Gamban debuts in Japan amid addiction pandemic
The online gambling blocking app has launched for Japanese users as the country grapples with rising addiction.
Founded by Jack Symons and Matt Zarb-Cousin in 2015, Gamban helps those suffering from gambling-related harms by blocking more than 190,000 websites and 5,000 apps globally. With 55,000 active users, it is already available in languages including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Dutch, Norwegian and Finnish.
A survey by Japan’s National Police Agency in March 2025 found that an estimated 3.37 million residents had used overseas online casinos, with around two million active users wagering an average of ¥630,000 ($4,233/£3,154) each per year, totalling roughly ¥1.24 trillion annually. Around 40% of users believed online casinos were legal, and 75% first tried free-play apps before moving to real-money gambling. Almost 60% reported addictive symptoms, and nearly half borrowed money from family, friends or consumer finance to keep gambling.
In response, the Japanese government asked eight countries and regions, including Canada, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malta, Anjouan Island in the Comoros, Curaçao and the British territories of the Isle of Man and Gibraltar to block Japanese users from licensed platforms. Amid recent crackdowns, celebrities including a boy band idol and comedians were investigated for illegal gambling. A new regulation came into force on 25 September banning all gambling advertisements and prohibiting the launch of new online casinos.
Commenting on the launch, Zarb-Cousin said the team’s mission is “not only to make blocking software as good as it can be, but also as accessible as possible”. With support from Tokyo-based designers, the platform has been tailored for Japanese users in its design and navigation. Other Japanese organisations, such as The Society Concerned About Gambling Addiction, also helped ensure the translation is accurate, accessible and culturally appropriate.
Noriko Tanaka, representative at The Society Concerned About Gambling Addiction, added: “We are a Japanese private organisation that supports people with gambling addiction and their families. Through this collaboration with Gamban, we expect to be able to further support the recovery of those with addiction by using a cutting-edge app that has never been available in Japan before.”