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Tens of thousands of people have signed up to a new service from two mobile-only banks designed to help problem gamblers. One former addict says this "gambling block", available on the banks' apps, helped him beat his addiction.

"I'd be setting my alarm to wake up at 4am to do a first bet," says Danny Cheetham, who began placing bets in his early 20s.

"I'd plan my route to work so I could call in to a bookies which opened early for commuters."

Danny, who is now 29, found himself betting in bookies, on slot machines and online. He gambled a lot on football, which he doesn't even like.

He began relying on overtime from work and on payday loans. In the course of eight years, Danny, who's from Stockport, estimates he lost more than £50,000.

He sunk into depression and moved in with his dad as he could not afford to pay rent.

It was the death of his mum Christine in 2015 that he says was the turning point for him - but he was not able to kick his habit until he signed up to a gambling block with his bank, Monzo. The so-called challenger bank is a mobile-only version of a traditional bank.

Once the block is activated by the customer, it can spot any transaction that person might try to make with bookmakers - either online or in a shop - by using merchant category codes. It instantly stops the transaction from happening, before any money has left that customer's account.

If a customer is tempted to place a bet in the heat of the moment, there is a 48-hour cooling-off period before the block is switched off. There is also a daily limit on cash withdrawals.

Monzo CEO Tom Blomfield says the block was introduced because customers asked for it.

"We have a team of people who work with vulnerable customers and they were getting this feedback quite often" he says.

More than 25,000 customers have signed up to the bank's block since it went live in June.

"Not all of those were problem gamblers [but] about 8,000 people did have a history of gambling," says Mr Blomfield.

"We've... seen a 70% decline in their gambling transactions so [it's made] a really big impact."

Another challenger bank, Starling, is offering a similar type of block. It's gained 20,000 users since its launch in June.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling on the big five high street banks - Lloyds, Santander, HSBC, RBS Group and Barclays - to offer the same type of service.

Doctor Henrietta Bowden-Jones told BBC Radio 4's Money Box: "If you are unable to access funds, this type of gambling block can save people's homes and their families."

The banks say protecting vulnerable customers is a priority and they are always looking at new ways to do that.

The Gambling Commission is talking to financial institutions about how to improve protection for problem gamblers.

Three years on from taking his first steps to beat his gambling addiction, Danny says he is happy.

"And I've actually got money in the bank which I never thought I'd have," he says.

"I'm well on target to being debt-free by my 30th birthday, which is my next one, and I just don't feel depressed or helpless like I used to."

He says he can now think about his future and - although he will have a bad credit file for up to six years - he says this will give him time to save for a deposit for his own place.

"I just don't feel like it's an endless battle any more."

What's funny is that crypto users are by default some of the biggest degenerates in general and crypto gambling is just a drop in the ocean. The real danger is playing the market.

Addiction of any kind are bad for the human body, plus its a frustration really. If there are remedies that work to combat such addictions, particularly gambling those should be made available. It could save many people.

I actually found this interesting story of a former addicted gambler who was able to use a bank application made specifically for those who are trying to fight their addiction to help his situation out and I thought sharing it to the community for further discussion would make some sense or if it can probably help someone to cure his or her addiction as well.


It is crazy to see what gambling addiction can do to someone lookong at his story. Addiction is actually one hard thing to get out from and to know an app can really be of help is quite amazing. What do you think?

Yes, there are really some remedies but when your addiction comes to a point on where you do seek ways inspite on having such blockage then it would be an another story.Addiction is a kind of disease that cant really be easily cured unless you wont realize that you are already destroying your life gradually. I doubt that this app isnt applicable on crypto for sure yet we know that anytime we can make access on our own funds since we do have the full control of it.

By reading that article, we can see that how dangerous to become addicting in gambling and how much money we can lose. I agree with the bank that offering their services to block all transaction related with gambling so the money will not be out for placing the bets. I think this is a great idea and if this implemented in all bank, then I think this can reduce the addicting in gambling so people can have their money in their account. And Danny is the real proof to us that he can beat the addicting in gambling so now he can save his money and he can feel happy to see his account number.

