Worried about gambling?

In 2023, a report by the UK Gambling Commission Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] suggested that over 1.3 million people in the UK may be at risk of falling into financial difficulties due to gambling.

Taking a chance to win some quick cash can be tempting. But if your gambling is becoming difficult to manage, you may start to feel the impact on your health, your relationships and your finances.

If you're ready to take action to stop or limit your gambling, our services can offer the support you need to regain control. 

Some common signs your gambling may be getting out of control can include 

• Spending more than you can afford to lose
• Chasing a losing bet by staking even more money
• Hiding your gambling habits from friends and family
• Building up gambling debts that you struggle to repay
• Withdrawing from social activities
• Gambling while drinking or using drugs 

If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or somebody you care about, it may be time to seek help. 

To turn off gambling transactions in the first direct App, all you need to do is follow these simple steps: 

1. Log into our App
2. If you have an iOS phone click the three lines on the bottom right of the screen. If you have an Android phone click the three lines at the top left of the screen
3. Select ‘Cards’ from the menu
4. Now select the ‘Set limits and controls’ button which will take you to a new screen
5. Next select ‘Gambling transactions’ under the card you want to manage
6. The next screen will now allow you to make your choice to switch gambling transactions on or off. 
7. To block gambling transactions across multiple accounts, repeat these steps across each of your first direct accounts.

You can turn gambling transactions on or off anytime, but you will not be able to make any gambling transactions for 3 days from the time when transactions are switched back on. This is a cooling off period so that you can make sure you have made the right decision.

To further help you to take control of your spending, you may find it useful to place a limit the amount of cash you can withdraw from an ATM at any one time. 

You can block all ATM cash withdrawals from your first direct card, or you can reduce the maximum withdrawal limit to as little as £10 per ATM transaction.

To set a daily limit on how much you can withdraw from an ATM using your first direct card, all you need to do is follow these steps:

1. Log into our App
2. If you have an iOS phone, click the three lines on the bottom right of the screen. If you have an Android phone, click the three lines at the top left of the screen
3. Select ‘Cards’ from the menu
4. Now select ‘Set Limits and controls’ button which will take you to a new screen
5. Select ATM withdrawals. You can either switch ATM withdrawals off to prevent all cash withdrawals, or set a daily withdrawal limit.
6. To change the daily limit on cash withdrawals, select Daily limit
7. The next screen will allow you to type the amount you’d like to set as the limit. This is available in multiples of £10 only. 
8. All ATM withdrawals will be declined once you reach your limit or if you have switched off ATM withdrawals.
9. If you have more than one first direct account, repeat these steps to manage the ATM withdrawal limits on each account. 

If you'd like to speak to somebody about getting your spending back under control, first direct are here to help. 

Our dedicated Money Coach Team can offer a practical, confidential and non-judgemental review of your finances to help you to get your incomings and outgoings back under control.

You can call our Money Coach Team on 03 455 873 951 to speak to somebody. Lines are open 9am-5.30pm Monday to Sunday.