LONDON—Barclays is the first bank in the U.K. to allow its customers to block payments to pubs, restaurants and gambling sites in an attempt to address consumer debt.
Barclays mobile banking users can now choose to block their ability to spend with certain types of retailers, in a move designed to put people struggling with addictions more in control of their finances, The Telegraph reported.
“The new feature could help those dealing with gambling problems to cut off their spending in betting shops and on gambling websites, for example,” The Telegraph said.