I hope Monzo eventually use this as a referral to GamStop, as then you’d be self-excluded from all gambling products, no matter what method used (and gambling sites would be forced to return your money and do everything they could to stop you using them).
Maybe get in touch with GamCare and the UKGC around what you are actually allowed to do around this?
Not much more I can add to this thread, other than thank you so much.
I won’t go into too much personal. I just am so overwhelmed with my Monzo experience so far. This feature update today has just added onto the ever growing list of positives.
The openness, the future thinking and experiences so far, just wish I could find a way to say thank you, better than just typing thank you.
Also, can I say again, the people at monzo are amazing, i’ve had some really great experiences via monzo chat in times that in past at other places have not been very supportive!
This feature will have a knock on effect to not only help single users, but the families around them where someone identifies them self as having a gambling problem.
Hello, I love what you’re trying to do, what worries me is that this will only apply to online betting sites? I hope I’m wrong!
As you know a lot of those same online betting websites operate on our high streets, often targeting the most depraved areas. I have struggled with gambling addiction all of my adult life, and in my experience the only effective way to self exclude is online, which you can easily do with each individual betting website - where some allow a maximum of 5 years ban, and others allowing lifetime bans, and I believe all will have to allow the option of lifetime bans before long.
With that said I’m not sure how necessary this feature you are trialling will be? Unless it includes card payments attempted in high street bookmakers which would make this feature truly unique!
I have tried so many times to self exclude with retail bookmakers and although they’ve all got my picture and details on file, I have consistently been able to carry on gambling in those same betting shops.
If you were to include the retail transactions it would certainly minimise people’s oppurtunity to gamble, especially as we are moving away from carrying/using physical cash - instead opting to use Contactless transactions like I do with apple pay.
Please can you let me know if this only applies to online betting websites? And if so could you pass this onto the team trialling the system to see whether they can consider widening the scope of this feature
That could save lives! And I will be switching bank accounts to Monzo right away!
Thanks
Joel
My understanding is betting shops also send through transaction details if you’re using card. The cash withdrawal limiting will aid in not being able to get cash to bet. 99% retailers accept card, so even going cashless wouldn’t be that impossible.
“One day at a time”
Can you clarify what you mean? Surely blocking transactions online wouldn’t automatically include retail card payments with the same betting companies. And when you call them they always have an online betting department that operates completely separate from their retail department, effectively functioning as separate companies, or as good as
When you pay by card at any possible point, or online. Details are sent for transaction to bank, containing code for transaction type. I’m not expert but they should be treated the same. I might be wrong
It works because whenever you make a payment the merchant sends MasterCard certain data, which MasterCard then sends Monzo, as part of the payment authorisation process.
One of those bits of data is the MCC (merchant category code) & all merchants, whether online or on the highstreet should (the system’s not 100% reliable) have an MCC that identifies them as a betting shop. Monzo can choose to decline payments to merchants which have certain MCCs.
This system is also used for corporate expense cards, for example, to help stop employees expensing things that they shouldn’t..
If this includes retail transactions you really could transform my life, I’ve come up with ways to limit my access to physical cash but this was a sticking point for me with being able to use card/Contactless payments in the betting shops! I’m currently waiting to go to a residential rehab for the second time in my life and I will be turning 30 halfway through treatment. This is huge for me
Awesome! It does include retail transactions 
Well you’ve made my day and much more, I’ll be sure to spread the word about this! I’ll be switching from Barclays to you at the earliest oppurtunity, do Monzo credit check to open an account as that would be an issue for me
We are informed when you use your card online or in-store whether it was a gambling transaction, so this feature works for both.
They don’t credit check for account with no overdraft . I’ve got an account I should know with my past ha ;). Best choice I made was switching to monzo. Even the staff are beyond expectations on a few times I’ve had some pretty stressful issues.
They do a soft check to verify identity but it’s not to give credit so you won’t be excluded for a poor ‘credit score’.
Could have saved yourself some typing and just linked to Alex’s post above 
Sure this has been posted before but :
https://www.gamstop.co.uk new project for single form to block from all online gambling sites which participate (all UK gambling sites by end of the year!)
http://www.self-exclusion.co.uk will kindly post your completed form and photos to all stores within your choosen distance from work and home
Hope this might help additionally to someone 
I’ve done this mate all they do is send your picture and details to all the betting shops you frequent. But it is not effective, believe me tried and tested. There is a similar system for casinos which is effective, called SENSE, you can opt to ban yourself from casinos nationwide, and as casinos require ID to enter, it works as you are flagged on their systems straight away, I have been turned away before. With high street bookmakers you are rarely challenged and as their staff frequently change you cannot rely on them Remembering your face either
Self exclusion online works
Self exclusion for casinos works
Self exclusion to high street bookmakers does not
I’ve tried it all too, part of the onus is on you. Usually when I’m skint, I often call into betting shops who already have my photo and say hi to counter staff if I’m feeling confident and remind them im excluded and tell them my name (they never forget again and often put your form back at the front of file!) One explained they are supposed to check at Start of shift but they get lots. Yeah it’s a bit embarrassing but saves my salary!!
Not usually this open and honest but if it has a chance of helping I don’t mind !
I’m with you, unfortunately I get in such a rut that I do not have that strength to do what you have done consistently enough, if there are ways I can take the decision out of my hands and help prevent relapse then this is what I will do and I feel like this could transform my life. And it will inspire other banks to follow suit
I raised a petition to MPs to make it compulsory for all bets to be via card and banks to allow self exclusion (like monzo have !) Which got a poor reply and advised of GamBlock.
If we keep trying now Joel they’ll get things in place to realise addiction/mental health is more important than profits, socially acceptable habits and taxes !
I’m really hoping the new legislation to limit all FOBT (fixed odds bettering terminals) to £2 stake comes into place.
This is first time I’ve posted anywhere openly about my problem, sorry apologies monzo community for lots of posts rambling in past hour !
No you are helping others too no need to apologise! I’m. Totally with you I do hope the greed that gambling companies have been able to get away with is slowly coming to an end