barclays </h4>You can block transactions to gambling retailers by following these <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.barclays.co.uk/money-worries/gambling-support/">steps</a>. Merchant controls can also be adjusted over the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.barclays.co.uk/help/contact-us/">phone</a> on 0345 734 5345 and in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.barclays.co.uk/branch-finder/">branch</a> if customers don't use the app.If you feel comfortable, the Barclays team can work with you to see how they can help. Anything you say is confidential, and they won’t use any of the information you give without your permission.<img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/1b84c5f5-a922-4fe2-b513-a8c7a542012a.png" /><h4>Santander</h4>If you have a Santander debit Mastercard, you can block gambling transactions in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/support/help-with-managing-my-money/gambling-help">Mobile Banking app.</a> If you don’t have access to the app, call the team on 0330 123 0209.Santander also offers help for those who are struggling with their <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/support/if-finances-are-a-struggle">finances. </a><img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/d3e50661-ecc3-45f4-8bb0-7cc60c332d27.png" /><h4>Danske Bank</h4>Danske Bank have an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://danskebank.co.uk/personal/help/payments/block-gambling-payments">optional gambling freeze</a> or limit for your debit card. They also have a range of tools that may help you make changes to reduce the harm gambling causes. If customers don't use the eBanking platform, they can call into any <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://danskebank.co.uk/personal/search">branch</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://danskebank.co.uk/personal/help/useful-numbers#:~:text=For%20all%20general%20Danske%20Bank,please%20use%20the%20sections%20below.">call the contact centre</a> on 0345 600 2882 and the team can put the block in place.<img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/ff5fcefc-1be8-4696-81ad-685cf78963f5.png" /><h3>Sibstar</h3>Sibstar is a card and app for adults who need help managing their everyday spending.With Sibstar, you can make sure: <ul><li>Gambling payments are automatically blocked.</li><li>Set daily &amp; monthly spending limits.</li><li>Invite a supporter to help you stay on track.</li></ul>Find out more and sign up <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sibstar.co.uk/quitgambling">here</a>. Contact the customer service team on 01962 676 080. <img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/aa29c29e-4dd9-4cad-81d3-86c8c21a2064.png" /><h3>Nationwide </h3>If you’d like to stop your debit card from being used for most gambling payments, you can <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nationwide.co.uk/help/challenging-times/gambling-support/#contactus">call</a> on 0345 730 2011, visit the team in a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nationwide.co.uk/branches/search">branch</a>, or turn on the gambling block in the app:<ol><li>Log in to the app and select your account.</li><li>Choose Manage cards.</li><li>Choose Gambling.</li><li>Turn the gambling block on.</li></ol>Or on the internet bank:<ol><li>Log in to our internet bank and select your account.</li><li>Choose More options.</li><li>Choose Set up gambling controls.</li><li>Turn the gambling block on.</li><li>Select Confirm.</li></ol>If you're worried about how much you’re spending on gambling or if you’re struggling to make your payments, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nationwide.co.uk/help/challenging-times/gambling-support/#contactus">get in touch with the Nationwide team</a> so they can talk through your options. They can also help if you have a joint account and want some support because of problem gambling.<img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/6a2d206b-c68b-4bf7-bd82-682fe1460263.png" /><h3>Revolut</h3>The gambling block is a feature of the Revolut app that, when enabled, will block card payments that are identified as gambling. This can include payments to bookmakers, online casinos, and sports betting apps. When you open a Revolut account, it is disabled by default. To enable it:<ol><li>Tap your profile icon (your profile pic or initials) in the top left corner</li><li>Tap 'Security'</li><li>Tap 'Payments'</li><li>Turn 'Gambling block' on or off</li><li>Tap 'Yes' to confirm</li></ol>For more support, call the team on +442033228352.Find out more <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://help.revolut.com/help/profile-and-plan/security-and-personal-data/gambling-block/what-is-gambling-block/">here</a>. <img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/f02cd75d-3f27-445f-bf6f-f8336adff738.png" />What else should I put in place? If you are trying to quit gambling, we recommend putting as many blocks in place as possible to give you a better chance of abstaining. That means layering <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/apps">gambling blocking software</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamstop.co.uk/">self-exclusion from online gambling</a>, and bank transaction blocks.  Reach out to a trained adviser on the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/talk-to-us-now/"> National Gambling Helpline</a> for free, confidential guidance and advice.

