Starling Bank has introduced a delay to its in-app gambling-block, meaning its customers wanting to turn the block off will have to wait 48 hours before they can reactivate spending on betting and gaming.
The feature update, which the bank indicated is supported by mental health and gambling charities, has been designed to create ‘positive friction’ or a ‘cooling-off period’ for the customer.
Starling Bank became the first bank to introduce a gambling block in June 2018, with the feature now being used by 17% of all its retail customers.
When the gambling block is on, Starling cards and accounts are locked for all payments made to merchants associated with gambling or betting, and the block starts preventing payments immediately with no delay.
After listening to feedback from customers, Starling revealed it will also be adding ‘Gambling’ as a new spending category – instead of grouping these transactions under ‘Entertainment’ – which the bank suggested will make it easier for users to see how much they’re spending on betting merchants.
In March, Starling Bank gave evidence at the House of Lords as part of a select committee entitled ‘Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry.’
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