Summary:
- GamCare recently published a report on bank gambling blocks as part of its GRFH programme
- The report calls on banks to be proactive in promoting awareness of the tool
- The recommendation comes as many Brits remain unaware of the tool’s availability
GamCare has highlighted the importance of bank gambling blocks in helping customers, especially those who have already been considered at risk or vulnerable, keep their gambling under control.
The independent charity is urging banks to increase awareness of the free tool as many people only learned about it when their gambling problems escalated.
Bank Gambling Blocks Require More Publicity
In March, GamCare conducted its second workshop on bank gambling blocks as part of its Gambling Related Financial Harm (GRFH) programme. The virtual workshop was attended by 67 representatives from the financial and banking sector, with speakers from the Behavioural Insights Team, the Betting and Gaming Council, TSB Bank and the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Jonathan, an individual with lived experience of gambling harm, also participated in the workshop and spoke about how bank gambling blocks have helped him with his recovery. However, he noted that not everyone knows that the tool exists.
A lack of publicity is preventing many people from accessing the tool which was proven effective in promoting recovery among those dealing with gambling issues, especially when combined with blocking software and self-exclusion such as GamStop.
GamCare recently published a full report from the workshop, providing a summary of the key recommendations for banks to consider, such as raising awareness about the gambling blocks which was among the main themes discussed during the event. Other areas tackled in the report include activating and deactivating the gambling block, addressing loopholes in the tool, and providing additional support for vulnerable customers.
Report Recommendations
Among the recommendations is for banks to be proactive in informing customers about gambling support tools, particularly if they have already been identified as vulnerable. One way to increase awareness of the tools is by running media campaigns, the report states.
The report also calls on the financial services sector to adopt consistent naming of the tool to avoid ambiguity and confusion among customers. This issue was raised during the workshop by Deelan Maru of the Behavioural Insights Team. Banks and other financial institutions should also make sure customers are routinely referred to external gambling support, such as TalkBanStop.
Apart from continuously testing and monitoring gambling management tools, banks should not stop exploring other ways to support and protect vulnerable customers. They must also clarify to customers that activating gambling blocks won’t have a negative impact on their credit scores.