Why rely on an app tho? Why can't we as human beings help another and seek helo to one another? Like you said, we have full control on our funds in crypto so why not just ask someone like your relative to monitor your expenses when it comes to gambling. In that way, a real living person can give you the consequences of not doing what they are supposed to. Seeek council to a professional and ask for hwlp about your addiction.

Why rely on an app tho? Why can't we as human beings help another and seek helo to one another? Like you said, we have full control on our funds in crypto so why not just ask someone like your relative to monitor your expenses when it comes to gambling. In that way, a real living person can give you the consequences of not doing what they are supposed to. Seeek council to a professional and ask for hwlp about your addiction.

What's funny is that crypto users are by default some of the biggest degenerates in general and crypto gambling is just a drop in the ocean. The real danger is playing the market.

Why rely on an app tho? Why can't we as human beings help another and seek helo to one another? Like you said, we have full control on our funds in crypto so why not just ask someone like your relative to monitor your expenses when it comes to gambling. In that way, a real living person can give you the consequences of not doing what they are supposed to. Seeek council to a professional and ask for hwlp about your addiction.

You have not been an addict before to understand or possibly come across some before, but if you eventually get to do, you will know how difficult it can be for anyone to pull them out of it, unless for interventions like this.

Why can't we as human beings help another and seek helo to one another? Like you said, we have full control on our funds in crypto so why not just ask someone like your relative to monitor your expenses when it comes to gambling.

After reading this article, I would say the main character mentioned in this article does have strong determination to fight against his own gambling addiction, if a person who is seriously addicted to gambling does not even have a strong perseverance and determination to quit gambling, I believe this banking app would not be able to help much too. This story shows how scary it is when someone became seriously addicted to gambling, they could end up paying debts for their whole life due to their gambling addiction, and basically their life would be ruin if they are not able to step out from it.

I kinda agree with this, there definitely needs to be a strong will to quit their addiction, otherwise they'll just find other ways to get money.
When you're a real gambling addict, you need the help from your family/partner as well to help you manage your money.

An addict will do whatever he/she can to get more money. They'll lie, steal or find money somehow and this banking app wouldn't stop them if they really wanted to get their hands on money.
That said, I do think it can be a very helpful tool for someone who's determined to quit gambling.

After reading this article, I would say the main character mentioned in this article does have strong determination to fight against his own gambling addiction, if a person who is seriously addicted to gambling does not even have a strong perseverance and determination to quit gambling, I believe this banking app would not be able to help much too. This story shows how scary it is when someone became seriously addicted to gambling, they could end up paying debts for their whole life due to their gambling addiction, and basically their life would be ruin if they are not able to step out from it.

After reading this article, I would say the main character mentioned in this article does have strong determination to fight against his own gambling addiction, if a person who is seriously addicted to gambling does not even have a strong perseverance and determination to quit gambling, I believe this banking app would not be able to help much too. This story shows how scary it is when someone became seriously addicted to gambling, they could end up paying debts for their whole life due to their gambling addiction, and basically their life would be ruin if they are not able to step out from it.

Yes. From the look of things actually, you can only request for the application being used on your account if you really feel you want it and it is not like it is imposed on anyone, so in a way, that strong determination is something that would really come in handy to be able to want to quit.

The problem most of the time is people actually want to get help, but the fact that they are addicted and they cannot easily get something to hold them back most of the time when the addiction comes calling, is something that can be a whole lot challenging which is why I believe it is reasonable for a gambler to know he is already on a wrong path and then be willing to change as well.

Yeah, quitting gambling is actually not an easy task on its own for someone who is addicted, so we have to take that into consideration and to have gotten to that stage, one way or the other for the person, there must have been a moment that would have really taken them aback to check on their life and see that things are not actually going right and in this case, this guy mentioned the death of his mother was the major factor that even sprouted it in him.

