UK problem gamblers will have to wait 48 hours before bankers NatWest will let them deactivate a block on debit card gambling transactions.

On Monday, NatWest announced that customers who activate the debit card gambling block feature on the bank’s mobile app will require a 48-hour ‘cooling off’ period before being allowed to once again use their card for gambling transactions.

The new time-out mirrors a move announced by NatWest rival Barclays in September, although Barclays’ cooling-off period extended for 72 hours. The change followed a study by the GambleAware charity that suggested introducing more ‘friction’ into the process for customers looking to get back into the gambling game after a self-exclusion decision.

NatWest said internal data showed that it handled fewer gambling transactions as the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown took effect this spring, although the number of transactions began to creep back up following the lifting of these restrictions. (UK Gambling Commission surveys revealed that gambling activity underwent an initial surge but slowed in August, so this appears to be a ‘choose your own adventure’ scenario.)