Block Gambling Through Your Bank Account 2026

Find UK banks offering gambling transaction blocks, card freezes and tools for safer money management.

“I was carrying a burden I hadn’t chosen to take on.”

My name is Mavia, and I’m a co-founder and Technical Business Manager at Gamban. I have lived experience as an “affected other.”Today, an estimated <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publications/out-of-luck-an-exploration-of-the-causes-and-impacts-of-problem-gambling/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">4.3 million people in Great Britain</a> are classified as "affected others," people harmed not by their own choices but by someone else's. They are invisible in the data, and they don't show up in the headlines. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/gambling">The World Health Organisation</a> estimates that for every one person experiencing serious gambling harm, an average of six others are affected. This is for the others.My father was a senior banker in Pakistan. Respected in his profession, well regarded by those around him. At home, he was far from the man people knew professionally.  When he arrived home from work, he would make excuses and leave the house. Sometimes he wouldn't come home at all. I'd ask my mum where he was, and she didn't always have an answer.When I think back, I feel a sense of fear and emptiness, but at the time, I couldn’t put into words what I was experiencing. I remember the empty chair at dinner and the muffled arguments after bedtime. I was experiencing what psychologists have termed “pervasive loss”; it wasn’t just the financial instability, it was the loss of trust and safety.I was carrying a burden I hadn't chosen to take on.When I was nine years old, my parents had a serious falling out. My mother took us to my grandparents' house on the other side of the city, and we stayed there for five months.The change was overwhelming, and I felt torn apart.I missed months of school, I couldn’t see my father, and I didn’t know exactly what was happening, but I was aware this had something to do with my father’s gambling.Looking back, I remember feeling envious of the other children going to school and coming home to both parents.After five months, things went back to normal for a while, and the family was reunited at home, but I was still trying to make sense of what had been happening. What was my father up to? Where was he going? My father wasn’t a smoker, but whenever he came back, he would smell of tobacco. What was more important than spending time with his family?I followed my father to a nondescript building just off a residential street. I couldn’t make out what was going on inside this building, but I got a glimpse of people playing cards with piles of cash on the tables. I saw him go through that door many times.It transpired that places like this existed openly because of who protected them, people in positions of power who ensured they were never touched.When I was eleven, I confronted my father, and he told me this was somewhere he went to “see his friends.” I didn’t believe him. I knew deep inside he wasn’t just seeing friends.I didn’t want my father to leave, so I used to stand in front of the door to stop him from going, but eventually he found he could get his way by giving me money to play at the gaming shops, where I would sometimes play into the early morning.My father’s addiction had quietly begun to create an addiction in me. My grades dropped, and I was disappearing into screens the same way he disappeared behind that door.At eighteen years old, my parents divorced. My mother, one of my greatest role models, held the family together. At twenty years old, I found valuable mentorship while working at the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation. This helped to fill a space my father had left. I watched how they worked, how they led and how they carried themselves under pressure. I discovered the qualities I wanted as a man. When I was twenty-one, I started a design agency called 4Slash.I was determined to channel my energy and the skills I had developed from my mentors at the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation. Growing my business, helping clients and offering employment energised me as a person and a professional.At its apex, 4Slash had a total of 27 employees and supported more than 200 clients.One of these clients was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/blog/jack-symons-story">Jack</a>. He had a prototype for a basic hosts file MacOS app that restricted access to gambling and needed help in turning it into a product that other people could access. Other products existed for Windows computers, but nothing worked on MacOS. I didn’t quite understand the scale of what he was looking to achieve with Gamban, but I did understand the need for it – both the person struggling with addiction and the child in the next room.I’ve always believed that if Gamban helps just one relationship between parent and child, then I’ve achieved something that I can feel proud of. I found my purpose, but I never found my father. We never properly reconciled. To this day, our conversations, when they happen, are purely superficial. We share no references or family memories.I have two children, aged six and seven, and there is nothing in this world I want more than to be part of their lives. That feeling, that pull towards your own child, is what makes my father's absence so hard to reconcile. He had the choice. I understand now, more than ever, what it costs a child when that choice goes the wrong way. If You're Reading This, Dad…This isn't about blame or shame.I know addiction is not a simple choice. I know there was a version of you that wanted things to be different. What I want you to know is that I took everything I carried growing up and turned it into something. The missing years, the distance, the weight; all of it became the reason I do this work.Every family Gamban supports is where your story and mine meet.I don't hate you; I never did.And to anyone reading this who recognises their own life in mine: the weight you are carrying is not yours to keep forever.If you or someone you know is affected by gambling, visit<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com"> </a>gamban.com

