Recommended Free Tools
To make gambling harder to access and pay for, combine safeguards: enable your bank’s gambling transaction control, install a site blocker on the devices you use, and—if you’re in Great Britain—self-exclude from the relevant online operators or venues. Each measure blocks a different route; none should be treated as a guarantee that every payment or gambling service is inaccessible.
Choose controls by what you need to block
Bank controls target transactions a provider recognizes as gambling-related. Blocking software restricts access on devices where it is installed. Self-exclusion applies to participating operators or specified venues. A useful setup layers these controls rather than relying on one to cover every route.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Control | What it interrupts | Where it applies | What may remain outside it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank gambling block | Recognized gambling-related transactions | The relevant bank account or card | Unrecognized transactions or other ways of funding gambling |
| Blocking software | Access to gambling websites or apps | Devices where the software is installed and configured | Other devices, unsupported services, or routes outside its coverage |
| Online self-exclusion | Use of participating gambling accounts | Operators covered by the scheme | Operators outside that scheme’s jurisdiction or scope |
| Venue self-exclusion | Entry or gambling at specified premises | The venue types and locations covered by the scheme | Other venue categories and online gambling |
Turn on a bank or card gambling block
- Look in your bank’s app. Open card controls, transaction controls, or a setting called “gambling block” or similar. Labels and availability vary by provider.
- Ask the bank if you cannot find it. Contact customer support and ask whether it can block gambling transactions, which accounts and payment types are covered, and what steps are required to remove the restriction.
- Check the removal rules before enabling it. Some providers apply a cooling-off period before a block can be removed. This delay can make the control harder to reverse in a moment of temptation.
The UK Gambling Commission’s list, last updated 25 February 2025, names Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, MBNA, Monzo, NatWest, RBS, Santander, and Starling, with different feature descriptions. It is not a guarantee that every account or payment type at those institutions is covered. Confirm the current terms with your bank. See the Gambling Commission’s bank guidance.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Example: Chase UK
For Chase UK, the app path is Home → See card → Manage card → Card controls → Gambling. Chase says its block automatically stops transactions it identifies as gambling-related. It also warns it may not block supermarket lottery tickets or casino ATM withdrawals. To remove the active block, contact customer care; after speaking with an agent, Chase applies a 48-hour delay before gambling card use resumes. These are Chase UK’s stated rules, not a standard process for other banks. Check Chase UK’s current gambling-block instructions.
#1 Best Overall
Block betting websites and apps on your devices
Gambling-specific blockers are designed to restrict gambling sites. General website blockers and parental-control tools can restrict broader categories or set permissions. Choose based on the devices and types of access you need to cover, and check current operating-system support and site coverage directly with the provider. A blocker only helps on the devices where it is installed and configured; it is not a treatment or a guarantee that access can never be restored.
GambleAware lists BetBlocker as free and GamBan as offering a seven-day free trial followed by a paid monthly or annual subscription. Availability, costs, and supported platforms can change. Review GambleAware’s blocking-software guidance and confirm details on the software provider’s own site before relying on a particular option.
Rank #2
Self-exclude from the right operators or venues in Great Britain
Self-exclusion is tied to a scheme’s coverage. In Great Britain, online and in-person gambling use separate schemes, and venue types matter. Choose the scheme that matches the route you want to block.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute- GAMSTOP Online: One registration covers online gambling websites and apps operated by businesses licensed in Great Britain, for the period selected. It does not cover every international or unlicensed operator, nor in-person gambling.
- GAMSTOP Betting Shops / MOSES: Supports exclusion from multiple bookmakers or most betting shops in a person’s area. Check the current scheme information for its exact coverage and contact details.
- SENSE: Covers licensed land-based casinos in Great Britain.
- BISES: Covers licensed land-based bingo premises in Great Britain.
- Other venues: Separate schemes cover specified adult gaming centres, arcades, motorway service areas, and family entertainment settings. Check which scheme applies to the venue type you visit.
Use the Gambling Commission’s current self-exclusion guidance to find the relevant scheme. If you live outside Great Britain, check your local gambling regulator and self-exclusion arrangements; the schemes above are not a universal international system.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Add practical money safeguards and support
If a gambling block alone is not enough, MoneyHelper describes additional bank measures such as temporarily freezing a card, reducing cash-machine withdrawal limits, or switching cash withdrawals off. It also advises people dealing with borrowing to ask lenders about restricting new credit and to seek help with debt. For advice that fits your circumstances, use MoneyHelper’s gambling and debt guidance or contact a qualified debt adviser.
In England and Scotland, the National Gambling Helpline is 0808 8020 133; in Wales, it is 0808 2819 265. The Gambling Commission says the calls are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are elsewhere, contact your local gambling support service or regulator. Find the Commission’s self-exclusion and support information.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
