GambleAware to study gambling blockers with new three-year programme
New research partnership to focus on how banks can combat gambling-related harm
GambleAware has launched a three-year research partnership aimed at examining how financial services organisations can help combat gambling-related harm.
The new partnership, with the University of Bristol’s Personal Finance Research Centre (PFRC), aims to address concerns regarding the financial and social consequences of gambling.
As part of the three-year programme, researchers will work with at-risk gamblers, operators and financial organisations including high-street banks, lenders and debt collection agencies to explore a range of options to tackle financial losses caused by gambling-related harm.
Researchers will also work with several treatment and support organisations as part of the partnership. The first six months of the programme will investigate the effectiveness of gambling blocks and how their potential could be maximised.
Other topics up for consideration include drafting practical guidance for financial services firms in how to support customers affected by gambling-related harm, together with practical tools and the feasibility of a ‘single gateway’ for credit self-exclusion.
Earlier this year, the Gambling Commission launched a consultation into banning all forms of gambling via credit cards. However several respondents challenged whether the ban would result in failures in AML, source of wealth and responsible gambling checks on players.
At present Natwest, RBS, Barclays, Santander and Lloyds have all introduced gambling-blocking functionality for their customers, together with so-called challenger banks including Monzo and Starling.
Professor Sharon Collard, who is leading the programme at the University of Bristol, said despite the increasing prevalence of gambling spending block solutions, there was limited evidence of the effectiveness of such controls and the characteristics of those using them.
“We also don’t know much about the unintended consequences of these spending blockers. For example, whether it leads to customers withdrawing more money as cash and gambling with that,” Collard added.