I've been using Monzo (a challenger bank) for a few months now as my main current account. I was delighted to see today they've launched gambling controls. You are able to switch off gambling purchases which means they will be automatically blocked. Also to remove the function, you are required to talk via live chat and wait a period of 48 hours before it is reinstated on your account (which is pretty good for overcoming an urge).
I have been using Gamstop and Gamban as solid protections from gambling but this is another one to add to the list. One idea I've thought of is you can have several banks but just using Monzo as your main "spending" card and chop up the cards for other banks.
This obviously isn't for everyone as it's a mobile online bank which is only accessed via an app - but it's been fantastic for me.
Hopefully this helps someone else as I know when I was struggling to find ways to block gambling, I never got anywhere with my bank and had to shift money responsibility to a family member. This might just give some people more independence.
https://monzo.com/blog/2018/06/19/gambling-block-self-exclusion/
Hopefully more will follow
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