However just like barcode said, it is still all about the strong determination and I agree with what you said that an addict will always go to any length to just want to satisfy that urge, which I believe even as much as this tool can be helpful, it would take the person to even be ready to want to help him or herself.

After reading this article, I would say the main character mentioned in this article does have strong determination to fight against his own gambling addiction

I agree. This is the reason why a lot of people are addicted to gambling and no one is stopping them making them more plunged through in to that addiction and people around them is not giving them some determination, some ray of light that can help them to save that one certain gambler. There are a lot of gambler out there that can't be stopped from gambling but we are mistaken that they can't stop, we can make them stop if we have the determination to do that so. That is also what they need to be given, determination to stop and not determination to gamble more.

The easiest way to stop someone from gambling is to block his account. Of course not all of us keep everything on a bank account. Many people have cash and in my case there's more cash. Cutting the money flow won't help much if the the gambler doesn't want to change. He'll use all his cash, go to his boss and request to be paid in cash from now on, he'll sell his car, take a loan. He'll do anything to get more money just like drug addicts are ready to prostitute themselves to get high.

One of the ways to fight gambling addiction is admitting that there is a problem for a start. Its until when that happen no matter the method recommended, it will still not be effective. The app only came in handy when the individual concerned is already making frantic effort to quit and when there is a relapse, it came as a way to ensure that control is there to exercise some restraint. With constant conscious effort to quit gambling, it will surely materialise.

One of the ways to fight gambling addiction is admitting that there is a problem for a start. Its until when that happen no matter the method recommended, it will still not be effective. The app only came in handy when the individual concerned is already making frantic effort to quit and when there is a relapse, it came as a way to ensure that control is there to exercise some restraint. With constant conscious effort to quit gambling, it will surely materialise.

Acceptance is the first step to any cure of the problem. Till the time one do not start admitting the solutions will not be the boon for that person. Admitting also help the person to realize that some went wrong and need to work so that in order to come out of it and never repeat the same mistake again.

Acceptance is the first step to any cure of the problem. Till the time one do not start admitting the solutions will not be the boon for that person. Admitting also help the person to realize that some went wrong and need to work so that in order to come out of it and never repeat the same mistake again.

But only acceptance wont help. The person needs to be determined and willing to give up their habits for the better future - for themselves and their family future. Many gamblers do realize the effect that it has on them but few fail to take action. They go into a depressed state where they start doing things that normal humans are not expected to do.

Those who do change or start to change their habits are the ones who need help of such features. For them regular swaying of the mind away from the thoughts of gambling is necessary to break the vicious cycle.

I agree. This is the reason why a lot of people are addicted to gambling and no one is stopping them making them more plunged through in to that addiction and people around them is not giving them some determination, some ray of light that can help them to save that one certain gambler. There are a lot of gambler out there that can't be stopped from gambling but we are mistaken that they can't stop, we can make them stop if we have the determination to do that so. That is also what they need to be given, determination to stop and not determination to gamble more.

But only acceptance wont help. The person needs to be determined and willing to give up their habits for the better future - for themselves and their family future. Many gamblers do realize the effect that it has on them but few fail to take action. They go into a depressed state where they start doing things that normal humans are not expected to do.

Those who do change or start to change their habits are the ones who need help of such features. For them regular swaying of the mind away from the thoughts of gambling is necessary to break the vicious cycle.

Various ways for someone to overcome their addiction. Actually all depends on our intentions, you can limit the number of your bets every day. if the allotment of bets has expired, you should stop not forcing to play again because it will make your money run out.

Yes, to give up the habits that probably stop them into addictive on that gambling and accept the reality that gambling won't help them anymore and need to stop.

They helped me overcome my addiction and it is thanks  to my wife and my family.

Sometimes, it just only takes something to draw us back, as so many people know they are addicted, but their actions is just something they could not help, but having something to draw your attention to the negativity of what you are doing, and then not being able to access some funds will limit you by force and that is the idea, but really, you have to want it.

