Safer gambling limits, GAMSTOP and bank blocks

Deposit limits that hold

Set the limit at registration or before the first deposit, at a size that fits the month’s budget. Lowering it takes effect at once; raising it waits at least 24 hours and asks for a confirmation, which puts a pause between decision and change. Since 30 September 2026 a deposit limit counts every deposit, and withdrawals do not restore it, so the monthly figure is spent down rather than reset.

GAMSTOP and bank gambling blocks

GAMSTOP is free and closes online gambling websites and apps to the person registered, for the period chosen when signing up. Every UK-licensed operator must offer it. A bank block works at a different level, on the payment itself:

• Monzo blocks card payments to gambling merchants, with a cooldown from 2 days to 1 year; bank transfers are handled by the bank itself.
• Starling blocks most card payments to gambling merchants and takes 48 hours to switch off; sort-code payments may still go through.
• Chase blocks card transactions, and removal goes through customer care with a 48-hour wait.

Talking it through

GamCare answers at +44 (0)808 8020 133, and its site at www.gamcare.org.uk carries the same support in writing. A conversation can start with something as plain as a deposit that grew larger than planned.

Credit cards and financial checks

Credit cards have been banned for gambling in Great Britain since 14 April 2020, so a deposit goes from a debit card or a bank account. When net deposits pass £150 in a rolling 30-day window, the operator runs a light financial vulnerability check of public records.

What a visit to the site records is described in the privacy policy.