Help with gambling and your finances
If you are worried that you are spending too much money on gambling, and it’s negatively impacting your relationships, then we may be able to help.
We have an optional gambling freeze or limit for your debit card which could help put you in control of your spending. We also have a range of tools that may help you make changes to reduce the harm gambling causes. The first steps are often the most difficult when asking for help and support.
Michael’s story
Michael started playing the slot machines at school with his friends. It was fun and the amounts were small but, as time went on, he was attracted to online gambling. Michael was spending more time online, betting bigger amounts and more frequently.
Soon he was betting more than he could afford, borrowing money from friends and family, trying to win back his losses. Michael told us “I wanted to stop but didn’t know how, I felt trapped and alone.”
This is when we contacted Michael
Michael spoke to our colleague, Chris, who listened to his situation and took him through the options available. Michael said, “gambling had ruined my life, and it was controlling me.”. He opted for the gambling freeze on his debit card, he told us " I didn't know my bank could do this, it has lifted the pressure off my shoulders. I feel like I can breathe again.”
Chris checked in with Michael soon after. “I haven’t gambled for over a week, I can’t remember not gambling for a day never mind this long,” said Michael. He told us how blocking gambling payments had a positive impact on his family life, “I was ashamed of my gambling, I didn’t want my loved ones to know but once I opened up to them they were so supportive”.
Gambling harm isn’t just about losing money, it can affect your emotional and physical wellbeing.
Understanding the role gambling plays in your life and its effect on your loved ones is an important step in making changes and reducing harm.
Here are some signs of gambling harm:
- Uncontrolled spending, getting into debt
- Gambling for significant periods of time
- Gambling is taking up a lot of head space.
- Trying to make money by gambling.
- Trying to win back money lost through gambling.
- Hiding the extent of gambling from loved ones
- Negative impact on relationships with family and friends
- Wanting to stop gambling but feeling you can’t or don’t know how.
If you recognise any of the signs above and you are worried about your gambling, we may be able to help you take control of your relationship with gambling.
We have different ways to support you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
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Freeze or limit gambling payments
You can instantly freeze debit card transactions at gambling merchants or limit them over a rolling 30-day period. You can pick the option that works for you. Both options are free and will not affect your credit rating.
Removing or increasing any block or limit will take at least 72 hours, this cooldown period will give you time to reflect on your decision.
How does it work?
We rely on the merchant’s registered business type, also known as an MCC code. Every time you spend money with a gambling operator, the transaction is tagged with a gambling merchant category code (MCC 7995). When you use the gambling freeze or limit, we will manage any gambling transactions that use this tag. All Danske Bank personal credit cards are automatically blocked for gambling transactions that use MCC 7995.
We can't guarantee we'll be able to identify all gambling transactions as sometimes they aren’t tagged with the correct information, so you'll still be liable for any that do go through. For example (this is not an exhaustive list), this won’t stop:
This won’t stop
- Buying a lotto ticket or scratch card at some shops
- Direct bank transfers, Direct Debits or Standing Orders
- Using an ATM near or in a casino or betting premises
- In-game video game purchases
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How do I set it up?
We're here to support you, and there are multiple ways to get in touch:
- Online Banking: Send us a message via your online banking.
- Phone: Give us a ring at 0345 600 2882 and we can help you with your queries. Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm / Sat & Sun: 9am-5pm.
- In-person: Feel free to chat with any of our team members.
Choose the way that works best for you, and we'll be there to help.
- Online Banking: Send us a message via your online banking.
- Phone: Give us a ring at 0345 600 2882 and we can help you with your queries. Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm / Sat & Sun: 9am-5pm.
- In-person: Feel free to chat with any of our team members.
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Gambling and your Finances
Gambling can lead to money worries. If you are facing financial difficulties because of your own or someone else’s gambling, getting your finances under control is a key step.
Gambling should never be viewed as a way to make money or overcome financial difficulties. The longer you gamble, the more you will lose. Instead, there are practical steps you can take to get you through tougher times, and ways to protect your loved ones from financial harm too.
We can offer practical information and direct you to specialists who can help, both here, and outside Danske Bank for more information, please visit Money Worries | Help | Danske Bank
Freeze or limit competition website payments
Websites that offer cash and high value prizes have become more common. Entering these competitions can be a bit of fun in moderation but, for some it can get out of control and cause harm, much like gambling. We may be able to help you take back control of your spending on these websites.
You can instantly freeze your debit and/or credit card transactions at competition websites or limit them over a rolling 30-day period. You can pick the option that works for you. Both options are free and will not affect your credit rating. Removing or increasing any block or limit will take at least 72 hours, this cooldown period will give you time to reflect on your decision.
How does it work?
Like the gambling option, we rely on the merchant’s registered business type, also known as an MCC code. Every time you spend money on a competition website, the transaction is tagged with the merchant category code (MCC 7994). When you use the competition website freeze or limit, we will manage any transactions that use this tag.
We cannot guarantee we'll be able to identify all competition website transactions as sometimes they aren’t tagged with the correct information, so you'll still be liable for any that do go through.
Important information
Competition websites share the same merchant category code (MCC 7994) as some other businesses like video gaming companies and amusement arcades so using a freeze or limit could also restrict access to other businesses.
How do I set it up?
We're here to support you, and there are multiple ways to get in touch:
Choose the way that works best for you, and we'll be there to help.
Self Help
We partner with specialist organisations that can offer additional help Whether you’re looking for confidential advice, treatment, help with money, or you’d just like to speak to someone, find the support that’s right for you.
GamCare is the leading UK provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. They also provide self-help tools and resources for those who would like to change their relationship with gambling.
Telephone - 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Website – www.gamcare.org.uk 
Live Chat - Chat to us now
Self Help - Self help - GamCare
Money management - Money management - GamCare
Young People and Gambling - BigDeal 
- BigDeal is a place for young people to get information, advice, and guidance about gambling, either for
themselves or
someone they care about. They also help parents and professionals such as teachers, social workers, and youth
workers.
BigDeal Budget Tracker:
BigDeal’s budget tracker is a great way for you to keep track of your money and have a better understanding of how much you’re spending and where you’re spending it https://bigdeal.org.uk/bigdeal-budget-tracker/
TalkBanStop is a partnership between GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP which brings together an important combination of blocking software, self-exclusion, and support. When used together, this blend of support and practical tools can be more impactful for people seeking to stop gambling, giving additional layers of protection from harm.
Website: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/talk/
Block Gambling Websites & Apps - Gamban Gambling blocking software.
GAMSTOP - Gambling Self-Exclusion Scheme Free online self-exclusion from licensed gambling websites in UK.
