Gambling blocker apps compared: what they do and what they miss
If you need to talk to someone tonight: call 1-800-GAMBLER or text 800GAM. Confidential, 24/7, for families too. In a crisis, call or text 988.
"Best gambling blocker" is a hard question because the answer depends on you. This page describes the main types, what each is good at and where each falls short. We make Winner's Win, so read this as a maker's view. Our longer comparison, Winner's Win vs Gamban vs BetBlocker, cites sources and says where the others are better.
The main types
- Charity-run solo blockers (for example BetBlocker, run by a registered Scottish charity).
- Subscription solo blockers (for example Gamban).
- Circle-held blockers, where other people hold the key (Winner's Win).
Side by side
| BetBlocker | Gamban | Winner's Win | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, Fire OS | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac | iPhone; Mac coming soon |
| Site list (their claim) | 857,000+ sites | 75,000+ sites and apps | 340,000+ sites, plus rules for new addresses |
| Turning it off | You choose a restriction from 1 day to 5 years; removal has a 7-day cooling-off | Designed to be hard to remove; removal goes through support | Needs the circle's agreement, then a one-hour wait |
| Someone else told if it comes off | No | No | Yes, up to four people |
Features and site counts are each company's own claims, checked on October 6, 2026 in the US, from betblocker.org, gamban.com and the App Store listings. They change, so check the sources before you decide. We aim to refresh this page every quarter.
Honest pros and cons
BetBlocker: cost is not an obstacle and it runs on the most devices. The lock is a timer, so when it ends or is removed, nobody else knows.
Gamban: polished and built to be hard to remove, with Money Saved and Time Saved tracking. It is a lock with one key, held by you and the company.
Winner's Win: the only one of the three where other people hold the key, are told if protection goes off and vote on unlocks. iPhone only for now and new, so no track record of reviews yet.
Where a circle-held lock fits
If you have tried a block before and what undid it was you, late at night, then another person holding the key is the piece that was missing. If you have never tried a block, start with a solo one. It may be all you need.
How to choose
- List the devices you use. Match the platforms.
- Ask what undid your last block, if you had one.
- Decide if you want someone else involved.
- Read the source pages above before you commit.
Whatever you choose, apps with their own network settings, other people's devices and in-person betting are not covered by any blocker.
Winner's Win is an iPhone app that puts people you trust in charge of the key. Your helpers never need the app.
Questions
Which gambling blocker is best?
It depends on what has undone a block for you before. A solo block suits some people. A block held by other people suits those who found they could switch off their own.
Do blockers work on every device?
Not usually. Check each tool's platforms. Most cover phones and some cover computers.
Can I use two blockers on an iPhone?
Be careful. An iPhone runs one DNS or VPN-style blocker at a time, so two can switch each other off. Ask each company's support first.