FWE has collected guidelines about everything you need to know about bank gambling blocks to help you understand the tool.
Bank gambling blocks are an effective tool to be used as part of recovery, especially when combined with self -exclusion and blocking software.
What is a bank gambling block?
Bank gambling blocks are free tools offered by most British banks to help your gambling under control. They work by blocking transactions that are categorized as gambling – whether you gamble online or in physical places.
The bank gambling block allows additional friction layers to help stop themselves from gambling. This is an important tool that can support the recovery of your gambling and is best used with blocking software and self -expoding scheme to coat for protection. Find out more about other tools Here.
The gambling block is applied to the card level. If you have a lot of cards, blocks need to be set for each card. You can prepare a gambling block in your mobile banking application, by contacting your bank or by visiting your local branch. Check the table below for how to block gambling in your bank account.
Most bank gambling blocks can be activated in the mobile banking application. Some banks refer to the gambling block as’Cards freeze ‘or’ gambling restrictions’, and they can be found under the ‘card control’ or ‘trader control’ settings. Apart from variations in names, they all have similar functions.
Gambling transactions on credit cards are now prohibited in the UK.
Will the use of bank gambling blocks affect my credit score?
The use of gambling blocks is not shared with credit reference agents and does not affect your credit score. However, if you have routine gambling transactions on your bank report, lenders can consider this when assessing your feasibility.
Is that a cooling period?
The cooling period is the time between turning off your bank gambling block, when your bank continues to allow gambling transactions. This period is usually 48 hours or 72 hours, depending on the bank. The decision to gamble can often be impulsive, so this is an additional step to give you time to reflect on your decision, and decide whether gambling is the right choice for you.
Which bank and electronic wallet offer gambling blocks?
Irish Bank Allies
Establish: Telephone
Cooling period: 72 hours
Scottish bank
Establish: Application, telephone, on the branch
Cooling period: 48 hours
Additional Tools:
- Set a cumulative monthly expenditure limit for gambling transactions (DEBIT card)
- ATM Cash Withdrawal Block (Credit Card)
Barclays
Establish: Application, telephone, on the branch
Cooling period: 72 hours
Additional Tools:
- Set the expenditure limit for a single debit card transaction
- Blocking or changing ATM cash withdrawal limits
- Trace expenditure in the application
Chase
Establish: Application
Cooling period: 48 hours
Danske Bank
Establish: Telephone, in the branch
Cooling period: 72 hours
Additional Tools:
- Set the monthly gambling expenditure limit
- Limit cash withdrawal ATM
First first
Establish: Application
Cooling period: 72 hours
Halifax
Establish: Application, telephone, on the branch
Cooling period: 48 hours
Additional Tools:
- Set a cumulative monthly expenditure limit for gambling transactions (debit cards)
- Blocking withdrawals from ATMs (Credit card)
HSBC
Establish: Application, telephone, on the branch
Cooling period: 72 hours
Additional Tools:
- Limit cash withdrawal ATM
- Exclude Self from Loans
Lloyds Bank
Establish: Application, telephone, on the branch
Cooling period: 48 hours
Additional Tools:
- Set a cumulative monthly expenditure limit for gambling transactions (debit cards)
- Block withdrawal from ATM (Credit Card)
Monzo
Establish: Application, telephone, web chat
Cooling period: Some options, from 2 days to 1 year
Additional Tools:
- Limit cash withdrawal atm (telephone/web chat)
- Write a note to remind yourself why you turn on the block (in the application)
- Exclude from loans (telephone/web chat)
- Gambling blocks are available for business customers (in application)
Natwest
Establish: Telephone, in the branch
Cooling period: 48 hours
Additional Tools:
- Limit cash withdrawal ATM
- Gambling Block Available for business customers
National
Establish: Application
Cooling period: 72 hours
Paypal
Establish: Application, website
Cooling period: 72 hours
Establish: Application
Cooling period: 48 hours
Royal Bank of Scotland
Establish: Application, telephone, on the branch
Cooling period: 48 hours
Additional Tools:
- Limit cash withdrawal ATM
- Gambling blocks are available for business customers
Santander
Establish: Application, safe chat (only mastercard)
Cooling period: 48 hours
Additional Tools:
- Limit ATM cash withdrawalS
- Free text warnings when your balance has fallen below the set
- Check your gambling expenses in my money manager’s cellular application
Bank Starling
Establish: Application
Cooling period: 48 hours
Tsb
Establish: Application, telephone, on the branch
Cooling period: 48 hours
Additional Tools:
- Exclude Self from Loans
Ulster Bank
Establish: Application, telephone, on the branch
Cooling period: 48 hours
Additional Tools:
- Limit cash withdrawal ATM
- Gambling blocks are available for business customers
Zempler Bank
Establish: Application, telephone
Cooling period: 48 hours
Additional Tools:
- Blocking cash withdrawals from ATMs
Hub Support: Free Service by Experian
Support hub is a product faced by consumers who are designed to empower people with the need for support by allowing them to share their needs with many organizations in one way. This free service simplifies the process of communicating all access needs to important services such as banks, utility providers, and more.
- Avoid some conversations: No need to contact every organization individually – Hub supports handling it for you.
- Save time: This process only takes a few minutes, with the updates provided when the organization registers your request. You can update or remove your support needs at any time.
- Get additional support: Receive personalized assistance from service providers based on your situation.
- Explore the support option: Access the list of support options to choose what is important to you.
- There is no impact on credit scores: Sharing your support needs will not affect your credit score or access to credit. The organization uses only information to provide better services.
How long will the bank gambling block survive and how do you delete the block?
The last bank gambling block without time limit. If you want to delete blocks, you can often turn it off through your banking application, or you might be asked to contact your bank directly and talk to customer service. The block will not be turned off immediately, there will always be a cooling period before you are allowed to continue to make gambling transactions.
Can I set a block in a joint account?
If you have an account together with someone gambling, you will not be able to create a bank gambling block on their behalf or for the overall account. For joint accounts, everyone must set their own gambling block.
Additional partner/friend/child. Can I set a block on their name?
Unfortunately, you cannot act on behalf of someone unless you have a power of attorney. If you are the holder of the lawyer and apply the bank gambling block, the block will also be applied to your card. Find out more about how you can protect your finances from our facts.
The bank must automatically block gambling transactions in an account below 18, but talk to the bank if you find it not happening.
What if the block doesn’t work?
When you have an active gambling block, your bank will try to block all transactions that are categorized as gambling. Your bank will not be able to block gambling if, for example, you buy a lottery ticket as part of your grocery store or withdraw cash for gambling.
Banks can only block gambling payments to traders who use the correct trader category (MCC). If gambling transactions are not blocked, this is probably because gambling operators use Non-North MCC or transactions are carried out through electronic wallets (for example Paypal). Paypal currently does not offer bank gambling blocks but if you fight with gambling, talk to your bank because there may be more they can do to help with certain transactions.
Bank gambling blocks are a great tool to coat protection to help you stop gambling. If you are worried about your own gambling or other people, our assistance advisor is available 24/7 to provide special advice that is tailored to your situation. Contact us.