Mavia Siddiqui | Co-Founder Story

A personal story from Gamban co-founder Mavia on growing up as an “affected other” - and how gambling harm impacts families, not just individuals.

And how you can help

If you’re following Gamban across socials, you may have noticed our ongoing support for the campaign to end greyhound racing in England.We see the harm which gambling causes every day, and not just to humans. Greyhounds are abused to the benefit of the gambling industry, and many people don't know what happens behind closed doors. Public pressure can help change policy and save thousands of greyhounds. That’s why we have joined the Greyhound Freedom UK coalition alongside animal welfare groups. Last week, an event in Parliament <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.league.org.uk/news-and-resources/news/new-report-calls-for-a-ban-on-greyhound-racing-in-england/">launched a joint report</a> by GREY2K and the League Against Cruel Sports. The event was attended by Gamban co-founder Matt Zarb-Cousin and Hannah Spencer MP, who <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/18/green-mp-hannah-spencer-labour-caricatures-working-class-people-over-greyhounds-ban">spoke to The Guardian</a> about the campaign.<figure class="image"><img src="https://web-cdn.gamban.com/img/678a0d5e-f76b-4282-90b1-313f19bd29f3.jpg" /></figure><h3>What you need to know</h3><ul><li>Since 2017, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain has reported an average of 4,400 injuries and 169 deaths per year on UK tracks.</li><li>Most racing greyhounds spend up to 95% of their time in cages, with substandard kennel conditions common.</li><li>An additional 3,278 greyhounds have been killed for economic reasons or because they were deemed unsuitable for homing.</li><li>The Greyhound Board of Great Britain contributes less than half the funding required to treat and place retired greyhounds. Adopters bear the cost.</li></ul>Dogs are beloved pets across thousands of homes, so why should greyhounds be any different? <h3>Henry’s Story</h3>"My name is Henry, I am an 8-month-old Greyhound boy with 3 legs. I was looking for a forever home after being taken to be put to sleep when my leg was smashed.”Henry's former owner was a GBGB-licensed greyhound trainer, who appeared to lash out in temper at one of her other dogs at a British greyhound track whilst in full view of the cameras and spectators. This gives an indication to the kind of treatment they endure behind closed doors. Henry is now in his forever home with Lorraine, who said:“A veterinary nurse who worked at the surgery had asked for Henry's life to be spared on condition that she would find him a space at a rescue centre. We were just strangers to Henry, but he put his full trust in us to help him recover from his trauma.”Due to the extent of the damage to his leg, he needed a 2nd operation, which would shorten the stump even further. He’s 9 years old now, and his disability has not held him back. He continues to love life and lives it to the full.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sighthoundwelfare.org/henry-s-story">Source: Sight Hound Welfare</a><h3>What happens after their racing career?</h3>Greyhounds typically race until they are 4 to 6 years old. Every year <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.aagr.org.uk/2020/09/07/injuries-death/#:~:text=Excluding%20the%20severe%20and%20fatal,insufficient%20number%20of%20available%20homes.">hundreds of greyhounds</a> with treatable injuries are ‘euthanised’ or put to sleep by the greyhound racing industry. Andrew Knight, a Veterinary Professor at Winchester University, points out the misleading use of the word ‘euthanasia’ by the racing industry. By definition, euthanasia refers to killing that is not only humanely conducted, but also in the animal’s best interests – typically due to very severe injury or illness when the prognosis for recovery is poor. However, greyhounds in the racing industry are killed not only for treatable injuries but also due to an insufficient number of available homes.<h3>What does the public think about Greyhound racing?</h3>Many people in the UK see greyhound racing as a ‘bit of fun’ until they see what the dogs actually endure. <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/Md7NzgYKTtY"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Md7NzgYKTtY" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div></figure>Many people do not know the scale of overbreeding, injury and killing. Public pressure can change policy.<blockquote>Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder of Gamban, said: “The gambling industry is propping up a sector that is responsible for the systematic abuse of greyhounds. As well as being a voice for our users and their experiences, we want to raise awareness of the harms that are occurring to these dogs as a result of the gambling industry’s practices. Nothing should be made to suffer in the pursuit of profit.”</blockquote><h3>How can we make a change?</h3>The Welsh and Scottish governments voted last month to phase out the practice. Animal <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/apr/03/keir-starmer-urged-ban-greyhound-racing-england-dogs">welfare groups say thousands of dogs in the UK</a> have died in recent years owing to racing in the “inherently dangerous” sport. If you live in England, you can <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamban4greyhounds.com/#write-to-mp">write to your MP.</a> Simply add your details to the form, and a letter will be generated which you can send. Together, we can end greyhound racing.