Banking app? Whoa that's quite unheard of, I know there are so many personal growth app out there that do help but never thought that a banking app will do the job perfect.

It is crazy to see what gambling addiction can do to someone lookong at his story. Addiction is actually one hard thing to get out from and to know an app can really be of help is quite amazing. What do you think?

The problem with blocking or banning yourself is that you can unblock or unban yourself. People can just open up a new account at another Bank and transfer gambling money from the one Bank that are blocked to the other Bank that are not blocked.

We had a similar situation with people banning themselves from Brick n mortar casinos, where they ban themselves and when they get desperate enough, just unban themselves again or simply switching to another casino where they are not banned. <or to gamble online>

Go to the real root of the problem and address that problem, before you start banning yourself or blocking your Bank accounts.  ::)

I don't like this "so called" apps that can help with gambling addiction, or any other addiction. I don't gamble for some time already, after so much gambling with bitcoins and fiat. Cure is other activity, I'm so busy that I can't allow myself to spend couple hours sitting and gambling when I have so many things to do, when I'm free I can't wait to lay down and sleep, I rest when ever I find some free time.
You can talk about stopping, but if you don't find anything else to take your energy there isn't app that can help you. Find some activity where you will spend time, energy and you will stop with gambling.

Not everyone has that willpower to stop by them self and due to which we have cure therapy etc so that they can bring such addicted people out of it else and anything related to it be an app, online based some learning or techniques which will help people to have self control is extremely important.

Not everyone has that willpower to stop by them self and due to which we have cure therapy etc so that they can bring such addicted people out of it else and anything related to it be an app, online based some learning or techniques which will help people to have self control is extremely important.

Not everyone has that willpower to stop by them self and due to which we have cure therapy etc so that they can bring such addicted people out of it else and anything related to it be an app, online based some learning or techniques which will help people to have self control is extremely important.

I think they have something that will help them to know the limitations for playing gambling, and the best is they can control how much money they want to use for the gambling game.

gambling addiction is as bad as any chemical one

-snip-

This is perfect, but i do not think that it is going to apply to all the other people in here that are suffering a lot because of this.

Gambling is not something easy to threat, and you should know that.

This is perfect, but i do not think that it is going to apply to all the other people in here that are suffering a lot because of this.

Gambling is not something easy to threat, and you should know that.

Maybe this is just an advertisement, but it is something relevant too.

Control is something that we have to realize that an addicted gambler has lost already and for most people who know that already, how to gain that control back is something that they are eagerly looking for. I have seen a lot of gamblers try to visit shrinks, support groups and a lot of therapies just to be able to get out of it. As long as you are able to find something to control you when you cannot control yourself then it will always be of help until you are able to finally gain that control back, and this app of course sound like something that can be very helpful.

And here I am with a bank app that will help me become a gambler much more easily.

My bank doesn't charge a single cent for sending money to one of the sportsbooks in my country. I can send money to that sportsbook, however big the amount is, for free. Also I can send money from that sportsbook to my account for free as well.

When the bank is closed after 17 pm the bank doesn't allow you to send money anywhere you want, for example I can't send money from my bank account to my wives bank account at nights. However I can send money to the sportsbook for free and than withdraw that from the sportsbook to my wife's account at anytime of the day I want. It is both free compared to charged and it is 24/7 anytime you want. They literally partnered together to make it easier for you to gamble.

I actually found this interesting story of a former addicted gambler who was able to use a bank application made specifically for those who are trying to fight their addiction to help his situation out and I thought sharing it to the community for further discussion would make some sense or if it can probably help someone to cure his or her addiction as well.


It is crazy to see what gambling addiction can do to someone lookong at his story. Addiction is actually one hard thing to get out from and to know an app can really be of help is quite amazing. What do you think?

learning control ourselves is difficult, but we need to keep try because this can help us to prevent from greediness and we can also prevent from losing too much money. A gambler will know when the time to play and when the time to stop the game and leave the gambling places and this is because he can control himself from the gambling games itself. And if more people can control themselves in gambling games, then perhaps, the addicting person in gambling will also reduce.

