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Block gambling payments with your bank

Many banks now offer the ability to limit spending on gambling. If you feel that you are spending too much money on gambling, you may want to consider blocking gambling payments with your bank.

They do this by blocking your bank account or debit card which stops the account from being used for gambling transactions.

Which banks offer a Gambling blocking service?

Bank of Scotland
Offers a card locking feature (opens in new tab) specifically for gambling transactions.
Barclays
Customers can block debit card payments to gambling websites and apps (opens in new tab) within their banking app.
Halifax
Offers customers various tools and support (opens in new tab) such as:
  • financial tracking
  • personal support and advice
  • access to Gamban licences to block online gambling.
HSBC
Allows customers to add or remove gambling restrictions (opens in new tab) on their debit cards, including on their Pay by Bank app. They also offer a 'Cool Off Period'. This means that customers can lift a restriction but transactions will still be declined until the period has ended.
Lloyds Bank
Allows customers to freeze and unfreeze (opens in new tab) different types of transactions on their debit cards. They also offer access to Gamban (opens in new tab).
MBNA
Allows customers to keep track of their bills and spending by using their Online Card Services (opens in new tab).
Monzo
Allows customers to block gambling transactions (opens in new tab) on their account, using the app. To turn off the block, customers will need to talk to the Monzo customer support team. The customer support team will ask questions to see if the situation has changed since turning on the restrictions.
NatWest
Offers a card locking feature (opens in new tab), specifically for gambling transactions.
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)
Offers a card locking feature (opens in new tab), specifically for gambling transactions.
Santander
Allows customers to block specific transaction types (opens in new tab) without freezing their Mastercard entirely.
Starling
Allows customers to block online payments, including gambling transactions (opens in new tab) easily from their banking app.

Last updated: 2 November 2023

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