How to block gambling transactions on Monzo

A UK app bank whose gambling block is the most flexible one published by any bank we checked — you choose the cooldown yourself, up to a year. This page covers Monzo current account and Monzo debit card.

Public documentation for Monzo reviewed on August 24, 2026 · compiled by Cashout

Guide updated 2026-09-18. Based on public documentation, not testing inside customer accounts. Availability and exceptions can differ by product.

The short answer

Monzo documents an opt-in gambling block for Monzo current account and Monzo debit card. You set it yourself, from 2 days to 1 year. Monzo: “If you choose to turn the block off, you must wait out your cooldown period before we lift the block.” You cannot shorten the cooldown during it either — changing the cooldown setting is itself blocked until it expires. And if you have ever talked to Monzo's team about your gambling, you cannot switch the block off in the app at all: you have to message them, and they will ask “a few friendly, non-judgmental questions” first. Card payments to any business using the gambling merchant category code. Monzo: “Every time you use your Monzo card, the business you're paying sends us a code that tells us what kind of service they provide. Gambling companies use a specific category code.”

How do I turn on the Monzo gambling block?

1 Open the Monzo app and tap the three dots at the bottom right corner of your card on the Home screen
2 Tap Manage account, then Gambling block
3 Set your cooldown period — anywhere from 2 days to 1 year. This is the number that matters: it is how long you will have to wait if you later try to switch the block off
4 Confirm. The block is on immediately; only the removal is delayed
5 If the menu has moved, message the support team in-app — Monzo's own gambling page says the team will turn it on with you and explain how it works

Do it in the bank's own app — monzo.com/gambling-block is Monzo's own page on it.

How do I turn off the Monzo gambling block?

Cooling-off: You set it yourself, from 2 days to 1 year. Monzo: “If you choose to turn the block off, you must wait out your cooldown period before we lift the block.” You cannot shorten the cooldown during it either — changing the cooldown setting is itself blocked until it expires. And if you have ever talked to Monzo's team about your gambling, you cannot switch the block off in the app at all: you have to message them, and they will ask “a few friendly, non-judgmental questions” first.
You set it?: Yes — you choose the length when you switch the block on. Pick the longest one you can stomach; you will not get another chance until it expires.
What it covers: Card payments to any business using the gambling merchant category code. Monzo: “Every time you use your Monzo card, the business you're paying sends us a code that tells us what kind of service they provide. Gambling companies use a specific category code.”
Launched: June 2018

If you are here to switch it off: you can start that now, but you cannot finish it now. The block comes off at the end of the cooling-off period above and not a minute sooner, and no amount of messaging support shortens it — that is the entire reason the feature exists. Switching the block on is instant. Only switching it off is slow.

Worth saying plainly, because you already know it: the urge that sent you looking for this will be gone long before the cooldown is. What to do with the next twenty minutes is the more useful page if that is where you are.

What doesn't it cover?

Bank transfers, unless you ask. Monzo is explicit: “These blocks are only for card payments. But if you'd like to block other payments, like bank transfers, just let us know.” Send that message in the same sitting — a transfer to a betting account or a crypto exchange is the obvious way round a card block.
Miscoded merchants. Monzo: “sometimes transactions aren't tagged with the correct information, meaning these transactions bypass any blocks, and if this happens you'll still be charged.” Tell Monzo when one gets through and they will look at adding that merchant, but they cannot reverse the payment.
Deposits routed through a crypto exchange. Buying crypto is a normal card purchase to the coding system — the gambling code never appears, so the block never fires.
Money moved to a second account at another bank and spent from there.
Cash. An ATM withdrawal followed by a cash deposit at a betting shop involves no gambling-coded transaction at any point.

What should I do alongside the Monzo block?

In this order, tonight, while the resolve is there.

1 Turn the block on with the longest cooldown you can stomach, not the shortest. The delay is the entire product.
2 Message the team in the same session and ask them to block bank transfers too, and to lower your daily card and withdrawal limits — Monzo lists both as things its team will do, but neither is self-serve.
3 Add GAMSTOP, which shuts you out of every online gambling site licensed in Great Britain at once. Monzo links it from its own gambling page.
4 Put a device blocker on top for the offshore and crypto sites no register or card code reaches.

Is a bank block enough on its own?

A card control does not close a gambling account or necessarily restrict other payment methods. Consider combining it with: ban yourself from the betting apps, GAMSTOP and the other national self-exclusion schemes, and a gambling blocker on your devices. The full method is in the guide to blocking gambling transactions at your bank. If you want the number that makes the case, work out what this is costing you a year.

Money in more than one place?

Check controls on each account you hold; restrictions on one card do not automatically apply to another.

Or see every bank's gambling block compared .

Frequently asked questions

Does Monzo have a gambling block?

How do I turn off the Monzo gambling block?

You can request it, but it does not come off on demand. You set it yourself, from 2 days to 1 year. Monzo: “If you choose to turn the block off, you must wait out your cooldown period before we lift the block.” You cannot shorten the cooldown during it either — changing the cooldown setting is itself blocked until it expires. And if you have ever talked to Monzo's team about your gambling, you cannot switch the block off in the app at all: you have to message them, and they will ask “a few friendly, non-judgmental questions” first.

What doesn't Monzo stop?

Bank transfers, unless you ask. Monzo is explicit: “These blocks are only for card payments. But if you'd like to block other payments, like bank transfers, just let us know.” Send that message in the same sitting — a transfer to a betting account or a crypto exchange is the obvious way round a card block. Miscoded merchants. Monzo: “sometimes transactions aren't tagged with the correct information, meaning these transactions bypass any blocks, and if this happens you'll still be charged.” Tell Monzo when one gets through and they will look at adding that merchant, but they cannot reverse the payment. Deposits routed through a crypto exchange. Buying crypto is a normal card purchase to the coding system — the gambling code never appears, so the block never fires.

Is a bank gambling block enough on its own?

A payment block does not close a gambling account. Consider GAMSTOP for participating Great Britain-licensed online operators and a device blocker; confirm the scope and limitations of each.

Build a plan beyond payment controls.

Cashout is preparing an iOS app with self-exclusion guidance, device blocking and support for urges. Enroll directly with the official program or operator; joining our waitlist does not enroll you or change your bank settings.