Barclays launches gambling spend blocking tool
Account holders in the UK can now block certain payments on debit cards, including gambling
Barclays has announced it will let UK customers block themselves from making debit card payments to online gambling, sports betting and lottery gaming services.
Existing Barclays customers cannot block specific sites or operators, but are able to select which types of spending they wish to allow from their accounts.
Customers can also block spending on groceries, in supermarkets, restaurants, pubs and bars, petrol stations, premium rate websites and premium rate phone lines including TV voting. Payments on any categories selected will automatically be declined.
The new function can be accessed via the latest version of the Barclays mobile app, or in branches across the UK and customers will be able to use the function while abroad. Barclays has also confirmed plans to roll this functionality out to its credit card customers in the near future.
Barclays is the first High Street bank to launch this service, with mobile banking firms Monzo and Starling bank launching similar software this year.
Sky Bet executive chairman Richard Flint took to Twitter to voice his approval for the new measures, saying:
GambleAware tweeted instructions for gamblers on how to block gambling related spending, with CEO Marc Etches indicating his hope that other High Street banks will follow suit.
A spokesman for William Hill also welcomed the move, adding: “problem gambling is obviously a very complex issue and we welcome all tools that could help individuals to control their problem.”
Challenger banks Monzo and Starling rolled out similar features on their apps earlier in the year. Monzo’s is a voluntary blocking tool which can pinpoint transaction codes for gambling payments.
Vulnerable customer specialist at Monzo, Natalie Ledward, said: “To build the gambling block we put together a list of codes that let us identify when you’re making a payment to a gambling merchant. When the feature is turned on, we’ll do our best to block any payments you try to make to those merchants.”