Barclays Gambling Block

Pilot66

Hi,

I have used this previously, I admit I have gambling issues but had them in control with the aid of this blocking function - I am unable to post links as new member but it can be found easily online.

Anyway this feature was very useful for me and helped me to control my gambling. Back in October I had the 72 hour block activated but I turned it off on a Thursday at approx 15:00 as I knew on the Sunday I wanted to place a bet on the 16:30 Football match. Anyway at approx 15:00 I attempted to deposit but this was rejected, I went to Barclays live chat to ask when the 72 hours was up but they were unable to say when, stating they basically did not know but they were able themselves to turn the gambling facility on instantly and if I ever wanted this done instantly I should contact them. Now to me this is very dangerous and goes agaisnt the whole reason the 72 hour delay was brought in. Anyway I made the deposit and placed the bet and knocked the gambling off again via the app.

Fast forward to January and I had the urge to bet again and I remembered I could get this turned on straight away rather than waiting 72 hours. I did this and of course lost. I complained to Barclays about this and they basically said "tough" and I was told to complain to the Ombudsman, which I have done - still waiting for the outcome

I cannot help but think this is all wrong, I have opened a Starling account as a result as a friend said their gambling block cannot be by passed. 

Just wanted to know other peoples views on this as Barclays are being heralded by many Safe Gambling groups for bringing in this block yet it is really no use at all. I think people need warned about this and my case could be the tip of the iceberg.

Martin Lewis himself is singing their praises in some online articles, as are Gamcare.

Thanks for reading, I don't need any help with my Gambling - I have this under control again with my Starling account - I am just concerned by how Barclays have dealt with this and don't want to pick up the paper one day and see someone has lost a fortune due to bypassing this block with Barclays.

mr_stripey

I think it might be a struggle to blame Barclays for not enforcing a block that they removed with your agreement (if I understand correctly)

Also, I'd be cautious about thinking you have your gambling "under control" just because of a card block on your bank account. It's a good prevention barrier but if you aren't dealing with the "urge" to gamble then you will inevitably find a way around it.

Gamblers Anonymous may be the best place for you to deal with the urge (based on experience of friends and colleagues)

Pilot66

That is fair enough, although it is quite naive what you say.

Been to GA and spoken to Gamcare and both advise putting blocks in place such as these (happened last year), if you search the words "Barclays Gambling Block Nigel" in google you will see the first article shows an article by Barclays in conjuction with Gamcare regarding their gambling block facility, designed to help problem gamblers.

Nigel downloaded the Barclays app to turn off card payments to gambling websites, apps and betting shops. This control has a cooling-off period – if he wants to restart his spending, he’ll need to wait 72 hours before he can do this. 

My Gambling is under control, have a Starling account now and the block cannot be removed instantly, takes 48 hours. Online gambling always been my problem, now I am free of it with the block Starling stick to offering and which Barclays say they offer but simply do not. 

As well as the Ombudsman I have now contacted Gamcare about this who are concerned by this and are looking in to it, you will see online articles where Gamcare actually praise Barclays for the block they say they offer:

Sian McIntyre, Managing Director at Barclays says: “We are always looking for new ways to support our customers and make it easier for them to manage their finances. Customer feedback on our gambling control showed us there was more we could do to help and we’ve worked closely with them to design the solution. Our customers have told us this 72 hour time delay gives them a real pause for thought and helps when they are tempted to return to gambling.”

Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive of GamCare, says: “The ability to block gambling transactions through your bank card or app is incredibly helpful to those struggling to control their gambling, and is ideally used together with other practical tools such as self-exclusion, blocking software, and specialist support and treatment around the issue.

Personally I think this is very poor and having had mates kill themselves through Gambling I think Barclays should be following through what they say. Fair enough if you disagree?

Olinda99

If it is as you describe then I would agree with you. It is pointless and misleading to have a block that you can disable simply by asking on their chat.

MattMattMattUK

Have yourself blocked from all UK legal gambling sites. 

https://www.gamstop.co.uk/

Pilot66 said:

Personally I think this is very poor and having had mates kill themselves through Gambling I think Barclays should be following through what they say. Fair enough if you disagree?

Any block you can get around, even if it takes 48 or 72 hours is largely pointless, even more so if it can be circumvented by others means, which those card provider blocks can be. Using the card blocks is not having gambling under control, it is like a straight jacket or padded cell, designed to give a temporary intervention to allow proper treatment to take place. If someone is relying in a block they have not dealt with their gambling issues. 

Pilot66

It is true, I actually went on and removed it via the chat a few times in Feb to see if they kept on doing it (never gambled in that time) I just wanted more proof for my complaint more than anything.

Not after any compensation or anything like that, I just think this is very wrong - especially with all these media releases they are doing and how Gamcare and GA are praising them for these supposed blocks.

Will just wait and see what Gamcare and the Ombudsman come back with now but to me this is very wrong.

Emmia

I've never personally gambled, but I have the block set up (along with many of the others)  to stop a gambling transaction happening if my card was lost or stolen. 

It is a pity that whilst clearly easy to turn on and off via customer services, that they don't offer a further feature which would place an additional blocker (by request) onto someone's account to restrict the on/off. 

I'm not sure you can blame them for the losing bet though - and in turning the block off, they were only acting on your instructions (have you told Barclays you have a gambling problem?). 

Hopefully you'll have better luck with Starling in terms of managing your addiction....

Pilot66

@MatttMattMattUK

Hi, have gamblock in place now. 

I have my gambling in control, as I have said - can't do anything else to prove this to you. My point is this could happen with other people and I think something needs done about Barclays here, especially when Gamcare and GA and also GAMSTOP say to you straight away once you contact them to use these blocks.

Pilot66

@Emmia

Yes, told Barclays about the addiction in Jan after being able to turn this on instantly and making a complaint. I was then able to turn it back on instantly via the chat on several occasions.

This is the issue I have, they don't seem to be taking this seriously at all - when you look at the comments above from their MD it is pretty shocking:

Sian McIntyre, Managing Director at Barclays says: “We are always looking for new ways to support our customers and make it easier for them to manage their finances. Customer feedback on our gambling control showed us there was more we could do to help and we’ve worked closely with them to design the solution. Our customers have told us this 72 hour time delay gives them a real pause for thought and helps when they are tempted to return to gambling.”

Pilot66

Would like to make it 100% clear I am not after any money back here, I just feel this is very poor and in a way Barclays have only said all this for PR. A young lad of 18 could use this 72 hour block and then be able to knock it off straight away, teh consquences could be horrific.

[Deleted User]

I agree with you, Pilot. It looks like they've just done it as a 'look good' PR exercise - copying the FinTechs, but not taking it seriously. Pathetic.