Responsible gambling cannot be overemphasized in any area of the world, especially jurisdictions traditionally known for regulated gambling. If players were to strictly gamble responsibly, there wouldn’t be a need for many gambling-related social support schemes. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, as many players throw caution to the wind when it comes to gambling online or offline.
In response to the all-around challenging nature of problem gambling, many organizations undertake to lend some support to conquer the ugly trend. In the UK, banks have displayed significant support and solidarity with the Gambling Commission in fighting problem gambling.
They’ve been able to achieve this in several ways, which are discussed in the foregoing paragraphs, as follows:
Blocking Gambling Transactions Through Banks :
UK-based banks have unarguably maintained a steadfast and poignant approach to controlling their customers’ problem gambling tendencies or manifestations. The majority of these banks now monitor transactions occurring on single or multiple accounts owned by a customer.
Once elements of compulsive gambling are noticed, the customer can be summoned and advised to opt for a card block. Alternatively, they can recommend that only transactions related to gambling be banned on the account.
On the reverse, the customer can complain via an in-person visit to the bank, telephone, or bank app. Depending on the option chosen, the account is earmarked for anti-gambling. Once this is done, you can no longer deposit money on gambling sites and apps using the blocked card or account.
The block subsists until expressly reversed by the customer, which would be affected upon satisfactory proof of change. Where the bank sees no change in gambling spendings after reversing the block, it might reinitiate the process all over.
You can initiate a block on UK-based banks like Natwest, Halifax, Monzo, Santander, Lloyds Bank, Barclays, Bank of Scotland, Starling, HSBC, etc. The process is mostly seamless and typically takes not more than 48 hours to be affected.
Supporting GamStop Scheme :
GamStop is an initiative by the National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme Limited aimed at ridding the UK of gambling problems. It is a social cause that focuses on creating a healthy gambling environment, especially for UK players.
GamStop has an array of partnerships with other gambling concerned initiatives both in the UK and beyond. Some of GamStop’s partnerships have been with banks in the UK, as they work hand in hand to eradicate the menace. In addition to traditional bank transfers, other payment systems like Paypal participate in this program. You can find more about payment options among UK players, useful guides, and Paypal casinos not with GamStop in the UK at NonGamStopBets. To conclude, more and more financial structures are joining different supporting programs.
GamStop is a free tool for players, which is where the banks mostly come in. Upon blocking a customer’s account or card, a bank would go ahead to recommend GamStop to the customer. By so doing, the customer can equally detach himself from everything related to gambling for the period they’ve chosen.
Therefore, it’s not just enough for a particular card to be blocked, banks also try to see that gambling sites are completely blocked. GamStop being a top recommended destination for software blocking, will then see that there’s no possibility of gambling with another bank card.
Providing Free GamBan Promotions :
GamBan is another proven veritable tool for fighting gambling-related problems on the web. GamBan is a subscription-based software blocking service that charges a fee to restrict players from gambling on sites or apps. Once subscribed, a player is cut off from the tiniest access to gambling platforms.
Many UK-based banks have made GamBan relatively more accessible to UK players grappling with problem gambling. One way they have done this is by partnering with GamBan to offer free GamBan promotions to players. Instead of the typically paid subscription, a player can have access to GamBan for free via promotions sponsored by banks.
Such promotions run for whatever duration you might opt for, with little to no possibility of reversal. These promotions are mostly available on the UKGC website, GamCare website, UKGC and banks’ websites, and some casino sites. Lloyds Bank, HSBC, Halifax, Natwest, Bank of Scotland, etc. usually offer GamBan promotions to players.
Conclusion
Banks have demonstrated a passionate dedication to their corporate social responsibility of combating problem gambling among UK-based players. This dedication has led to various acts geared towards achieving a free gambling landscape.
It suffices to note that players should also contribute their significant quota to the fight against problem gambling. Players can do so by at least requesting their banks to block their debit or credit cards for gambling transactions.