4/12/2022»»Tuesday

Does Gambling Stop You Getting A Mortgage

4/12/2022
If you’re worried about how much you're spending on gambling, then there is lots of support out there to help you. Including banks.
  1. 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.
  2. Gambling and mortgage applications generally don’t mix, so getting a mortgage if you gamble can be difficult, as many lenders deem such activity as a high indication of risk, so there is a higher chance of being refused mortgage due to gambling. The most common issues we are asked about are.

What Tools Do Banks Provide Their Users?

ONLINE gambling and evidence on your credit card statements of paying Paddy Power and other internet bookies is a 'red flag' that may stop you getting a mortgage, the Sunday Independent has learned.

format_quoteThe block is designed to prevent problem gamblers from betting money which they can not afford to lose.format_quote

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

Does Gambling Stop You Getting A Mortgage Lender

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.

Lender

Does Gambling Stop You Getting A Mortgage Rates

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

Does Gambling Stop You Getting A Mortgage Loan

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

Does gambling stop you getting a mortgage rates

Allows customers to block specific transaction types without freezing their Mastercard entirely (iOS devices only, coming soon for Android).

Learn more about Santander's services below.

Why are banks doing this?

Does Gambling Stop You Getting A Mortgage

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.