Why did Starling block me from buying a EuroMillions ticket and lock my bank account for two days?
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I decided to buy a £2.50 EuroMillions ticket last week but my payment wouldn't go through, so I contacted my bank, Starling.
It said the EuroMillions ticket couldn't be bought because I have a gambling block on my account, which is something I don't ever recall asking for.
I asked Starling to lift it and its customer service representative said it was done but that my account was now blocked for two days – and there was no way to reverse this.
Is this right, it seems a bit harsh for a lottery ticket?
Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: The EuroMillions bumper jackpot has reached dizzying heights in recent weeks - including hitting £208million last Friday.
That wasn't won and the record breaking sum is still up for grabs tonight (Tuesday 10 June 2025).
It is noteworthy you do not recall asking for the bank's gambling block to be switched on for your account.
I contacted Starling Bank about your question and its spokesman pointed me to the bank's gambling policy on its website.
On Starling's website, gambling is defined as involving a person betting money or something of value against an outcome that is not within their control, in the hope of winning money or some kind of reward.
Betting on sports, horse racing or other sporting events constitutes gambling, Starling said.
Betting at a casino, playing slots or using an electronic gambling machine are also gambling, it adds.
'Games designed for gambling', such as bingo, blackjack or poker, also fall in scope for the definition of gambling, Starling said.
Crucially for your case, the following also, according to Starling, constitutes gambling: 'Playing instant win games or buying a lottery ticket.'
Starling is quite right to point out that harmful gambling is a serious issue that can cause people to lose control and bring harm to themselves or others around them.
A Starling spokesman told This is Money: 'Starling Bank was the first UK bank to introduce a gambling block.
'We did this in order to help protect our customers. Our gambling block is exactly what it sounds like.
'If you turn it on, you won’t be able to make payments with your card to most gambling merchants – online or in person - this includes the EuroMillions.
'When customers turn the block on, the app lets them know that they’ll have to wait 48 hours to gamble again - starting when they turn the block off. We also let them know that it’s not possible to override this delay.'
On its website, Starling suggests that you would need to switch on the gambling block in order for it to work. I'm not sure how or why it's been switched on in your case.
Starling's website does state its gambling block will not stop all 'gambling-related payments', including purchasing a lottery ticket at a supermarket or newsagent, placing a bet on a site that is not categorised as a gambling merchant, or gambling subscriptions that are paid by direct debit faster payments or bank transfers.
I note you had to wait 48 hours to to be able to buy a lottery ticket after the gambling block was switched off. This meant you could not buy a EuroMillions ticket for Friday in time.
While inconvenient for you, the 48-hour period is aimed at helping prevent people with a gambling problem from making impulse bets.
I imagine you have been left wondering what life would have been like with more than £208million in the bank. Unless you defy all the odds tonight, you may have to ponder a little while longer.
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