Gamban inks multi-brand gambling blocking deal with Lloyds Banking Group
New blocking service integrated into online banking service with “significant number” of early sign-ups
Gamban has secured a partnership with Lloyds Banking Group through which Lloyds, Bank of Scotland and Halifax customers will be afforded access to the firm’s gambling blocking software.
Initial integration of the blocking service into the Lloyds Banking Group platform was completed in January, with Gamban confirming that a “significant number” of users have already signed up for the service.
Jack Symons, founder of Gamban, said: “It’s very positive to see forward-thinking banking institutions such as Lloyds Banking Group rise to the challenge of protecting vulnerable customers from gambling addiction through barriers such as spend control and collaboration with market-leading gambling-blocking technology, Gamban.”
In addition to the new partnership with Gamban, Lloyds already offers its customers the chance to but a ‘freeze’ on gambling transactions which can be activated from within the mobile banking app to protect customers from potential harm.
Elyn Corfield, managing director of consumer finance at Lloyds Banking Group, added: “We know that gambling related-harm can have serious and long-term impacts on our customers and we are committed to making sure they can easily access a wide range of support.
“In addition to our card controls that allow the freezing of gambling transactions we are delighted to have developed a pilot with Gamban offering our customers three months free access to their software, providing another level of protection.”
The Southampton-based software company provides protection across various operating systems and platforms to prevent at-risk customers from accessing gambling sites.
Gamban’s blocking software has been included in GambleAware’s problem gambling treatment strategy since October 2018.
Several banking firms have targeted gambling-based transactions over the past couple of years including HSBC, Barclays and challenger banks such as Monzo and Starling.
In November, HSBC confirmed that it would introduce daily restrictions on online gambling-related transactions by 2020, including the imposition of daily default spending limits similar to those being used on ATMs.