Barclays app integrates user stop for gambling transactions

Barclays Bank has integrated controls to its banking app enabling users to stop their card being used by certain types of retailers including gambling websites and betting shops.

Claiming to be the first high street bank to offer the service, Barclays has implemented the measure in an effort to help customers struggling with addictions and empower them to control their spending.

The feature is currently available to all Barclays debit card customers but will be rolled out to credit card holders at a later date.

“I believe it will make a real difference to people’s lives” Martin Lewis from the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said.

Marc Etches, chief executive of GambleAware, added: “GambleAware welcomes this initiative by Barclays, which we hope will encourage other banks to do the same. There are 340,000 problem gamblers in Britain and a further 1.7 million at risk, and initiatives like this can play an important role in helping to reduce gambling-related harms.”

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