We’re here to help
We understand it takes courage to talk openly about gambling. If you decide to let us know that you’re worried about your gambling or are being financially affected by someone else’s, we can work with you to see how we can help. Anything you say to us is confidential, and we won’t use any of the information you give us without your permission.
Remember, you can keep track of your bills and spending by using our Online Banking App, it’s safe and easy to use.
Gambling Blocks for Debit Cards
Putting a gambling block on your debit card can:
- Stop you being able to make payments to gambling operators. Examples of gambling operators are online casinos, betting shops, and lottery websites.
- Help you to take control of your finances.
How does it work?
The block aims to stop payments that are identified as being made to a gambling operator. The following types of payments will not be authorised where a block has been added to your account, and the operator has been identified as a gambling operator:
- In-store and online transactions (excluding transactions made via Open Banking)
- Contactless and Chip and PIN transactions
- Apple Pay and Google Pay transactions
Some payments may not be identified as being made to a gambling operator and therefore may not be stopped.
How can I ask for a gambling block?
You can ask us to add a gambling block on your debit card by calling our contact centre on 0345 6016 157
It can take up to 2 working days for the gambling block to be applied to your card. We’ll send you a text message to confirm when it has been applied.
What happens if I change my mind?
You can ask for the gambling block to be removed from your card at any time, by calling the contact centre on 0345 6016 157. It can take up to 2 working days for the block to be removed from your card. We’ll send you a text message to let you know when the block has been removed.
FAQs
Self-exclusion
Self-exclusion means asking a gambling operator to exclude you from gambling with them for a length of time, usually between six and twelve months. All licensed gambling operators have their own arrangements to help those who decide to self-exclude.
You can ask the staff in a venue to do this for you, or you can arrange exclusion from multiple gambling venues or sites through ‘multi-operator self-exclusion schemes’:
The Multi Operator Self-exclusion Scheme
Allows you to choose the betting shops that you would like to be excluded from.
GAMSTOP – Gambling Self-Exclusion Scheme
Free online self-exclusion from licensed gambling enables UK residents to exclude themselves from all gambling sites licensed to operate in Great Britain.
Gamban
Offers a tool which blocks access to thousands of gambling websites and apps on all of your devices.
SENSE
National self-exclusion programme for land-based casinos.
The Bingo Association
Allows you to self-exclude from bingo halls.
BACTA
Manages self-exclusion for arcades.
Blocking Software
General blocking software is available and your internet service provider may be able to offer you an option to opt out of certain sites.
You can also ask your mobile phone or interactive TV provider to limit or block your access to gambling services.
Useful Contacts
GambleAware
Free, confidential help and support to anyone worried about their own or someone else’s, gambling.
GamCare
UK provider of confidential free information, advice, practical help and support for anyone harmed by gambling.
BigDeal
Gambling information, advice and support for young people
Dunlewey Addiction Services
Northern Ireland based organisation that provide specialist support to those affected by gambling.
Mind
Advice and support for anyone experiencing mental health challenges
Samaritans
For whatever you’re going through a Samaritan can face it with you 24/7 365 days a year.