TIL my bank has a “gambling lock” feature: https://www.commbank.com.au/retail/netbank/gamblinglock
this should be turned on by default for everyone and every account, IMO
sorry, I had no idea they’d be weird and gate access to support documentation
Self service locks
We’ve introduced a digital self-service gambling lock to support you if you want to take a break or stop gambling on your credit or debit card.
In a few simple steps, you can lock your card from gambling transactions via either NetBank or the CommBank App.
As an added support, once a lock is switched on, there’s a 48-hour cooling-off period needed to turn it off.
and
How it works
The CommBank credit card gambling and cash block applies to:
- Most gambling transactions, such as TAB, online gambling sites and lottery tickets
- Other transactions we consider to be cash equivalents, such as money transfers or travellers cheques
- Money withdrawn or transferred by you or an additional cardholder at ATMs, online, or over the counter at any CommBank branch
If you ask us to apply a block, we’ll stop most cash advances and cash-equivalent transactions, including gambling transactions that come to us for authorisation.
What about an alcohol lock? Porn lock? Overspending lock?
I think it’s nice the feature is available, but a default opt-out is corporate babysitting and I would immediately close an account that opted me in automatically.
i am weary of absolute statements, because it’s rare to encounter something that is 100% good or 100% evil (but i won’t rule it out, because that in itself would be an absolute statement, haha)
i agree with disliking corporate babysitting in general, but i think context matters and i won’t rule out the possibility that specific examples of corporate babysitting might align with my values or (by my own measure) seem to be a net good
for example, the UK laws requiring ISPs to block pornography except where users have opted-in is a great way for the government to produce a list of people they can blackmail, because use of pornography is considered embarassing and shameful (clarification: i consider this net-harmful babysitting)
but i consider this gambling lock to be net-positive
I’m curious to discuss reasons why having to opt-in to commercial gambling is a net positive/negative
Agreed. It really has to be opt in only. Advertise it or something but it has to be the users choice
Interesting, what does it do? Think your link is behind an authentication lock. Just see a login screen
Looks like this.
This looks pretty fair, since a lot of online casinos are dubiously legal to begin with.
