Gambling blocking software maker Gamban has secured a partnership with Lloyds Banking Group. As part of the arrangement, customers of the Group will have access to Gamban’s software which prevents payments for gambling-related products or services.

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A spokesperson for Lloyds Banking Group said, “We continually review our products and procedures, and this is part of that.” Lloyds Banking Group made the announcement right after Facebook announced they will block any, and all advertising that promotes digital currencies services or products. EXCLUSIVE: Barclays, Monzo and Lloyds all report a sharp rise in punters using apps to block gambling sites as campaigners say the coronavirus lockdown is worsening the nation;s gambling problem. 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.

Gamban Agrees on Lloyds Banking Group Deal © Pixabay.

Gamban confirmed integration to Lloyds Banking Group platform had already been completed, and said demand for the product was high with a “significant number” of users have already signed up for the service.

Lloyds’s Group customers, which include Bank of Scotland and Halifax as well as Lloyds bank, have access to the Gamban software as well as the company’s own ‘Lloyds Banking Group Gambling Transaction Freezes’. Customers can access their mobile banking app and totally prohibit gambling or set maximum monthly amounts if they wish to control their spending.

The founder of Gamban, Jack Symons, paid tribute to the banking giant for having the foresight to enter into an agreement that can protect vulnerable customers. He said:

It’s very positive to see forward-thinking banking institutions such as Lloyds Banking Group rise to the challenge of protecting vulnerable customers from gambling addiction through barriers such as spend control and collaboration with market-leading gambling-blocking technology, Gamban.– Jack Symons, Gamban founder.

In a statement on the agreement, Elyn Corfield, Managing Director, Consumer Finance, Lloyds Banking Group said the bank understood that gambling-related harm can have serious and long-term impacts on their customers and was committed to enabling a range of support measures to help them. Corfield said the partnership with Gamban, which would give customers three months free access to the software, would complement the company’s own harm prevention measures.

Gamban, who is based in Southampton, has enjoyed huge success with their software that can be used on various operating systems as well as mobile devices. The software has been used in GambleAware’s suite of treatment tools since October 2018.

Lloyds Bank Gambling Block Software

The banking sector, like the gambling sector, has been increasingly subject to regulatory and public pressure to increase social responsibility efforts. Banks are increasingly expected to show a duty of care towards vulnerable customers. Stakeholders in both industries have been encouraged by regulators to work together to find solutions.

Collaboration between banks and gambling companies may become much more common if affordability checks are introduced. Mentioned in the All-Party Group on Gambling Related Harm interim report, the Group said that improved affordability checks are urgently needed.

The Group said there are no stake and spend limits for players when gambling online and added that it is simply not good enough for the online operators to say they are ‘developing affordability checks’.

The reportsaid operators should have a clear understanding of what is affordable to online users and this should be calculated on a proportion of a gambler’s income, something the operators would need help from financial institutions to set this limit.

What Tools Do Banks Provide Their Users?

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).

Lloyds Bank Block Gambling Transactions

Learn more about Santander's services below.

Can Lloyds Bank Block Gambling

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.