A banking app helped me beat my addiction

[nl247]

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.

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."

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?

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[The Sceptical Chymist]

That's a really interesting article, and yeah gambling addiction is as bad as any chemical one.  I've seen it destroy lives--it just does it in a different fashion than alcoholism, for example.

What I'm wondering is whether that app could help with crypto gambling addiction.  The article doesn't mention anything about that, and I would think that's important.  The bank can block transactions, but crypto obviously doesn't have anything to do with banks.  Unless you have dice sites blocked, you could still gamble pretty easily.

Edit:

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.

Agree with that completely, but whether they're trading crypto or using it for casino gambling, the whole space seems to be filled with gamblers who've probably got a serious problem with it whether they realize it or not.

[Wendigo]

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.

[Harlot]

The good thing about this system is that even after the 48 hours where the block will be switch off the user who will be allowed to play during that time still will be controlled because of the bank account withdrawal limit which is also another nice addition. Hopefully the banks are also the ones putting up the maximum limits depending on their clients as if their clients are the ones setting up high limits their old habits won't die down. Of course this would only work if their clients don't have other modes or ways to bet in casinos.

[josephdd1]

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.

[milewilda]

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.

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.

[SyGambler]

I'm not sure if I'm right , but I guess I saw some comments many times here in the forums about fiat sites that have such thing so maybe all the legal gambling sites have an option with them to prevent the users from wagering with them ( I'm not 100% sure cause I have never played in a regulated fiat site )

the 48 hours freeze is something nice tho , this way cheating has consequences 

[Yatsan]

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.

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."

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?

Wow. That's a good idea. This article was worth to read. Gambling is a very hard enemy when it comes to addiction. Many people today are into it  because of the greedy attitude that they acquired. The attitude that they are into is not good in terms of savings. Because they will end up losing all of their savings. But with this app that helps other to save money. It is good and needs to ba aware of for those gamblers that cannot control theirselves.

[jacee]

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.

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.

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.

[maydna]

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.

[avikz]

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.

Right! But one thing we need to understand is that, the blocks are requested by the people to be placed on their account. Bank is not taking the lead in such block because legally they can't unless a customer asks for it. So it's the customers who made a concise decision to reduce gambling.

What about the people who have not made a concise decision to come out of gambling addiction?? I can think of one way to fight such addiction, by visually representing the gambling spend against their holdings and debt amount. Such kind of visual representation are actually helpful in understanding your current financial situation and it will help one to make a decision based on their previous habits of  gambling spend. The visual representation can be like below,



Psychologists say, that "the part of the brain responsible for seeing is more powerful and have more control on your decision making ability”. It can identify any concerning trend more quickly and sends a signal to the brain that prompts to the decision to stop or change that trend. It will help such people who have not made a decision to quit or reduce gambling spend based on the concerning trend that they are able to see from their banking website or app. Food for thought!

[eternalgloom]

Really great story, I think every bank should have features like that and not just for gambling.
I mean, so many people have problems with overspending in general, having the ability to temporarily lock away funds is really useful.

Don't forget that it's also possible to do this with Bitcoin. You can lock away coins in a time lock, if you really want to prevent yourself from spending too much.

Bitcoin time lock tutorial:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2415595.msg24712087#msg24712087

[haroldtee]

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.

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.

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.

Trust me, there is always a limit to what everyone can help you achieve in your life, and there is absolutely no way everyone will be busy monitoring every step you take or following you around to know if you are heading to a casino or visiting a gambling site. You have probably not seen what addiction does to people, it somehow puts them in a hole of their own, and then take them out from reality entirely and if you read the OP, you will really be able to get that picture.

I do not see any problem with this app and it is a very good development but it would also take someone who is ready to want to get help and from the look of things, it seems that gamblers actually know their predicament, but how to get out from it most of the time, is usually their problem and having something like this which is smart to know what you are actually using your funds for, is always a good start, but like I said, if you are not ready to want to get help, nothing can help you.

[Supercrypt]

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.

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.

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.

Come on, we all have things we are doing and someone who is an addict cannot turn out to be my own job when I have a lot to do to fend for myself and my family, so even while trying to help people, it takes some readiness to want to get out and something to put them in control when they even want to decide to go behind your back, and this is a very good app that can always help with that.

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.

As long as you do not have any money to gamble, that is a restriction on its own, and gradually when you start seeing how much you are saving over time, you will possibly start getting your mind tuned back to reality and the harm gambling has actually caused you over time just like in this guy's case.

[Betwrong]

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.

I think you were half joking talking about "biggest degenerates", but I agree with your last sentence. Few people realize how much some "traders" lose on a daily basis. And I think an app similar to that in the OP would help some of them too.

Sooner or later an analogous app will be invented for crypto gambling, but it will be possible only if gambling sites will agree to cooperate by providing all their deposit addresses for a data base which the app will be using.

[crwth]

Anyone who experiences losing a loved one would have a difficult time in life, whether they are an addict or not but the resulting things are probably either positive or negative. For addicts, they might want more of what they are addicted to, and at least Danny made the other path, to change and make it a turning point to improve. I think it is helpful to have that kind of feature in a bank where it detects those kinds of bets, but what is stopping him from using bitcoin as the currency? I hope he doesn't get addicted again.

[kurian]

That is a good idea. The 48 hours cooling off period and limit on withdrawal are good feature for someone who often lose control over his gambling activities. But, I doubt someone who are addicted to gambling would use these kind of apps for gambling.

[coinplus]

This is really a very great story I must say and I am impressed that we can see people in this world who actually know they need help from being an addicted gambler. From the look of things, it is obvious that a lot of gamblers know what is good for them and how addicted they are, but their mindset has been tuned and fashioned in a way that it has affected their mental judgment into doing what is right from them and unless they are able to see something to pull them back and control them otherwise, instead of their impulse controlling them, then it would be hard to get out from.

It is glaring from here, that this guy really had something to spark his interest to want to get out and a good thing he was able to find something that could help.

[BALIK]

Definitely a good idea to keep tracking of your expenses, not just for gambling, but for everyday life also. Surprisingly few people actually know how much money they've got coming in and going out, many of these people are actually net negative every week, but just don't track it so aren't aware. This can lead to a cliff drop moment where you suddenly realize you have absolutely no money. Better to stay on top of it now rather than have it smack you in the face at the worst of times.

Glad to hear your success bro.

[milewilda]

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.

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.

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.

I doubt no addicted gambler will definitely do such thing on letting others track on your spending when it comes to gambling even on members of the family unless if you are a type of person which
doesnt hide anything in all means but these are just on rare cases yet most people are way too similar when it comes to gambling activity, once addicted then there would always be a secretive behavior
and it would be obvious when its already severe.