Gambling Problem Scotland

3/26/2022

Gambling addiction or gambling disorder is defined as persistent and recurring problematic gambling behavior that causes distress and impairs your overall livelihood. Gambling addiction affects roughly 0.2% to 0.3% of the general U.S. Population, and tends to affects males more than females, though this gender gap has narrowed in recent years.
There is a very fine line between problem gambling or Scotland gambling addiction and gambling too much. The critical sign of problem gambling is often hidden from awareness, with denial.

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About Gamblers Anonymous Scotland GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling.

If you’re worried about how much you're spending on gambling, then there is lots of support out there to help you. Including banks.

What Tools Do Banks Provide Their Users?

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Can banks block gambling transactions? We run through the major UK high street banks and outline what services they provide to their at-risk customers.

Many banks are now working on plans to help customers restrict their spending on gambling, offering gambling blocking solutions, with some banks allowing customers to 'turn off' payments to certain types of retailer, including gambling services.

What is the Gambling Block?

While each scheme operates in their own way, fundamentally they all work the same. The gambling block is a feature that allows you to block your bank account/bank card/credit card from being used for gambling transactions.

Which banks offer a Gambling Blocking Services?

Royal Bank of Scotland

Offers a card locking feature to customers which include a blocker specifically for gambling transactions.

Learn more about the Royal Bank of Scotland's services below.

Lloyds Bank

A feature within their banking app, which lets customers quickly freeze and unfreeze different types of transactions on their debit or credit cards. As well as offering their customers access to Gamban.

Learn more about Lloyds Bank's services below.

Halifax

Offers customers various useful tools and support such as; financial tracking, personal support and advice and access to Gamban licences to block online gambling.

Learn more about Halifax's services below.

Bank of Scotland

Offers a card freezing feature, which, include a blocker specifically for gambling transactions.

Learn more about the Bank of Scotland's services below.

mbna

Allows customers to keep track of their bills and spending by using their Online Card Services.

Learn more about mbna's services below.

HSBC

Allows customers to voluntarily add or remove gambling restrictions on their debit cards or credit cards (including Pay by Bank app). HSBC also offers a 'Cool Off Period', this means that customers can opt to lift the gambling restriction, but transactions will still be declined until the 'Cool Off Period' has completed.

Learn more about HSBC's services below.

Monzo

Allows customers to block gambling transactions on their Monzo account, straight from the app. To turn off the block, customers will need to talk to Monzo's customer support team. Where they'll ask questions to see if their situation has changed since first switching on the restrictions.

Learn more about Monzo's services below.

Starling Bank

Allows customers to block online payments, including gambling transactions, easily from their banking app.

Learn more about Starling Bank's services below.

Natwest

Offers customers a card locking feature, which includes a gambling transactions blocker, within the banking app.

Learn more about Natwest's services below.

Barclays

Allows customers to block debit card payments to certain types of merchants, including gambling websites and apps, within their banking app.

Learn more about Barclays' services below.

Santander

Allows customers to block specific transaction types without freezing their Mastercard entirely (iOS devices only, coming soon for Android).

Learn more about Santander's services below.

Why are banks doing this?

People who have gambling problems and decide to stop can choose to self-exclude from gambling, use software to block online gambling sites and self-exclude physically from betting shops and casinos. While these are all helpful ways for people to get support, many banks believe they can do more to support self-exclusion too.

COVID MAY BE KEEPING US HOME, BUT WE’VE NEVER HAD SO MANY MEETINGS EACH WEEK, ALL ACROSS SCOTLAND

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, and in compliance with directives from the UK and Scottish Governments, all local group meetings (those that are held in community meeting places) have now been replaced with video and teleconference meetings. We have more meetings per week than ever before. Wherever you are in Scotland there is a meeting you can join.

G.A. SCOTLAND IS ALWAYS HERE TO SUPPORT ANYONE WHO HAS A DESIRE TO STOP GAMBLING.

Group meetings have always been at the core of our recovery programme, and whilst we cannot currently meet collectively in a room, we have adopted alternative methods to maintain our unity and continue to support all who come to us for help. Meetings are being held via Zoom and also by Telephone Conference Calls.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF GA ZOOM AND CONFERENCE CALL MEETINGS HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Our 24 Hour Telephone Helpline and our Webchat facility are manned by recovering compulsive gamblers with first hand experience of arresting their gambling addiction and finding a better life through the GA Recovery Programme. These members can find you local help.