National Australia Bank Offers Gambling Payments Blocker Via Mobile App

Looking for new ways to help customers better control their finances, NAB has become the first bank in Australia to offer the option of blocking gambling transactions via its mobile app.

First put into practice via iOS devices in December 2019, the gambling block capability has now been extended to Android smartphones and tablets, letting all retail banking customers with NAB Visa Credit or NAB Visa Debit cards limit most gambling transactions including sports betting, casino games, online gambling, and lottery tickets instantly.

Rachel Slade, NAB Chief Customer Experience Officer said:

“It’s very easy to place a bet, so there’s real value in giving people the option to plan ahead and control their spending. This tool is designed to put the choice in the hands of our customers“.

“Since commencing the roll-out in December we have seen more than 10,000 customers turn on the restriction, highlighting the importance of offering easy-to-use tools for customers to manage their finances.”

Considering the fact, that the latest annual Australian Gambling Statistics report published at the end of 2019 showed almost $25 billion of gambling-related payments in 2017-18, Ms. Slade believes the new app would support Aussies in holding sway over their financial future.

“We’re making it easier for customers to take greater control over their money,” Ms. Slade added. “We also recognize problem gambling remains a major challenge affecting the community and one that requires organizations, governments, and the community to work together to effectively address.”

The app is one more step forward that upgrades National Australia Bank’s gambling restriction service launched in March 2019 to provide blocking options via phone Customer support.

From now on, customers are able to control their funds faster and in a more convenient way since the app alternative covers almost all Visa credit card transactions. In some cases, however, restrictions cannot be applied. For instance, it’s the situation with cash withdrawals made with Visa Debit Card or when merchants are not identified as gambling vendors.

Depending on…

… whether a primary cardholder and additional cardholder share the same card number or not, the latter can also apply restrictions but, naturally, to his/her card only. Other people eventually able to perform this action are those who hold a Power of Attorney or have third-party access to another person’s internet banking.

Users are also provided with the option to remove the blocker either via the app or by calling the customer support, the re-activation will take 48 hours and during this period of time, there’s a possibility to cancel the request.

According to NAB, the country’s largest business bank is planning to offer new opportunities for clients to “improve their financial health and wellbeing” in the situation when many Australians continue to face significant budgeting challenges.

Source: “NAB offers gambling restriction option in app“, National Australia Bank, February 21, 2020.