This is perfect, but i do not think that it is going to apply to all the other people in here that are suffering a lot because of this.

Gambling is not something easy to threat, and you should know that.

Maybe this is just an advertisement, but it is something relevant too.

I believe the essence basically is to be able to find something to control you just in case you cannot control yourself. The thing with gambling addiction is that there is always this force that keeps pushing you to want to do what you really do not wish you will be doing.

It is the way things are with gambling as it tends to play with your mind and it is the way you approach it that would matter how you are able to end up being able to control yourself or not. We all know for most people, that is something that we sure know cannot be easy when it comes to control, as they tend to find it a bit hard to do, and in this case of this app, it is sure a good start.

Technology addiction usually can be handle with technology either so it's great to see it happen.
When technology getting advance, people should be aware of it because we use technology for efficient purpose , not being control by them,right ?

Yes, learning the advantage and disadvantage of digital gambling can be useful like this moment !

Yeah the most horrible thing I think are the people reacting to this by saying "you're a moron" or "just kill yourself, that's why poor people are poor".

There something about gambling that makes you lose control, it makes something to your brain...

This is perfect, but i do not think that it is going to apply to all the other people in here that are suffering a lot because of this.

Gambling is not something easy to threat, and you should know that.

Maybe this is just an advertisement, but it is something relevant too.

Your article is interesting and it really might help others who wants to avoid gambling, or be able to beat their addiction too like yours, and sharing this experience might help others and it is very interesting.

Yes its very hard to stay away from gambling especially when you are already addicted to it, well maybe this banking app is really helpful so why not to give it a try.

I’ve already heard so many stories of gambling addiction and only few of them are able to survive on that, because its really hard so if you are doing gambling today better to control yourself now before you notice that you are already addict in gambling.

Zero empathy from those people, I agree there is something to gambling which is a native reaction in the brain.

It is crazy to see what gambling addiction can do to someone lookong at his story. Addiction is actually one hard thing to get out from and to know an app can really be of help is quite amazing. What do you think?

Yes, gambling addiction is that much cruel and I'm challenging that you cannot imagine how it could be. If you look into the problems of those addicted gamblers facing in their day today life then probably you will get chances to realize their world of problems. Literally, gambling addiction is slowly killing their happier life and pushing them into darkness of underworld. Here more pathetic part is, even they want to get rid of their addictions, they are unable to achieve that themselves.

This is the reason why external helps are always effective. There will be no wonder when some app is capable of deviating their focus and engaging them into new things so that they could be slowly recovering from their addictions. It is possible but only if gamblers are agreeing to cooperate. Without their cooperation, it may lead to further collapse.

Gambling is more addictive one once we get into gambling we don't definitely get out from it because it do some big mind changing moment for us so we cannot do anything against that will you are gamble if a person get out of it is miracle so we can definitely more prevention from that.

Gambling is more addictive one once we get into gambling we don't definitely get out from it because it do some big mind changing moment for us so we cannot do anything against that will you are gamble if a person get out of it is miracle so we can definitely more prevention from that.

Would you still say the same if it's a disease? My thinking is gambling addiction is a disease and the patient needs special treatment. If you break your legs then you head towards hospital to meet the orthopaedic, if you have teeth problem you go to the dentist but if you have problems in mind then what do you do?

Fist it's very difficult to convince yourself that you have mental issue. I mentally sick person never realize that he is mentally ill. He sees everything from his view and find it logical. Gambling addiction is a kind of mental illness and I guess close relatives can help the person instead of blaming him for the disease.

This is really odd but atleast this is a proof that anything would be a scapegoat on your gambling addiction. You can find fun in anything, sometimes those things that you find boring before. The will power makes it happen. The person really wants to overcome addiction and thats why he succeeds. Its really hard to  do this but like they say, no pain, no gain.

When you are addict in gambling, for sure you are already mentally sick because you can't control yourself anymore and you only focus on gambling. If there is someone that you think can help you to get out on that addiction, better to seek for guidance.