Why Gamban Has Joined The Campaign To End Greyhound Racing

Gamban supports the campaign to end greyhound racing in England, exposing harm, abuse, and industry practices while urging public action to protect dogs.

Find out how we’re reducing our environmental impact.

Gamban are proud to announce that we are Positive Planet Certified! This means we’ve taken steps to understand and reduce our environmental impact. <h3>What is Positive Planet? </h3>Positive Planet is an organisation that helps businesses become more sustainable through simple, practical steps you can implement across day-to-day operations and compliance.<h3>Why Positive Planet?</h3>Gamban strives to make a positive impact with the work we do, and we also want to ensure this runs through every element of our business. This is why we take things like employee happiness and sustainability seriously. <h3>What do Gamban already do for the planet?</h3>As a business, we already have measures in place which have helped reduce our carbon footprint. <ul><li>Our employees are all remote, removing the need to commute. </li><li>Use of video calls instead of constant travel. </li><li>Laptops over desktops for lower energy consumption.</li><li>Using e-signatures instead of printed contracts.</li><li>Running digital documentation.</li><li>The Gamban app itself is also energy efficient and low-resource.</li></ul><h3>What does Positive Planet certified mean?</h3>To achieve the bronze certification, we have worked with the lovely team at Positive Planet to:<ul><li>Measure our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.</li><li>Improve the quality of our environmental data.</li><li>Commit to ongoing emissions reductions year-on-year.</li></ul>All of this has been independently reviewed and verified by Positive Planet.We’ve also committed to continuous improvement and have signed off on a carbon reduction plan that sets clear steps to help us improve in the next few years.Huge thanks to the team at Positive Planet for supporting us through the process.

Gamban Is Now Positive Planet Certified

Gamban is now Positive Planet Certified. Discover how we’re reducing our environmental impact, improving sustainability, and committing to ongoing carbon reduction across our business.

What the closure means for you, and how to keep your gambling blocks in place.

