Security review
Finding the way out before the people it protects do
BetBlocker is a UK charity. Its free software blocks gambling sites and apps. We tested it on four platforms and showed them where to close the gaps.
- Client
- BetBlocker
- Type
- UK charity
- What it does
- Blocks gambling
- Our work
- 2024 to 2026
The results
5 fixes
Issues we found, now fixed by their team
3 routes
Retested on Android and confirmed closed
4 platforms
Android, iOS, Windows and Mac. One report each.
6 devices
Real phones and computers, tested the way a user would
What the charity needed
A block only helps if it holds
People choose how long their block lasts, from hours to years. It has to hold at the moment they most want it gone.
Where are the gaps?
Each device type works in its own way, so each has its own weak points.
What are we missing?
They knew some gaps. They needed an outside test to find the rest.
What do we fix first?
As a charity, their time must go where the risk is highest.
What we did
We thought like someone who wants out
1. On real devices
Test
We tried to get round the block as a user would. No access to the code.
2. By real risk
Rate
We rated each gap by the skill it needs. Easy ones go first.
3. Now and later
Recommend
Quick wins, plus a working test of a smarter way to spot new gambling sites.
4. As we went
Verify
We reported issues during testing, then retested the fixes.
We also checked their 80,000-site block list. About 1 in 3 entries were dead.
In their words
“Their work has been of an exceptionally high standard and will help better protect the tens of thousands of people who rely on our service.”
Is your project stuck?
Tell us where you are. We will tell you honestly what it will take, even if you don't need us.
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