Gambling block
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Our gambling block feature is available to help customers plan and manage their personal credit card and debit card spend by preventing the authorisation of transactions which are registered under the merchant category code ‘Betting/Casino Gambling’.

The gambling block feature is available on eligible personal credit cards and debit cards.

The Gambling Block is a feature that stops certain types of transactions that you can make. If you need extra care in relation to your gambling and the banking services we provide, please reach out at 132 032 or visit your local branch.

Simply sign in to your Online Banking and activate gambling block in the Card Services menu or call our Customer Care team on 132 032 between 8am - 8pm Sydney Time, 7 days to activate this option. For more information, please refer to the relevant Terms and Conditions for your credit card or debit card.
Frequently asked questions
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What is the gambling block feature?

The gambling block feature allows the primary credit cardholder or individual debit cardholder to request gambling transactions, categorised as betting or casino, to be blocked for their card.

For joint accounts, each debit card operates individually and only the individual cardholder can turn gambling block on or off.

For credit cards, only the primary cardholder or account holder can turn gambling block on or off for their card and any additional cards.

How does it work?

The gambling block feature is designed to help customers manage their credit card and debit card spend. This feature allows the cardholder to request us to prevent authorisations from merchants registered under the Merchant Category ‘Betting/Casino Gambling’ from being approved.

For debit cards, only the individual cardholder can activate the gambling block for their individual card. For credit cards, only the primary cardholder can activate the gambling block.

To request this option please sign in to Online Banking or call Customer Care on 132 032.

Are all gambling transactions prevented?

No, there are instances when we can’t identify the transaction as a gambling transaction, for example, where the merchant processes some gambling transactions but their primary business is categorised under another Merchant Category e.g. purchasing lottery tickets from newsagents.

There are also other situations where we may not be able to comply with a request to decline authorisation of gambling related transactions. These include:

  • when it is a recurring transaction that you have authorised,

  • where you use available credit to use BPAY or to draw down cash from an ATM to make a payment,

  • where our systems are "off-line", or otherwise impaired or interrupted,

  • where you make a payment using BPAY or to withdraw cash from an ATM,

  • where we don’t receive the transaction authorisation request for our review and for processing by our system,

  • For credit cards linked to deposit accounts, we're unable to block:

    • eftpos transactions where 'SAV' or 'CHQ' is selected
    • Contactless payments where the merchant has chosen not to process the transaction through Visa or MasterCard®.

To activate the gambling block feature on your credit or debit card please sign in to Online Banking or call Customer Care on 132 032.

What are the benefits of activating the gambling block option?

Gambling activities can provide recreation and entertainment for many people. However, for some individuals it can lead to financial hardship, affecting not just the individual but their family and community. The gambling block feature is designed to help customers to manage their credit and debit card spend.

Gambling transactions on credit facilities are normally regarded as ‘cash in advance’ and may attract higher interest rates. Preventing gambling transactions from being authorised enables you to exercise more control over your credit card and debit card spend.

How long will it take for gambling transactions to be prevented once the request is made?
Sign in to Online Banking or call our Customer Care team between 8am - 8pm Sydney Time, 7 days on 132 032 to have the gambling block activated that day.
Can cardholders remove the gambling block?

Yes, for debit cards, the individual cardholder can remove the gambling block. If you are under 18, you will not be able to remove the gambling block.

For credit cards, only the primary cardholder can remove the gambling block.

They can do this by either signing in to Online Banking or calling Customer care on 132 032. It may take up to 2 business days to be processed.

Can any cardholder activate or deactivate the gambling block option?
For debit cards, individual cardholder can activate or deactivate the gambling block option for their individual card. However, if you are under 18, you will not be able to remove the gambling block. For credit cards, only the primary cardholder can activate or deactivate the gambling block feature.
Can a joint account holder activate or deactivate the gambling block on all cards associated with a deposit account?
For a joint account, each card operates individually and only the individual cardholder can authorise the activation or deactivation of the gambling block for their debit card.
Are there any scenarios where gambling block is applied automatically?
Yes, if the debit cardholder is under 18 years of age, the gambling block is enabled on the card by default. This will automatically be switched off after the cardholder turns 18 years old. However, if the cardholder turns 18 on a weekend, the block will be lifted on the 2nd business day after the birthday. This feature is dependant on cardholder's date of birth provided to us being accurate. Gambling block is applied automatically on the Flex Card, Lite Card and for PartPay transactions.
Are there any automatic blocks applied to debit cards for cardholders under the age of 18?
Yes, additional blocks are enabled by default on the card. We may decline some transactions on the Westpac Debit Mastercard based on the type of merchant. While this adds an extra layer of protection, it may not prevent all transactions with higher risk merchants. This will automatically be switched off when the cardholder turns 18 years old.
If you wish to speak to someone about gambling, Gambling Help Online provides free, confidential support for anyone affected by gambling. You can chat to a counsellor online by visiting gamblinghelponline.org.au. You can also speak to a counsellor by calling Gambler’s Helpline on 1800 858 858.
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