TalkBanStop comes to an end on 31st March 2026, meaning that Gamban will move to a subscription service in England and Scotland. Gamban will still be available for free in Wales.Other support is still available across the UK. You can continue to protect yourself with tools like Gamban and access a range of support services, many of which are signposted in our app and at the end of this post.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/register/account">Start your Gamban 7-day free trial.</a><h3>What was TalkBanStop?</h3>TalkBanStop was a partnership between <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamcare.org.uk/">GamCare</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/">Gamban</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gamstop.co.uk/">Gamstop</a>, which combined three recovery tools to help you stop gambling.  <ul><li>Gamban blocks access to gambling apps and websites on devices, including the black market</li><li>If you register with GAMSTOP, you exclude yourself from all UK gambling sites for a minimum of 6 months</li><li>GamCare offers free, confidential sessions with a trained advisor</li></ul>We created this partnership because the more layers of protection you put in place to stop you from gambling, the better your chances of recovery.The project has been running since December 2020, and during that time over 100,000 free Gamban licenses have been distributed.<h3>Why has TalkBanStop ended?</h3>Gamban was previously free in the UK through TalkBanStop, which was funded by GambleAware, a charity that has now ceased operations. This year, the UK government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) oversaw the distribution of funding and decided to exclude Gamban on the basis of its entity being a limited company.This was not a reasonable basis to omit the best available gambling blocking software from the commissioning process, and it has forced us to take steps to ensure we can maintain the quality of service our users need.<h3>Will Gamban still be free in the UK?</h3>As a result of OHID’s decision, Gamban can no longer be provided for free in England and Scotland. Gamban will still be free for residents of Wales.Those in England or Scotland can get a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/register/account">7-day free trial of Gamban here. </a>Gamban is £4.99 a month or £29.99 a year. You can protect all your devices with a single Gamban license, including phones, laptops, and tablets. Installing Gamban is easy, quick, and we offer support to guide you through it if required.Gamban blocks nearly half a million betting websites and apps, and we are adding to the blocklist every day. This means both licensed and unlicensed sites are blocked with Gamban installed. The protection is designed to be as difficult to remove as possible in order to help prevent relapse.<h3>What this means for you</h3>If you already use Gamban through TalkBanStopIf you signed up to get Gamban free through TalkBanStop, Gamban’s blocking will last until the end of your selected duration. If you are in England or Scotland and wish to continue using Gamban, you will need a subscription. In Wales, Gamban will remain free.If your TalkBanStop licence is coming to an endTo carry on using Gamban, you will need to sign up for a subscription. If you’ve paid for a Gamban subscriptionThis won’t affect your subscription, and you can continue to use your devices as normal while Gamban blocks betting apps and websites in the background. <h3>Is Gamban still available in the UK?</h3>Yes, Gamban is still available throughout the UK.Gamban will still be free in Wales, and if you’re in England or Scotland you can get <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/register/account">a 7-day free trial here. </a><h3>How to switch from a free TalkBanStop license to a subscription</h3>When your license is nearing expiration, you’ll get a prompt to add your billing details to move to a paid plan. <h3>What other resources are out there?</h3><ul><li>If you have gambling debt, there are organisations that can help. Find out more <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamban.com/blog/struggling-with-gambling-debt">here</a>.</li><li>Self-exclude from all the betting shops in your area <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://self-exclusion.co.uk/">here</a>.</li><li>Self-exclude from all UK casinos <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.senseselfexclusion.com/">here</a>.</li><li>There is support for affected others at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamfam.org.uk/">GamFam</a>.</li><li>There is peer support, and support with the criminal justice system, available at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gamlearn.org.uk/">GamLEARN</a>.</li><li>Gamblers Anonymous isn’t for everyone, but it's available worldwide and is a free, anonymous way to talk to others suffering from gambling harm. </li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://discord.gg/mYJYCEN2ch">The Gamban Discord </a>is another free, anonymous platform where you can get together with others to chat, play games, or just read what others have to say.</li><li>Encourage them to listen to podcasts and videos from others who have recovered. This can be a source of inspiration.</li></ul>

Why Is TalkBanStop Ending?

TalkBanStop is ending on 31 March 2026. Learn why the service is closing, what it means for existing users, and how you can still access Gamban and other support to stay in control of your gambling.

News & Articles

Gamban partners with Sibstar

How To Help A Compulsive Gambler

How To Uninstall Gamban

Introducing Greyhound Watch

Block Gambling Through Your Bank Account 2026

Mavia Siddiqui | Co-Founder Story

Why Gamban Has Joined The Campaign To End Greyhound Racing

Gamban Is Now Positive Planet Certified

Why Is TalkBanStop Ending?

Protect ALL Of Your Devices

News & Articles

List of Articles

Gamban partners with Sibstar

How To Help A Compulsive Gambler

How To Uninstall Gamban

Introducing Greyhound Watch

Block Gambling Through Your Bank Account 2026

Mavia Siddiqui | Co-Founder Story

Why Gamban Has Joined The Campaign To End Greyhound Racing

Gamban Is Now Positive Planet Certified

Why Is TalkBanStop Ending?

Protect ALL Of Your Devices

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