Australian bank launches app to block online gambling transactions

Australian bank Westpac is releasing an app to block online gambling transactions.

Australia.- The Australian bank Westpac will allow its customers to block online gambling transactions with a new app.

Launched, two weeks ago, the app has already been used more than 2,500 times, the banks says.

The app works both on mobiles and desktops. It prevents customers from making transactions with an online gambling site using debit and credit cards that belong to the Mastercard franchise.

Although different financial entities have applied their own measures to stop online gambling transactions, Westpac says its app is a further tailored solution.

Anne Ruston, minister for amilies and social services, said: “Westpac’s digital gambling block will give Australians a convenient, sensible, and immediate way to manage their spending and minimize gambling-related harm.

“It is great to see that groups in the industry have identified that gambling is a serious cause for concern and are taking steps to let their customers regulate the industry.”

Catherine Fitzpatrick, Westpac director of customer vulnerability, stressed the importance of the app at a time whenonline gambling addiction increased due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She said: “We have seen through COVID-19, as an industry that there have been a lot more people turning to digital (gaming) and a lot more people have been gambling.

“The new feature complements our existing service where customers can also call us to request a gambling block to be applied to their card to stop certain transactions, including at casinos, sports betting agencies, and online gambling.”