Source: unsplash.com Gambling blocks allow players to stop all spending on gambling sites, including apps and venues. Barclays have had this feature available to customers for a while, but recently they added increased functionality with a 72 hour delay.
The ‘cooling-off' update means that during the 3 day freeze, customers will automatically see their transaction decline for any gambling payments.
While Barclays are not the only bank to offer a gambling block feature, they're the first to introduce a ‘cooling off' period this long. Barclays introduced the feature after investigating feedback from their customers.
The gambling block was introduced to customers in December 2018, and since then the feature has been used over 570,000 times to help gambling customers control their transactions.
Sian McIntyre, Managing Director at Barclays says: “We are always looking for alternative ways to support our customers and make it easier for them to manage their finances. Customer feedback on our gambling control showed us there was more we could do to help and we’ve worked closely with them to design the solution. Our customers have told us this 72 hour time delay gives them a real pause for thought and helps when they are tempted to return to gambling.”
Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive of GamCare, says: “The ability to block gambling transactions through your bank card or app is incredibly helpful to those struggling to control their gambling, and is ideally used together with other practical tools such as self-exclusion, blocking software, and specialist support and treatment around the issue.
Barclays aren't the only bank who offers gambling blocks in the UK. Here is the full list:
- Lloyds Bank
- Halifax,
- Bank of Scotland
- MBNA
- HSBC
- Monzo
- Starling Bank
- Barclays
- Santander
- RBS/Natwest
- Cashplus
Customers can start a gambling block via the banking app, telephone, web chat or in the bank's branch. The ‘cooing off' period for most banks is 24-48 hours. Barclays 72 hours is by far the longest.
Co-founder BingoDaily.co.uk
