The charity GambleAware has urged that more UK financial institutions adopt “gambling blockers” that help card users enforce their own goals of not charging gambling on their card.
A “gambling blocker” allows a customer to block himself from using his card to gamble. However, GambleAware wants the service to be more widespread among financial institutions that offer cards.
The charity commissioned a report on the effectiveness of the blockers. It used researchers at the University of Bristol’s “Personal Finance Research Centre (PFRC).” It estimated that 60 percent of current accounts in the country are covered by blocker services and that eight banking apps offer the service. Twenty eight million personal accounts do not offer the service. The blockers are being used by about 500,000 customers.
GambleAware Chief Executive Marc Etches stated: “While some banks have taken proactive steps to help shield their customers from gambling harms, the findings of this research indicate that improvements can and should be made. We encourage the banking industry to work together alongside the government and regulators to implement the proposed recommendations.”
