UK gambling-blocking app Gamban launches Japanese version

Gamban blocks online gaming websites from all devices.

Japan.- The gambling-blocking app Gamban has launched in Japanese with a dedicated website and onboarding process. First launched in the UK 10 years ago, the app blocks access to more than 360,000 gambling-related domains and apps, adding around 300 new sites daily, and also tracks money and time saved by not gambling,and links users to support services.

Nearly 500,000 people have registered with the app globally, and there are over 100,000 active users. Its availability in Japanese comes amid debate over how best to address the growth of illegal online betting and associated harms in a market where most gambling remains prohibited. 

Last September, legislation came into effect prohibiting online casinos and gambling-related advertising across digital platforms, including social media. The measure extends to celebrity endorsements, affiliate websites, and ranking platforms that direct Japanese users to overseas gambling operators.

However, a survey by the National Police Agency (NPA) in 2025 estimated that 3.37 million people in the country have engaged in online casino play, with nearly 60 per cent in their 20s and 30s. Authorities estimate that wagers placed annually reach about ¥1.24tr (US$8.4bn), much of it on offshore platforms licensed in jurisdictions such as Curaçao, Malta and Gibraltar.

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Gamban blocks online gaming websites from all devices. Japan.- The gambling-blocking app Gamban has launched in Japanese with a dedicated website and onboarding process. First launched in the UK 10…