Email Warning From Bank RE: Gambling Activity

[newcustomeroffer]

Not that I'm a particularly big gambler but I do have a specific current account that I have used for a few gambling transactions over the past few weeks and months. Nothing substantial, in the 3 figures bracket in total I'd say.

Got an email from the bank today which begins:

Dear
We’re getting in touch because your recent gambling activity has been high

If you feel that gambling is having a negative impact on you, support is available.

Then goes into ways to block gambling transactions etc. Must say I was a little taken aback by it all, it's not something I've seen as part of the affordability checks plans so I'm assuming it must be a proactive measure by the bank.

Anyone else had this kind of thing? Thoughts on it being good/bad/intrusive etc?

[gm2891]

Is it HSBC? They seem very sensitive. Once they blocked me from buying chips in a real casino for 1k.

[newcustomeroffer]

Is it HSBC? They seem very sensitive. Once they blocked me from buying chips in a real casino for 1k.

No, it was Santander. They haven't actually stopped any transactions for me (yet) but I wouldn't be surprised at some point.

[DaftDog]

Is it HSBC? They seem very sensitive. Once they blocked me from buying chips in a real casino for 1k.

Lol, I doubt it. HSBC were bust for laundering drug cartel money a few years ago.

[Madz]

Is it HSBC? They seem very sensitive. Once they blocked me from buying chips in a real casino for 1k.

Yeah, they dont seem to mind laundering billions for Iran, Sudan and any other countries on the sanctioned lists, but God forbid you gamble with your own money!

https://www.learnsignal.com/blog/hsbc-money-laundering/

[NoDepositCasinos]

Not that I'm a particularly big gambler but I do have a specific current account that I have used for a few gambling transactions over the past few weeks and months. Nothing substantial, in the 3 figures bracket in total I'd say.

Got an email from the bank today which begins:



Then goes into ways to block gambling transactions etc. Must say I was a little taken aback by it all, it's not something I've seen as part of the affordability checks plans so I'm assuming it must be a proactive measure by the bank.

Anyone else had this kind of thing? Thoughts on it being good/bad/intrusive etc?

I've never received that type of email (though, to be honest, I don't gamble often), but I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, the language is kind and it's a good gesture to offer options, but on the other hand, receiving a message that says "your recent gambling activity" would make me feel watched and judged by some unknown standard.

In short, I think it's a well-intentioned gesture, but the bank shouldn't be commenting on my personal activities as long as they're legal.

[Pokerface]

I believe this is a good email with good intentions. I think they are just checking in to be prudent and offer any assistance if needed.

[PaulEchere]

Even though generally the intentions behind the email might be good, the fact that it was sent in the first place seems a bit too much. Too intrusive for my linking for sure.

On the other hand, having all that customer data and not "analyzing" it would be a massive waste of a valuable resource and I doubt that any financial institution would refrain from doing that.

Therefore, whether a bank tells you about your gambling transactions or not - they definitely know about them in any case.

[newcustomeroffer]

I guess the simple solution is to use an e-wallet with a positive balance and just have that as the 'betting account', that way it keeps the transactions away from prying eyes. Sad really that governments, regulators, banks etc all seem to think they know better than the human being in control of their own finances.

[TheGooner]

I guess the simple solution is to use an e-wallet with a positive balance

Or Crypto.

[edgarf76]

I second crypto.

[casinobonusguy]

Years ago Scotiabank closed my accounts due to gambling transactions but it was a knee jerk reaction to USA gaming laws as 30% of their assets were in USA. They actually quoted us gaming laws in the notice I had 30 days to move my accounts. I am one of 27 customers who filed a lawsuit ,not for money but to preserve our ability to sue at a later time. It was my first introduction to a gaming lawyer In Ontario if you exceed $1250 in any month you will get letters like this lol .My friend won $8500 with 888 and he put 3000 back in over 30 days and he shared all the correspondence including asking for copies of his income taxes and proof of his income .

[Rodrigueztoman]

In my country, Many banks do stop payments to go through if I am using my card on a casino site.
And It has happened a lot that is why I now only use crypto casino websites.