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Gambling support

Read time 2.5 min

We’re committed to improving the financial wellbeing of our customers, and we recognise that some may require assistance when it comes to controlling their gambling spend – a growing issue faced by our community.

Specialist support

If you’re a Bankwest customer, our specialist Financial Assist team can provide confidential support when it comes to:

  • Assisting with immediate banking needs
  • Providing financial hardship assistance
  • Discussing your financial wellbeing and control tools
  • Blocking gambling and cash transactions on your credit cards
  • Blocking online gambling on your debit cards
  • Connecting you to additional support services.

Chat to our specially trained Financial Assist team between 6am and 6pm AWST, Monday to Friday, on 1300 769 173.

Any information you share will remain confidential – we’ll clarify what kind of help you need and explain your options.

Apply a gambling block

You can apply a gambling block in the Bankwest App at any time.

When switched on, the block is applied immediately and helps prevent most gambling transactions on your debit, credit and virtual cards.

A gambling block must remain in place for at least 30 days.

How a gambling block works

Gambling block stops most transactions where a gambling merchant code is used.

What is blocked

  • Betting and gaming transactions
  • Online gambling transactions
  • Lottery ticket purchases.

Keep in mind

While a gambling block can help prevent many gambling transactions, it may not stop every transaction. For example:

  • Some gambling businesses may not use a gambling merchant code.
  • Lottery or gambling purchases made through newsagencies, venues or other retailers may not be identified as gambling transactions.
  • Some transactions may not come to us for authorisation.
  • ATM and cash withdrawals using a debit card aren’t blocked.

Debit cards

For joint accounts, the block only applies to the person who turns it on. Cards held by other account holders won’t be affected.

Credit cards

Only the primary cardholder can turn on a gambling block. The block will also apply to any additional cardholders.

A gambling block will also stop cash transactions on credit cards, including:

  • Cash advances
  • Money transfers
  • ATM cash withdrawals
  • Funds transferred through online banking, phone banking or ATMs.

If you’re an additional cardholder, you’ll need to ask the primary cardholder to turn on the block.

Remove a gambling block

A gambling block must remain in place for at least 30 days.

To request removal, call or message our Financial Assist team during business hours, Monday to Friday, 6am to 6pm AWST.

After your first request, you’ll need to wait 48 hours before contacting us again to confirm you still want the block removed.

Once we receive your second confirmation, the block will be removed immediately.

Additional gambling support

Call the Gambling Help Online support service on 1800 858 858. It’s free, confidential and available 24/7.

You can also visit the Gambling Help Online website to chat live with a professional counsellor or locate a local support service.

If English isn’t your first language, you can call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 on your behalf, free of charge.

Further reading