New banking features introduced to help gamblers control spending

Barclays have several banking features to help both compulsive gamblers and compulsive spenders, take better control of their money. They have now introduced an additional feature to give users a 72 hours cooling off period before making any gambling related transactions.

Card blocking and cooling off period

Barclays first introduced the card blocking feature in 2018 which was available to any customer that wished to install this feature. The card blocking feature would stop any transactions to gambling websites so even if a compulsive gambler had the urge to spend, their card would be declined. This would remain in place until the user decided to disable it and then they would be able to make any gambling related transactions once again.

After consulting with customers, Barclays have now introduced a 72 hour cooling off period so that once you’ve lifted any block on your card, you will still have to wait another 72 hours before any payments to gambling sites can be made. This is to allow users to reflect and ensure they definitely want to make the transaction and understand any risks.

How to set up these features

Any customers wanting to take advantage of these features can do so via the bank app, via telephone banking or in branch. If you then decide to remove the block and attempt to make a transaction to a gambling site, your card will automatically be declined with a pop up notice reminding you of the 72 hour cooling off period. It is only after this has expired that any payments can be processed.

Re-evaluate spending habits

As well as the card block and cooling off period, Barclays customers can also take advantage of additional tools to help control spending such as temporary suspension of your card or cash withdrawals and introducing a spending limit per transaction.

These features have been used hundreds of thousands of times by Barclays customers in just the last few months and feedback from users has been that the features have helped them stay in control of their spending and re-evaluate any purchases.