In gambling, you only get pain in the long run, though there is some gain but it will just lose later on so its useless. Addiction is not good at all, we want to end it but its hard to it but don't lose hope there's still a way to get out on a dark place.

Pain would be more than gain in gambling if people does not control them self and keep continue gambling for the longer period. Losing money would keep on increasing longer you play. So addiction rate becomes higher in gambling and thus if anything which can help those users to break the addiction is highly welcome.

Addiction of any kind are bad for the human body, plus its a frustration really. If there are remedies that work to combat such addictions, particularly gambling those should be made available. It could save many people.

totally agreed on this one.addiction must be stoppen in any possible ways

I have known some people that until now struggling in this same situation,but no one can help them because they don’t want others enter their personal problem

Doing this method might helps other to do so and become successful in to quitting addiction and maybe i can share this to them

I have known some people that until now struggling in this same situation,but no one can help them because they don’t want others enter their personal problem

Doing this method might helps other to do so and become successful in to quitting addiction and maybe i can share this to them

I think that apps will helps the gamblers to solve their problem for using money in gambling. They can start reducing their activity in the gambling, and of course, they can also reduce to used the money. By helped from their banks to make a limit for spending in the other account which is unknown, I am sure this way will prevent the gamblers to use more money. But the gamblers need to have always remembered that he is on the way to stop from gambling forever.

the limit on the use of money on each account in the bank application will automatically reset every day. and you could just spend your money the next day. the point is don't just rely on the application to limit your gambling expenses, you need special fund allocation and self control

the limit on the use of money on each account in the bank application will automatically reset every day. and you could just spend your money the next day. the point is don't just rely on the application to limit your gambling expenses, you need special fund allocation and self control

I think a person can also set a limit my himself. They dont need to depend on an app for everything in life. At times using your brain to do more work has a positive impact on your health than relying on an app to remind you to do the same. We should stop being lazy and being allowing robots to do our jobs and take be the control on our own hands.

The app can give a false sense of control to the person using it and thats no good at all. Expending too much is a common thing but gaining the control to spend as per need needs practice.

I think a person can also set a limit my himself. They dont need to depend on an app for everything in life. At times using your brain to do more work has a positive impact on your health than relying on an app to remind you to do the same. We should stop being lazy and being allowing robots to do our jobs and take be the control on our own hands.

The app can give a false sense of control to the person using it and thats no good at all. Expending too much is a common thing but gaining the control to spend as per need needs practice.

No matter what you guys say the app is still useful because it does already help alot of people not just to control their bad habits but also to save cash as well for other important spendings . if you are still addicted dont blame the bots and apps or any other addictive stuffs because that arent their problem anymore but the problem is on you   .

I think a person can also set a limit my himself. They dont need to depend on an app for everything in life. At times using your brain to do more work has a positive impact on your health than relying on an app to remind you to do the same. We should stop being lazy and being allowing robots to do our jobs and take be the control on our own hands.

The app can give a false sense of control to the person using it and thats no good at all. Expending too much is a common thing but gaining the control to spend as per need needs practice.

No matter what you guys say the app is still useful because it does already help alot of people not just to control their bad habits but also to save cash as well for other important spendings . if you are still addicted dont blame the bots and apps or any other addictive stuffs because that arent their problem anymore but the problem is on you   .

From my opinion addiction happens when the user himself doesn't know how to handle situations while he is into gambling. Whether it is winning or losing, the user should have the mentality to react in a cool manner. If one can do this, he doesn't need any such app to get out of addiction. He himself have control when to stop and how much need to be spend.

Some doctors say gambling addiction is more dangerous than alcohol. Depending on gambling in some countries, this leads to suicide and needs to find a cure for him. It's easy to see how gambling addicts, of course, do not go from casinos, but they always say that they are not addicts. We need to be careful that it can be fatal for us. This is a gambler's story and has millions of addicts who do not know how to control themselves.