Three of the UK’s biggest banking groups are exploring ways to support customers who are problem gamblers, although the trio have denied that definitive timeframes for the introduction of payment-blocking tools have been finalised.

Lloyds Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Santander Bank have all confirmed to iGamingBusiness.com that they are considering introducing new tools for clients that would allow them to block debit card transactions to certain sectors, including gambling.

This would bring the trio in line with Barclays Bank, which introduced controls that give customers the option to block or limit transactions with gambling websites, lottery tickets and scratch cards, as well as at retail betting shops, casinos and race tracks in December 2018.

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While UK media has suggested that the three banks are likely to introduce such controls within months, all denied that launch dates had been set.

“We are working on functionality for debit card holders to turn off a number of broad categories of spend, for example gambling,” a Santander spokesperson said.

RBS, which also owns the high street banking chain NatWest, added: “We recently launched the ability for our customers to freeze their credit cards and set spending budgets using our mobile app, and are always looking at further ways to help customers manage their money.”

Lloyds, which like Santander and RBS also told iGamingBusiness.com that it had not offered any guidance on when exactly such tools could be brought in, said: “We have plans to support our customers who need help with gambling.

“Throughout 2019 we will be enhancing our customer communications so customers are informed and alerted to their gambling spend as well as introducing tools to improve self-service options such as gambling restrictions.

“New card controls give customers more control over debit card transactions for extra peace of mind. This will allow users to quickly and securely restrict card usage, for example if a card has temporarily been misplaced or to avoid a card to be used in certain ways.”

Barclays became the first high-street bank to enable customers to block transactions with gambling companies last month.

After working with the Money Advice Trust and other advisers to develop the required tools, Barclays Mobile Banking app users can now block and control spending on gambling, supermarkets, restaurants, takeaways, pubs and bars, fuel and premium rate websites and phone lines

Earlier in 2018, digital banking services Monzo and Starling Bank introduced voluntary schemes to allow customers to block gambling transactions.

Lloyds Bank Block Gambling Transactions

Gambling blocks allow players to stop all spending on gambling sites, including apps and venues. Barclays have had this feature available to customers for a while, but recently they added increased functionality with a 72 hour delay.

The ‘cooling-off' update means that during the 3 day freeze, customers will automatically see their transaction decline for any gambling payments.

While Barclays are not the only bank to offer a gambling block feature, they're the first to introduce a ‘cooling off' period this long. Barclays introduced the feature after investigating feedback from their customers.

The gambling block was introduced to customers in December 2018, and since then the feature has been used over 570,000 times to help gambling customers control their transactions.

Lloyds Bank Gambling Block Software

Sian McIntyre, Managing Director at Barclays says: “We are always looking for alternative ways to support our customers and make it easier for them to manage their finances. Customer feedback on our gambling control showed us there was more we could do to help and we’ve worked closely with them to design the solution. Our customers have told us this 72 hour time delay gives them a real pause for thought and helps when they are tempted to return to gambling.”

Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive of GamCare, says: “The ability to block gambling transactions through your bank card or app is incredibly helpful to those struggling to control their gambling, and is ideally used together with other practical tools such as self-exclusion, blocking software, and specialist support and treatment around the issue.

Barclays aren't the only bank who offers gambling blocks in the UK. Here is the full list:

• Lloyds Bank
• Halifax,
• Bank of Scotland
• MBNA
• HSBC
• Monzo
• Starling Bank
• Barclays
• Santander
• RBS/Natwest
• Cashplus

Customers can start a gambling block via the banking app, telephone, web chat or in the bank's branch. The ‘cooing off' period for most banks is 24-48 hours. Barclays 72 hours is by far the longest.