Gambling help

Gambling can be an enjoyable leisure activity when done in moderation and it comes in lots of different forms. This could be placing a bet, playing in an online casino, or purchasing a lottery ticket. However, for some gambling can get out of control and cause harm. This is when it starts to have a negative impact on your finances, relationships, health or work.

If you feel your gambling or someone else’s gambling may be causing you harm, there is help available. 

Signs your gambling may be causing harm to you, or someone close to you:

•  You’re struggling to pay for the basics – such as rent or your mortgage, bills, food and other essential costs, as you’ve spent your money on gambling.
•  Your business finances are being impacted by gambling.
•  Your debt has increased due to your gambling spend.
•  You feel stressed or worried about the impact gambling is having on your business or personal finances, relationships or health.
•  You may be spending significant time on gambling or hiding your gambling from others.
•  You start to withdraw from other people or activities.

If you are worried about how gambling is impacting you, there are steps you can take to help yourself:

•  Pay your important bills as soon as possible, so you’re less likely to gamble that money.
•  Think about planning other things to do at times when you might be tempted to gamble (such as sporting activities or seeing friends who don’t gamble, for example).
•  Don’t bottle up your concerns: Talk to someone, whether it’s a friend, a family member, a colleague or a professional.
•  If you have a Santander Mastercard, you can call us to block gambling transactions. This will block most gambling payments you make with your card. There’s a time delay on our gambling block which means that gambling transactions will still be blocked for 48 hours after you request to remove the gambling block. The decision to gamble can sometimes be an impulsive one, so the time delay will give you a little more time to reflect.
• If you have a debit or cash card, we can reduce your daily cash withdrawal limit at the cash machine from the standard £300 to £0 or £60. This may help you to reduce access to cash where your circumstances may need it. To arrange this, please call us.