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
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
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- Money withdrawn or transferred by you or an additional cardholder at ATMs, online, or over the counter at any CommBank branch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.

